So the Troubadour and I are getting to know each other quite well.  I’ve been twice this week already- and I’ll be heading back tonight.  Third time’s always a charm, and there’s talk of getting me my own VIP parking space.  But mostly, I head there for the consistently great music.  Last night’s poison of choice was Red Arrow Messenger- a local L.A. band I’ve been following for a few months now, and they never disappoint.

The fab four model a folk-rock fusion that makes it hard not to get really into the tunes- and Jesse Nolan’s onstage antics will captivate even those with the attention span of a goldfish.

Kick starting the night with the debut of their most recent music video “Can’t Hold On” the packed room watched as the new tune unfolded in front of them.  The sound has evolved slightly from the slightly more Southern style “Murder Ballad” and is a little more Carolina Liar, but great all the same.

The truly unique thing about R.A.M. is their ability to switch up their song style with ease and charisma, making it hard not to fall in love with each tune in a totally different way- whether you like your rock Southern fried baked and battered, or more of a soft ballad more than ready for a little radio play.

We got to hang out after their set for a bit so I could ask the boys a little about their latest and greatest tunage- interrupted every few seconds by friends and fans (damn these boys are popular!) we finally got into the nitty gritty details concerning what’s behind the name- and music!

BNB:  Hey!  So I’m on the record with…

JN:  Jesse Nolan

SE:  And Stephen Edelstein

BNB:  From?

RAM:  Red Arroooow Messengerrrr!

BNB:  So you just debuted your new music video exclusively at the Troubadour!  What’s the name of the song?

RAM:  “Can’t Hold On”

BNB:  Great!  Can we find it on your website!?

RAM:  Well…no.  We actually JUST finished up the audio to go with the video..

BNB:  Well- that helps.

RAM:  Absolutely!  So- soon.

 

BNB:  So let’s talk about your name for a sec- what’s behind the R.A.M.?

RAM:  Well it was the name of the first courier service on the West coast- and we made our record in Venice- so we thought it was fitting!

 

BNB:  Well word on the street is you’ll be playing with Saint Motel – care to share any details?

RAM:  Yeah, that’s happening September 11.

BNB:  Wow- that’s quite the day you’ve chosen.

RAM:  Yeah well it’s really really a sad day for a lot of reasons- but really a HAPPY day because…music is a healing force.

 

BNB:  So your record JUST came out!?

RAM:  Yes!  It’ll be up on itunes in the next few weeks!

BNB:  Ready to hop back in the recording studio right away or you planning on taking 5?

RAM:  Umm, we’re kind of always in the recording studio- we live in a house together…

BNB:  Bromance!

RAM:  yeah!  And actually Dangermouse used to live there and he built the recording studio downstairs- so it’s a great studio, we have a psychotic neighbor…so that makes it fun.

 

BNB:  Next tour/show?

RAM:  That’ll be it I think- Sept. 11.  I mean, we have secret shows but- they’re secret.

 

BNB:  I have to ask- who is responsible for writing the lyrics?

JN:  I am.

BNB:  I have to say- they’re incredibly poignant!  Personal experience- or would you chalk it up to something else?

JN:  Well yeah I mean- I’d say one is alive and one has certain experiences and those things become what you write about.  Not all the songs are stories about me per say, but maybe people I know…

SE:  As a best friend and guy who gets to hear the songs in their infancy, it’s fun to hear the story and be like- I know what he’s writing about there!

BNB:  Well damn- now we all want to know the story behind the songs!  Especially “More Love” & “Murder Ballad”!

 

BNB:  And, what would you do for a klondike bar?

RAM:  What would I do?!  I would kill a man!

BNB:  You know- you’d be surprised how often I hear that answer…

 

BNB:  Musical influences?  I hear a teeny bit of Mumford & Sons, maybe a little Band Of Horses…

RAM:  You know those people are rad.  I don’t really find that we take inspiration from contemporary people as much- but in very small chunks.  I think we actually listen to a lot of music that doesn’t sound like the music we make – Bone Thugs N Harmony, Missy Elliot- HUGE Missy Elliot fan!  And then there’s Bob Dylan, and the Beatles…

 

BNB:  And who’s your favorite slightly under the radar L.A. band?

RAM:  He’s My Brother, She’s My Sister- they’re gonna be on the radar pretty soon they’re just coming up really fast and they write such charming songs.  Our friend Lauren tap dances in the band, Rob Kolar from Lemon Sun sings, his sister Rachel- it’s just really cool.  It’s got a really good vibe!  Brother and sister singing, the bass is a celloist, and a tap dancer for percussion.

 

BNB:  Closing Remarks?!

RAM:  Closing remarks….Everyone just try for twenty minutes to be kind to each other for godsake.  Can’t we all just get along?

 

You can check the boys out at www.myspace.com/redarrowmessenger- and be sure to check itunes for their CD soon!