RSS
Help
CartTake Aim: Amy Sciarretto vs. Sweet Lights
Tue, 24 Jul 2012 15:30:40
Sweet Lights is the project of former Capitol Years member Shai Halperin of Philadelphia. Well, being that we have some strong Philly roots and ties, we knew we had to get him in the ring vs. Amy Sciarretto for a Take Aim sesh. Being from Philly, he's "tougher" than the next guy (or artist), so he was not scared to submit to our question and answer interrogation. In fact, he was quite a gentleman -- a lover, not a fighter.
Find out about his use of tape machines, mediocrity in tennis and his pheelings about Philly.
If you were not doing music you would be...
Writing a screenplay about a failed musician who decides to write a screenplay about a failed musician who decides to write a screenplay about a failed musician...
Any non-music skills/talents/hobbies?
I am an impressively mediocre tennis player and enjoy a running rivalry with ex-Capitol Year Dave Wayne Daniels. Our win-loss record is surprisingly even, though if you watched us play you would probably say we were both clearly losing.
Pick ONE song from your album Sweet Lights, Sweet Lights and share a writing or recording story.
For "Endless Town," we pulled the ole' Beatles' "In My Life" trick with the tape machine slowed down. Myself and Mikele from Arc in Round (who have an amazing album out) then played dueling piano solos which sound sped up on playback. Hers is the one that doesn't sound like a 9-year-old played it.
How is Sweet Lights different for you than Capitol Years, as an artist?
Artistically, I used to compose strictly contrarian motion in the harmonies. Now things are markedly more contrapuntal. There were more oblique movements when working with Dave and Jeff, less independence in the intervals and scales we would inevitably fall back upon. With Sweet Lights I only have my own parallel motion to contend with. It's a bitch!
Favorite thing + biggest misconception about Philly? (I grew up there!)
I think people are actually super friendly here, as in strangers and folks holding the door for you or generally helping out. On a similar note, one of the biggest misconceptions is that we're all a bunch of jerks.
Do you like Sweet Lights?
—Amy Sciarretto
07.24.12
