Everything is Better Strange: An Interview with LA Band, James Supercave

July 19, 2023/pws builder/Comments Off

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James Supercave made their Pasadena debut at Make Music Pasadena this past June. Headlining the festival, they were the last band on the Colorado Main Stage and offered a great closing performance that day. Lead singer and guitarist, Joaquin Pastor, Patrick Logohetti (keyboard), Andrés Villalobos (guitar), and touring members Phys Hastings (drums), and Patrick Phillips (bass) encountered some slight rain, but that didn’t stop the group from putting on a spectacular show.
Standing about three rows from the stage, the band’s psych-pop sound pulsed though my body. Each song they played was one you couldn’t help but move to. With their dream-like and euphoric sound, I could tell the audience members around me felt the same. I would see audience members dancing, head banging and hearing my friend beside me give an occasional “WOW, I dig this,” with each new song they played. While James Supercave’s studio album is great, this is a band that should really be experienced live.

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As the set ended, Pastor, mentioned that band merch was going to be sold at the front of the stage. Being it was such a great show, my friends and I decided to stay after to buy some CDs and t-shirts. Little did we know that the band members themselves would also help out with selling their own merchandise. This is an awesome way for bands to connect with their fans directly. In between passing out merch and signing vinyl’s and CDs of their recently released debut album Better Strange, the band members made conversation with those waiting in line.

Later the following week, keyboardist, Patrick Logohetti responded to a few questions about the band for Artzray. Coincidentally, his birthday had been the same day their performance at Make Music. What better welcome to Pasadena than having hundreds of audience members serenade him with “Happy Birthday”?

Did you always know you wanted to be musician? If not, what changed that?

Logohetti: I’ve always made music in one form or another, but it was mostly a private affair until the Supercave years. For years I was just writing/daydreaming for the pleasure of it… it took some serious prodding from Joaquin (our singer) before I was convinced to make a real go of it.

What has been the biggest obstacle for you as a band? How did you overcome/are overcoming this?

Not to cop out from the question, but I try not to think in terms of obstacles. I’m a young white American man… there’s not much I can rightfully complain about.

What advice would you give to a musician trying to break into the music industry?

Work with your friends.

What is the most important thing to you as musicians?

Biggest thing: move quickly when a new idea excites you! Just get started and put it down – you can always edit later. When inspiration hits, get to work!

What advice would you give to aspiring young artists who may feel discouraged to pursue a career in the arts?

That’s also a tough question. All I can say is that there are literally billions of music fans on this planet! So in spite of how our society may undervalue the arts (and it does), [forget] all that noise and keep pushing. Create, and then let your art speak for itself.