Thoughts on John Thill, Jessica Simpson, and Celebrate Magic Hands

What happened that night at the Hotel Columbia remains a mystery to all but Aho and the Cuban businessman.

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Listen to Mike Aho on our compilation.

W & A: I saw you play in Austin to a pretty captive audience. You have no idea what an achievement it is to get that particular crowd to sing along and stuff. How'd you like Austin compared to Southern California?

M.A: Well . . . the particular show that you're talking about was at Fresh Up Club and I had just flown in an hour before. It was one of my favorite shows I've ever played. Yes, I do realize how difficult the Austin crowd can be . . . and I was very taken back by the silence and attentiveness. As far as a comparison between southern California and Austin . . . there really is none. Austin is a very, very unique place with a great culture that breeds interesting people. It is also a town of music, so people are very educated on the subject. That can be good and bad I guess.

Southern California isn't really like that. It's very absorbed in itself-people don't travel outside of California too much-so music like mine doesn't have much relevance in it's culture.

In Uncommon Folk, you described Celebrate Magic Hands as a "rotating group of musicians that only influence each other and collaborate through phone calls and occasional letters as they vanish into adulthood and indifference…" nonetheless, you're actively making records as a functioning label. Who is included and why? Where can people find out more?

Celebrate Magic Hands isn't a label or anything; really, it is just the natural progression of a group of friends that can't stop themselves from making things (for better or worse). The folks involved are Dave Bryant (Diamond Caverns), John King (Hello Lovers), Sam De La Rosa (Your Pretty and Mouth of Leaves) and my own dumb ass. You can peep it at celebratemagichands.com.

Was the ((Sounder)) EP your first recording? It's very beautiful, I was wondering how you recorded it, if you made it alone… I especially like the 7 1/2 minute epic track four. Tell me about recording that EP.

Thank you . . . the ((sounder)) thing was recorded with my friend Steve Stratton on drums and it was our first recording. We recorded it, quite simply, into a laptop. It was the beginning of the amalgamation of our musical positions, and because of that, a lot of it was just me. Since then, we have written a lot together and are working on a full-length thing that is sounding much more representative of how we play live.

On A Haunt, the Incessant and How to Write Love Songs, you write some pretty surreal stuff like, "All of the ovens melt down all the condos, drizzle into the sea," it reminds me of Andre Breton. What poets/writers influence you?

I guess I just see things around me and try to rationalize them as we all do. I'm more influenced by the current state of culture and it's complexities than I am other writers.

So you're expecting a kid in late November, huh? Do you think it will change anything about your musical/creative life?

I think it will change everything about everything I've ever known, and I am anxious to see what the hell that means.

Your thoughts on Scientology?

I think that Jessica Simpson should drop that zero and get herself a hero . . . if that's what you mean.

What records are you currently listening to or being influenced by?

Lately . . . I guess I've been revisiting stuff like the stones and the beatles and realizing how much of that shit is in everything. The rhythms and hooks. Rock and Roll will never be like that again, that's sad. Also Dead Meadow, Redneck Manifesto and Nina Simone have been kicking my ass lately.

Can you think of any music performances that changed your life or your own music considerably?

Almost every time I see someone that I can connect with play-live it changes me. I guess that sounds stupid, but everyone influences me. I guess I'm easily persuaded. John Thill played this echoing song about the dreary, industrial mornings in Riverside last time I saw him-it was so radical.

I guess in reality however, shows I saw when I was young, like Nirvana and Beck and stuff like that were shows that changed me and formed my opinions about rock and roll.

What's on the horizon for you musically? Recordings, shows, tours, etc.

Right now I'm recording the ((sounder)) album. Early next year I've got some art shows in the LA area that I'm excited about. And, of course I'll be taking a lot of time to get to know my new baby-that's pretty much it for now . . . Maybe sneak out to Texas and hopefully NY for a couple shows sometime toward next spring.

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