Ash Wednesday! Travesty!

Travesty!
Written By: Ash Catcher

Happy Wednesday! Last week I actually decided to be social, gross I know but I got to meet/ interview a new band in the Philly Music Scene and wow they were pretty good! Including a bomb ass clairnet solo, what is not to like about that. The other acts included spoken word, burlesque, rap, and even some classically trained opera. Sheesh, a fully stocked show in my opinion. I managed to snag a homemade tie dye band shirt to- I honestly cannot tell you the last time I bought any apparel at a show. I love when artists are also focused on the music, but also the experience of the show as a whole collective. So enough rambles Here is our 10 Question Questionnaire with Travesty, be sure to check out their new music!​

- Ash

1. Tragesty, that's a pretty sick name for a band, any meaning behind it?

• Juliet (vocalist): “It rolled off my tongue when I was referring to the year 2020. I tried to say “2020 was a tragedy”, but my brain got it mixed up with travesty… and thus, tragesty! Which is definitely getting the message across...” 
  
• Reid (drummer): “While in the studio recording, my fellow studio rat little brother interpreted it as Tragic Majesty. I enjoyed the imagery a lot and incorporated it into some of our art for this release. (Love you Ricky III)”
  
• Jacob (guitarist): “I think it originally came from tragedy plus travesty. It’s about being sad about something and also being sad about something else.” ​
  

2. What was the first instrument you ever played? 

• Reid: “Probably singing or percussion. I've always loved jumping around on different things, guitar, bass, winds, keys.”
  
• Jacob: “Guitar, and I’m happy to be playing guitar again in this band after having done drums and bass in more recent projects.”
  
• Juliet: “Clarinet! Which is why we’re bringing it back and making it cool again.” 
  

3. Where are you guys based? What's the vibe of the practice space?

• Reid: “West Philadelphia (not born nor raised) A super positive space, very relaxed and very encouraging.” 
  
• Juliet: “Agree with Reid. Sometimes we play in our bassist’s (Matt’s) basement which is filled with funky art and DIY contraptions. Sometimes we play in a spare room in mine & Jacob’s house, which has cute string lights. :p”
  

4. Any time for hobbies when you're not playing music? 

• Juliet: “I feel like everyone in the band dabbles in so many fun things. I like the occasional cooking endeavor, board games, zumba, and embroidery!”
  
• Reid: “Visual art, maybe the odd textile. I've been making band merch with Marcelyn (vocals and synth player) and having a blast doing it. I used to paint more, but ce la vie.”
  
• Jacob: “I’d add video games because I’m a nerd.”
  

5.  How do you prioritize the band? 

• Reid: “Horrible, but music school trained me with guilt and shame. I don't feel right if I'm not behind the kit at least twice a week. During quarantine I was already drumming for fun, just itching for a project to put my efforts into. The songs are super fun to play, so practicing doesn't really feel like practice.”
  
• Jacob: “I don’t want to let down my bandmates! Everyone puts in a lot of work to sound great and that makes me work harder too.”
  
• Juliet: “Ah, it’s top priority for me, everyone rocks!! Sometimes though… I’m a bit manic about it… Jacob and I write a lot of the songs together so they hold deep meaning for me. If I’m at work (I’m a scientist btw ;)) and have 20 minutes of downtime, I’m usually scheming for a show, an instagram post, a new song lyric. I’m kind of always thinking about it in the back of my mind. So much goes into releasing music and following through on a project so it easily takes up a lot of head space. But it is welcome in my head hehe.” 
  

6. Funniest thing you learned about your band mates? 

• Juliet: “We all have our quirks, it’s hard to name just one. We’re all kinda sensitive and goofy so we’re funny in general. I guess something noticeable was learning all about Matt’s (our bassist’s) pets- he and his wife have a PET OWL! And Hawk! Like whaaaaaat!” ​
  

7.  If you could tour with any 3 bands who would they be? 

• Reid: “Aesthetically: Gloss, Humilitarian, maybe  Why Not. I'd love to put a tour together for emo burnouts who love to dance. Spiritually there are so many fantastic bands in Philly and beyond. Elephant Jake, Carly Cosgrove, NIQU, Machhouse, Tea Head, Whether Men (so many more) are good friends of mine that I'd love to play with some day. They have so many other projects now as well Gre/ay, Jawny, Fleish Klopfer, There's Only Trash Here. I suppose I'll have to wait until my punk debut before I can crack their tours.” 
  
• Juliet: “Oh my glob. In terms of a Philly-DIY tour: Riverby, Best Bear, and Mega Mango. In terms of a we’re-famous-fantasy tour: Mothica, Polyphia, DOJA CAT LMAO.” 
  

8. What makes a successful musician? 

• Juliet: “Success is a hard one… I think success in music comes from community and consistency. The more your music can connect people and make them feel less alone, the more important & meaningful it becomes. I personally grew up very isolated and misunderstood because I didn’t have the words to express myself– when music can do that for you? And connect you with a similar group of people? Well, shit. All of a sudden you’re not alone in the world. In terms of consistency… My previous band didn’t make it through the pandemic (Jacob and I were in “Bad Sleeper” together), and I think sticking with it, even when it gets hard or confusing or boring(?), you keep going! That is inspiring, and just a huge accomplishment as a human lol.”
  
• Reid: “Not to get into semantics, but what does it mean to be successful? Money? Fame? Influence? I love to see musicians that are happy, healthy, and compassionate.  Telling stories, making friends and active in the community, supporting other creatives. Often I see experimental scientists in my favorite artists. Always thinking or sketching, fiddling with something, even just in the back of their mind. Most of all, there's that gut feeling that something should be said, a story that needs to be heard, people who shouldn't feel alone, or some strange dream to be made into reality.”
  

9. Who are some of your influences? Bands, genres? 

• Reid: “Joe Strummer & The Mescaleros, Nina Simone, Courtney Barnett, Tim Armstrong, Ella Fitzgerald, Debussy, The Descendents, Perennial, Grocer, The Lunar Year, Sonic Youth, Kurt Vile, Brian Jonetown Massacre, The Vines Deap Vally The Kills, Stiff Little Fingers, Beastie Boys, The Dead Weather, Sons of Kemet, Gogol Bordello, Mac Demarco, Marty Robbins, Real Estate, Devil Makes 3, Morphine, Mad Conductor, Dad Thighs,  the black keys, Bauhaus, Chat Pile, Johnny Cash, Hank Williams Sr., Bikini Kill, Tom Petty, Joan Jett, a lot of new pop coming out is great as well. 
  
• Juliet: “Mothica, Sleep Token, Sordid Pink, Echos, Pussy Riot, Screaming Females, Vukovi, Neutral Milk Hotel, Purity Ring, Pinkshift, Speech Patterns, Icon For Hire, Mother Mother, Hot Milk, H.E.R., Yours Truly, Crywolf, Now Now, The Strokes, Joni Mitchell, so many more!!!” 
  

10. Favorite way to listen to music?

• Juliet: “I’m definitely a “blast it on my speakers in my room and dance (or wallow)” kinda gal. The rest of the time it’s headphones at work.”
  
• Reid: “I'm always listening to something in my headphones, but I love the ritual of putting on a record. I bartend at a taco spot in Fishtown as well and am known for having a banging playlist of everything from pop, rock, jazz, to South American punk and psychedelica.”