Rick Pierik Interview

Rick heads local label Nine Mile Records. 


What’s the best piece of advice someone has ever given you? Is it different than advice you would give to someone?
Be Your Own Boss. The person giving this advice meant it literally, but I think it has broader implications. Yes, I would absolutely give this advice in many circumstances.

What's the most interesting/memorable encounter you've had with a complete stranger?
When I was 22, I took a train across country to visit my family in Upstate New York when I was living in Denver. I met a guy named Will in the bar car and we drank some beers and played cards. It was in December and well below zero outside. At about midnight the conductor announced that the tracks were frozen and the train would be stopping in Chicago for the night and Amtrak would be putting us up in a hotel. I called some old buddies in town who happened to be out bowling and we met them at the alley and bowled and drank some more until about 2am. We ran to catch the L back downtown to our hotel. We were pretty sauced and completely missed our stop for the hotel and ended up on the Southside at 2:30am. The temperature was -10, and the next train back wasn't coming for about 45 minutes. We wandered a couple blocks in each direction from the station looking for a convenience store or anywhere to stay warm. A couple neighborhood guys spotted us, and after the shock of seeing us wandering the streets wore off, they began to chase us. We got disoriented and a little lost, darting down alleys and hoping there wasn't more trouble around each corner. Eventually we lost them (or they got realized chasing us in the cold wasn't worth what was likely a shitty payout). At about 3am we found the station again and grabbed the train back to the hotel. I woke up at 5:30 to hustle to the shuttle to get back to Amtrak, hungover and exhausted. I looked for Will on the train, but he slept in and never made it!

If you could get in a tour bus with any band dead or alive who, why, and what would it look like?
The Who circa 1971. I think this would capture the band at their most eccentric. One can only assume they had a live circus going on in there, and I like circuses. Plus, those guys have enough British refinement that it wouldn't just be all party.

What's your favorite record and why?
Stupidest question ever asked of anyone in the music industry. I mean, we're in this thing because we can't decide, right? My favorite record is the one I haven't heard yet that's going to blow my mind - most likely the next Sweet Spirit record(!)

What will your legacy be when you die?
My daughter. There's no one nor nothing I'm more proud of.
Plus, a giant CD collection that will sell on eBay for $.80.

Sara Ostovar Interview

Sara runs No. 9 Dream salon and is responsible for Sabrina's hair.


Most memorable moment at a Sweet Spirit show?
When I saw them at The Blackheart. Everyone was sweaty and dancing and crammed together and really, really happy. Also, just any time Sabrina is around is memorable.

What's the most interesting encounter you've had with a complete stranger?
I don't know if it's the most interesting, but I can't think of one so I'll just choose this encounter... Yesterday, at the grocery store there was a man behind me who looked like he was maybe in his 80's. And, as I was leaving, I said hi to him and he said hello, how are you? I said, I'm good how are you? And he said great! It put me in a good mood and it made me think about how it's nice to talk to strangers. Also, the word stranger is weird.

What's your favorite record and why?
Emitt Rhodes' self titled album, there's a song on that record for every mood you're in. It's also a really good record to put on when you wake up and do all your morning things. My friend Paul showed it to me with the song "Promises I've Made", it's my favorite one and it's a happy sounding kind of sad love song about doing all the stuff you tell yourself you're not going to do or think about when you're trying to forget about someone, but you do it anyway. After you listen to that one follow it with "Somebody Made for Me" and you'll feel really good. If you feel sad and need to sulk, listen to "Ever Find Yourself Running" and have a good shower cry.

To whom do you owe a huge thank you and why?
My friend Erin Riley, I tell her any weird thought I think and she still likes me.

You have 24 hours...where, with who, doing what? 
With Esme, eating TCBY with a gang of aliens floating and flying through space and then we're all singing Mariah Carey "Always Be My Baby" at a karaoke bar on the moon. NO GRAVITY KARAOKE.

If you could get in a tour bus with any band dead or alive who, why, and what would it look like?
Harry Nilsson and John Lennon during the Pussy Cats album period... I'd get to choose which one I could kiss every night and there would be a giant bubble bath on the tour bus that I'd sit in while they sang "Many Rivers to Cross" to me while I get to drink a giant frozen daiquiri out of a fish bowl and then in the morning when we're hungover we could sing "All My Life" while Im cuddled between the two of them and do it all over again!

John Wesley Coleman III

John writes music and has been friends with Sabrina and Andrew for awhile.


What’s the most memorable encounter you’ve had with a complete stranger?
Uhmm, stranger most memorable...met the US Ambassador of Paris and his daughter in a bar in Paris. They helped me get to where I needed to be after many pints of beer

Is there one piece of advice or wisdom that was given to you that just stuck, if so what was it?
If you don't like someone, don't say anything.

If you could get on a tour bus with any band ever, who would it be and what would it look like?
The Pogues. Looks like endless holiday in hells ditch. Love.

Tell us about your best friend.
I don't have a best friend. I have friends and family though.

What’s the best prank that you’ve pulled or that's been pulled on you?
I called my work and and said I was stabbed and can't come in.

  Thanks-jwc