The Quietus - A new rock music and pop culture website

Baker's Dozen

Lay Of Her Land: Brix Smith Start's Favourite Albums
Julian Marszalek , December 15th, 2016 11:19

As she prepares to release a debut album with her band of former Fall troopers, Brix Smith Start takes Julian Marszalek through some of the records that have shaped her life

Crosby_1481734756_resize_460x400

Crosby, Stills & Nash – Crosby, Stills & Nash
So this was one of those records that my mom had that I loved. I would come home from school and put it on again and again and again. It became the soundtrack of my childhood in L.A. and it's a real California sound. I think I learned how to sing harmonies listening to them. I just love them and the ringtone to my phone is 'Wooden Ships'.

Years later, when I was living in L.A. again, I was playing with [The Bangles'] Susannah Hoffs and she got offered a gig to play with them on the steps of the Capital in Washington for Al Gore. I think it was for a healthcare awareness thing. She took me as her bass player and we sang harmonies with them to 'Teach Your Children'. Somewhere I tape of this exists because it was on C-SPAN on TV. I don't think David Crosby was there because it was liver time for him.

I remember thinking, nothing's going to come out of my voice. Of course, I was with Sue and she's the ultimate professional and such a great singer so I was fine. I was just so happy to be doing it. You don't have to try too hard when you're with them. You get to hit the notes needed for the voices to blend.