By Darren Lulka
Photo by Darren Lulka
Interview with the two co-
founding members: Lana Ryma (Drummer) & Aramis Starfish (Vocals & Bass) @Bamboo Cafe, Gastown
On my way back to the Skytrain after shooting 3 bands at the Bourbon I saw fellow shooter, William Smithies out front of Pub 340. He told me The Furniture were about to come on and I have to check them out! Well never figured the $10 I paid to get in would have led to this. I absolutely loved the band, I decided I wanted to more for them than just take their photos… but what? Had to catch the last train home so talked to Singer/Bass player, Aramis a couple days later about photos etc. One thing led to another and ended up meeting Lana and Aramis, the two founding members of The Furniture for an interview last Sunday at noon. Lana was a few minutes late, not bad for running out of gas, and having to run 4 blocks to a gas station……” with her own gas can in hand! It was my first interview and theirs as well, read on!
Darren: How did The Furniture get started?
Lana: I had been with Ten Days Late for many years followed by The No No Spots, and was looking to putting another band together. I was at a party where I met Aramis, who was a solo artist and had heard some of the stuff she had been doing. We talked and decided to get together & play in a jam space a short time later. We started writing songs together and knew we really had something special we got ahold of a long time friend and kickass guitarist, Johnny Wildkat, the Bass player for Mongoose. To complete, The Furniture another dear, dear sweet friend of ours and incredibly talented solo artist, Mani Khaira came aboard for keyboards and back up vocals.
Darren: How did you come up with the name: The Furniture?
Aramis: It’s from Soylent Green.
Darren: The movie with Charlton Heston?
Aramis: Yes, in the movie the apartments that he goes to and investigates are rented out furnished with women who serve as domestic help and sex objects who were refered to as: “The Furniture.”
Tanya laughing: Yeah… so sit on this! That’s a tentitive name for our CD.
Darren: I caught most of your show at Pub 340, you sounded tight and it all seemed to flow really smooth and easily!
Lana: Yeah, I think for us we are all having so much fun and get more inspired each time we get together and play live. There’s alot of energy between us which seems to have a snowball effect which leaves to wanting to do more live shows.
Aramis: When we all get together in a room, one of us has an idea which we
all add to and expand on, it’s all a team effort.
Darren: Tell me when/where was your first gig?
Lana:It was an opening for Mani’s solo project at the Biltmore back in Feb.of 2009.
Darren: What’s your favourite venue to play at?
Both laughing: Aside from Gm Place, but the Railway club is pretty cool!
Darren: Musical influences?Aramis: My piano.
Lana: Pixies, Nirvana, Breeders… there’s so many we love, but not necessarily influence our music.
Darren: You all contribute to writing, what about any cover tunes?
Lana: Only one at this time, “Shadow Play” by Joy Division. It’s on Youtube.
Darren: Any plans for recording?
Lana: Almost finished! We are just fine tuning the guitar, back up vocals and it should be out soon. There will be 11 or 12 songs on it mixed to perfection by mastermind Darren Mills.
Darren: When is your next gig?
Lana: Nothing planned until after the winter games and Johnny returns from touring with Mongoose.
Darren: A tour in the near future possibly?
Lana: We would love to tour Europe and think we would do quite well there. If Mongoose takes us on their tour to Japan we will cook and clean!
Darren: Who would you like to tour with?
Aramis & Lana: Metric, Bloc Party, Mongoose, Culture Death.
Darren: Anything you’d like to say to your fans/to be fans?
Aramis & Lana: If you come out to watch us live, it’s all about listening and having fun! If you feel like rocking out! Loose the chains and do it!
Darren: Final Words?
Lana: Come see the Furniture and sit on this Mutha Fuckers!
www.myspace.com/furnituremusic
