Lollapalooza is coming up. As always, Glorious Noise will have a posse roaming Grant Park in search of warm felafels and cold beer. Along the way we try to stumble across some good music. There are a lot of bands on the line-up that we don’t know much about. So we threw out some questions to help us all get to know the Lollapalooza line-up.
Here are Helena’s answers.
1. What’s the best part of playing festivals?
I just played the Bloomfest in downtown LA and it happened to be my first festival experience! I like the open air and the possibility of the crowd growing as the set progresses. It’s a magical feeling watching more and more people gather to watch.
2. What’s the worst part of playing festivals?
I haven’t quite had any bad experiences yet, but I’m sure festivals can get chaotic. I try to always remember to keep an open mind and not get too stressed about things.
3. Have you ever attended a music festival as a fan?
After moving to the states from India, we landed in the countryside of Pennsylvania and I never really had the chance to go to any proper music festivals. Unless you count the many hippie-like festivals on farms where there was music and my dad would lead drum circles and play the sitar. My mum would sing Indian ragas. Nothing at all like Lollapalooza!
4. Other act(s) you’re most looking forward to seeing at Lollapalooza?
I’m so excited to watch some of my favorites at Lollapalooza! I really admire Jack White. I love how you can see an artist’s growth and transformation but there is still a constant thread… something in their aesthetic that is entirely their own. Sigur Ros is pretty much my favorite band and I often listen to them when I’m painting. I’ve always dreamed of seeing them live! I’m also really exited for Florence and the Machine, Bloc Party, Franz Ferdinand, Metric, and Chairlift. Miike Snow is playing too and I do a cover of their Black and Blue (it’d be so so wickedly sweet if they heard my version, haha).
5. Who is the worst band/entourage member to sit next to on the van/bus?
I love all my band members and they are actually crazy fun and relaxed to travel with. If anyone, I’m the weirdest one to sit next too. I blast Fever Ray in my headphones and draw ocelots and models and bounce around.
6. What’s the last music purchase you paid for with your own money?
I recently purchased Hariprasad Chaurasia’s “Daylight Ragas.” He’s a world renowned Bansuri player (it’s the main indian flute). I also got a few songs by Iamamiwhoami and My Brightest Diamond.
7. What’s your favorite thing about Chicago?
This is my first time in Chicago so I’ll have to find out!
8. How has Lollapalooza’s radius clause (no shows within 300 miles six months before and three months after) affected your touring schedule?
I’ve been doing shows throughout the West Coast for the last few months and I’ll be going back home to LA after the weekend, playing shows like School Night at Bardot in Hollywood. Lollapalooza’s an amazing opportunity. The radius clause hasn’t been an issue for me.
9. Got anything to say to fans in Michigan, Wisconsin, Iowa, Indiana, and Ohio who can’t make it to Lollapalooza?
I would LOVE for them to check out my song “Sunlight” going on sale July 31st! If they like it and want more, stay tuned in and hopefully I’ll be coming to play shows soon near them!
10. Finish this sentence: Perry Farrell is a…
fancy pants. He’s got some serious style.
Playing Friday, August 3 at 4:30 PM on the BMI stage