EIC'S10Q'S w/To Kill A Petty Bourgeoisie

Loud crunchy noises swell and drone over nigh seductive female vocals. Almost reminiscent of Portishead, only mixed by Chu Ishikawa (Tetsuo: The Ironman), Black Dice, or even Boris..

To Kill A Petty Bourgeoisie

Want to seduce you with noise..

To Kill A Petty Bourgeoisie Bio:
To Kill a Petty Bourgeoisie consists of Jehna Wilhelm, guitar and vocals, and Mark McGee, electronics and sound manipulation. Originally from Richmond, VA, the duo has been involved with this project for 4 years and has been supported by an ever-changing cast of players and musicians. They now reside in Minneapolis, MN where they run their own label, The Riley Bushman Recordings & Archives, which they use as an outlet to release various projects and collaborations.

Hello, how are you?

okay.

What are you currently listening to?

i'm currently listening to the new doom album. it's really a great surprise. hmm. a lot of bo diddley lately, sam cooke. i never really got into Can, but my friend tom has been drowning me with it, and i have to say it's really amazing shit. there is a couple of local bands here in minneapolis that are doing interesting things. ive also been listening to a lot of scott walker, the drift is too good.

What is the story behind the band name?

its a play off of to kill a mockingbird. a book very dear to us. and i guess, the name implys some sort of social comment, which it should. jehna and i come from the middleclass, and coming up with a project that challenges that idea of repetition in modern living. (go to school, get a job, get married, have kids, retire...) was the pure intent when we started. but now, we aren't really challanging anything or trying to change anything. we want to make beautiful music. a lot of people hate the name, some people love it. i guess i don't really care anymore.it still means a lot to me.

What do your parents think of your music?

my mother is very supportive. they generally like it.it took awhile, but they are proud of me.

Who were your biggest influences growing up?

as far as music. alot of hip hop. alot of 91' to 97' east coast hip hop. i still listen to most of it today. my friend joe gave me a mix tape when i was 15 that pretty much changed my life. it had bands like the velvet underground, merzbow, shizou, some beatles, earth, you know things i would of never listened to growing up, especially a kid that was trying to breakdance and dj. it made me start thinking about music in a whole different way. it blew my mind.

How much of your work is improv?

our old work was never improv. it was very thought out and strict, even though it appeared like choas. now i would say it is 50/50. especially our live sets

What have you been working on?
im currently recording the new shahs album, which sounds like if you were in your apartment on a summer day with the window open, and across the street two people were blasting boom boxes. On one of the boom boxes there was afrika bambaataa and the other one had tropicalia blasting, all while you are in your draws listening to liquid liquid. Other than that i have been playing in some side projects, navy wife - drone, beautiful noise, and bassball starz, noise-hop, dance.

Should we expect a full US tour once the new album is complete?
yes. hopefully in the fall

Your going to be stranded on an island, you can have 3 things, what are they?

nothing, i wouldn't need anything from a past life. unless there were no food or company? i mean as far as material shit, i wouldn't need anything. i wouldn't expect myself to produce any kind of work. it would be heaven for me. a chance to get away from everything. when can i go?

Are you living your dream?
almost

EIC: We really appreciate you taking the time to do this!
MM: thanks for asking me.

To Kill A Petty Bourgeoisie is currently finishing up their second album, as well as planning a tour shortly after..