Broke-Ass Band Interview: The Mumlers (Two Shows this Weekend!)

I’ve had a crush on the Mumlers since I first heard them years ago. They are, by far, one of my favorite local bands. Outfitted with a full horn section and a swoon-worthy frontman, the Mumlers have the ability to transport you to different eras and locations with their genre-defying tunes. Sometimes you’re in the backroom of a blues bar circa 1970, sometimes it’s Halloween circa now, occasionally you’re doing a slow-dance at a 1950s prom, other times you’re suddenly in a scene from Roger Rabbit with Jessica Rabbit doing a pole-dance, and more often than not, you’ll find yourselves at a New Orleans funeral wondering How can those be white people behind the microphones? AMAZING. Go listen!

I caught up with said swoon-worthy frontman Will Sprott to talk shop. And don’t put it past me to continue my shameless self-promotion on here, because Will and I are playing a show together this Friday, July 15th, at the Vortex Room. More info here. The Mumlers then play as a band the next night, Saturay, July 16th, at the Independent with Quinn Deveaux. Despite Will’s assertion that you can expect a “Sade cover band playing original tunes,” the Mumlers are oh so much more. Who knew brass could be so sexy? They did.

Introduce yourself!

I’m Will Sprott. I like ping-pong.

Describe your sound in five words or less.

Glam/Glam/Glam.

Tell us about your band name.

It’s an anagram of “Melt me Rush.” We’re all big Rush fans.

Favorite thing about San Francisco?

Memories of love. Chicken feet on the sidewalk. Hanging out at the end of piers.

Favorite SF restaurant?

I probably eat at El Farolito more than anywhere when I’m there. Late night Chile Relleno burrito every time. They have a good cubist meat rotisserie painting on the wall.

Favorite SF bar?

Carlo’s. It’s right by El Farolito. I don’t like to leave a 60-foot radius of the 24th Street BART station. It’s a good place to witness stabbings.

How do you prepare for a big show? What will you be doing the night before?

Regretting the fact that my band never practices. Wishing I didn’t have such a raggedy-ass wardrobe.

What can people expect at your shows?

A Sade cover band playing original tunes.

What do you do during downtime on tour?

Fantasize about the lifestyles of gas station attendants.

What’s next for the band? (i.e. plug your next show!)

I’m playing solo at the Vortex Room on July 15th and with the band at the Independent on July 16th.

Three things you’d take to a desert island?

A girl, a dog, a piano.

What movie can you watch over and over and never get sick of?

Dr. Strangelove.

Favorite season or time of year?

Summer time. No school! Mom’s at work! Days are long.

Three things that are in your fridge right now?

My roommates’ groceries. I wish I had some. I just have a big ol’ block of cheese but nothing to eat it with.

Anything in your sock drawer besides socks?

Just socks and horse tranquilizers.

Now let’s get down to the nitty gritty, i.e. money: Have any tips for aspiring musicians trying to make it on their craft?

Be nice to people. Surround yourself with people who will not destroy you. Be born rich.

Best money saving tip in general?

Stealing.

Where do you live now and what are some good cheap/fun things to do in that area?

Oakland. Swimming in lakes is free. Checking out books from the library. Bike rides.

What do you refuse to spend money on?

Popcorn at the movies. I worked in a movie theater forever and ate enough popcorn to last a lifetime. I used to take a garbage bag full of popcorn home at the end of the night and live off of it for a week.

What is the most expensive thing you’ve ever bought and how did that feel?

I think it was a plane ticket to Vietnam. Totally worth it. I should round up the funds for that kind of thing more often.

What’s the best deal you’ve ever gotten?

Being born.

What is your favorite free thing to do?

Can’t tell you.

If you woke up a millionaire, what’s the first thing you’d buy?

Time machine.

What’s one GOOD thing about not having a ton of money?

People never come over and try to swim in your room full of gold coins. They go to Scrooge McDuck’s.

Any last words?

Vaya con Dios.

*photos via Facebook