Band You Should Know: Abbot Kinney

In anticipation of their upcoming headlining gig at the Great American Music Hall on August 19th, we sent local SF band Abbot Kinney our grueling questionnaire. Will they survive it? Will the answers surprise you? There’s only one way to find out. Read below:

Name: Abbot Kinney

Medium: Rock Music

What was your first job in San Francisco: I had 3. I was writing short summaries for a music tech blog, working at a bar called Bitters Bock & Rye and managing a recording studio called Coast Recorders.

“I’m a sophisticated graduate with a BFA” or “FUCK art school!”?: Haha, I graduated from Boston University with a BFA in Theater

Let’s talk politics, are you a liberal or a super duper liberal?: NO JUSTICE NO PEACE

What was your last great night out in San Francisco?: Last Saturday I took my dog Luna to the SFSPCA where she was adopted for a class and then kicked it outside with some friends during one of the first warm summer nights at Zeitgeist. Been BBQing a ton too.

How has the city changed?: I love this city. It has changed quite a bit even in the 4 years I’ve lived here. It’s gotten incredibly expensive obviously. The energy has merged more and more into one industry. I’m from LA and I see more similarities now.

Abbot Kinney’s Brand New Video

What are you trying to communicate through your art lately?: I’m always trying to reach out and connect. That’s number one. But there’s a lot of contrast. My themes are often about finding grace and hope in the fire of adversity.

What does it take to make it as an artist in SF these days?: Invest in the journey not the outcome. Create community.

Any SF artists you think are outstanding right now?: 2 of my band members are in a great Psych group called Agouti.

Favorite Venue right now?: Great American Music Hall in San Francisco. The Fox in Oakland.

What’s coming up for you? We’re releasing a new music video today for “Can We Become” on our Facebook page and playing Great American Music Hall Saturday August 19th.

Get your tickets here.