Broke-Ass Band Interview: The Botticellis (Tonight at Amnesia!)

The Botticellis make you dance. Make you sing along. Make you laugh. Maybe even make you try a new water sport. All because of frontman Alexi Glickman’s dreamy surf pop, timeless voice, and winsome attitude. Love this guy. Love these answers (so much so that I added commentary in italics). He tries to be positive, I answer with pessimistic snark. But really, best “movie you can watch over and over” response EVER (scroll down), plus he threw in some Jewish jokes (which you know is my soft spot).

The Botticellis are playing TONIGHT, Tuesday, March 29, at Amnesia (853 Valencia). Put your dancing shoes on and be there!

Introduce yourself!

Alexi Lesterjett Hopkins Glickman I.

How would you describe your sound in five words (or less)?

Fucking Unicorn Rainbow Stigmata

Who/what are some of your biggest influences?

Beatles, Bach, Botticelli.

What should people be listening to (besides your music)?

Themselves. (Says YOURself. Don’t tell me what to do. Also, good answer.)

Favorite lyrics of all time?

Paul McCartney: “Who knows how long I’ve loved you.”

Favorite thing about San Francisco?

Surfing.

Favorite SF restaurant?

Outerlands.

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

Practice.  Safe Sex.

What can people expect at your shows?

Dancing. (It’s true! Come tonight!)

Best tour memory?

David Crosby watching me catch my first Botticelli. (How serendipitous that Alexi and I were watching Crosby and Nash at the Warfield while he answered these questions!)

What’s next for the band?

#1 record.

What did you have for breakfast today?

Sand.

Three things you’d take to a desert island?

Surfboard, seeds, friends.

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

Groundhog Day. (Holy shit, best answer ever. You are a genius.)

Favorite season or time of year (and why)?

Christmas (Because Santa Claus is French).

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?

Dance more.

Best money saving tip in general?

Marry a Jew. (Um, if you’re asking, then “I do.” But I must warn you, I’m also a Jewish starving musician, so it’s not a foolproof plan.)

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

By the beach.  Surf.  Make art.  Hang out.  Rollerblade.

What do you refuse to spend money on?

War. (Damn, that’s my favorite thing to spend money on. This marriage was doomed before it even began.)

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

Getting signed to Sandy & Goldie.

What is your favorite free thing to do?

Love. (BS. In my experience, it’s never free. Love costs a lot. Just ask Tiger Woods. Post-nup!)

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

A house.

Despite not having money, do you still love your life?

Yep. (Don’t lie to me.)

Any last words?

Know they love you. (As I said earlier, Alexi and I were watching Crosby and Nash at the Warfield while he was answering these questions.  They were singing “Teach Your Children” when he answered this last one. Lazy. From now on I’m answering all interview questions with the lyrics that are on the radio at that exact moment.)

The Botticellis
Tuesday, March 29, 9pm
Amnesia
853 Valencia St. [Mission]
$7