whatever,
dad
an interview by the miscreant “Whatever, Dad.” The words roll off the tongue almost as easily now as they did when you were sixteen. Elaiza Santos has been using this youth-inspired mantra as her moniker for writing cathartic melodies and releasing dreamy cassette tapes. Here, she talks about The X-Files, food co-ops, and making music from the heart. The Miscreant: When did you first start making music? What was the first instrument you picked up? Elaiza Santos: I guess the stuff I put online last spring marks the beginning of this mess. “Rest Stop” is a few years old, but everything I’d written prior to last year was dumb. Before guitar, I tried teaching myself how to play the tin whistle and this shabby electric keyboard, but never advanced to reading music, playing complete songs, or composing my own stuff. So, the first instrument that stuck was guitar. I’m not very good! The Miscreant: Who and what would you say your influences are? Elaiza: Lotsa kooky people like the folks from Elephant Six, Daniel Johnston, and Lemony Snicket. Lately, I’ve been listening to this Patsy Cline tape and stuff pals have recorded. Making music is always a cathartic process for me, so catharsis gets me writing more than another band, more than anything.
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