05/10/10
Text: Kee Chang
Photographers: Brent Mullins
Spring Summer—a.k.a. North Carolina-bred singer-songwriter Jennifer Furches—marries angelic, wispy vocals with a folksy, back-porch aesthetic to create meandering acoustic numbers that are both confessional and melancholic. Check out this music video directed by Roman Coppola to get a little taste of what we’re talking about. You can also purchase Spring Summer’s self-titled debut album over at iTunes.
Furches laid down her Vital Stats for Anthem on the run up to her shows in Paris at Club Le Baron and La Cigale (supporting Micky Green) last month.
BAND NAME: Spring Summer
HOMETOWN: Los Angeles
DESCRIBE YOUR SOUND IN TWO SENTENCES: Sometimes folky. Sometimes pop-y.
FAVORITE NIGHTSPOT IN THE CITY YOU CALL HOME: It’s probably pretty uncool to say this, but with the exception of playing shows, it’s been years since I spent much time in any “nightspots.” However, there’s this one small bar that I love in Hollywood called The Laundry Bar. It only fits about ten people and it has karaoke.
HOTTEST OP STAR: I don’t feel qualified to answer this question, but Lady Gaga is fascinating to me.
HOTTEST DEAD ROCKER: I could listen to Gram Parsons and John Martyn all day.
FAVORITE NOW DEFUNCT LABEL: My favorite label is Merge. They’re alive and kicking like an animal!
WHO’S MORE CREATIVE, AN EARLY BIRD OR A NIGHT OWL? I’ve tried both and although I appreciate the romance of it, the alcohol involved in the night owl attempts has me asleep before I even have a shot at it. I prefer a long, bored afternoon. The last frantic hour before I have to be somewhere is always the most productive.
SOMETHING THAT’S ALWAYS IN YOUR POCKET/PURSE/WALLET: I have this Weezer guitar pic that I caught at a show ten years ago. They played in a school gym in Raleigh, North Carolina—it was pretty great. I’m not like a crazy Weezer fan, but it was a fun night and I’ve moved it from wallet to wallet over the years without ever really thinking about it.
BEST RECENT PURCHASE: Piano lessons!
MOST MEMORABLE SHOW YOU’VE PLAYED: Many years ago, when I was in another band, the bass player turned around mid-song in front of a sold out show and told me he was too stoned to stand and begged for my permission so he could just sit down and relax for a second. I’ve never laughed so hard, and I have occasionally wondered what the crowed must’ve thought of our animated conversation.
LYRIC YOU’RE MOST PROUD OF: Yikes... Nothing ever sounds as good out of context.
MOST DIFFICULT ASPECT OF RECORDING: At the beginning: Overcoming inhibitions. By the summer: The broken air conditioner.
ONE BRAND YOU MIGHT CONSIDER SELLING A SONG TO: Hopefully one with good taste. But for the right price, I may just throw those scruples out the window. It costs a lot of money to tour with a band, and I’m not sure where else musicians get it these days.
DECIPHER THIS WEIRD FORTUNE COOKIE: “THIS IS THE TIME TO MAKE CIRCLES WITH MINTS. DO NOT HASTE ANY LONGER.” Sugar is bad for you unless you draw with it first.
