Track Marks is a new weekly music questionnaire for people who make and or love music. The people change but the questions remain the same. Check my blog every Thursday morning for a new edition, and shoot me an email if you want to get in on the action.
This special mid-week Track Marks is brought to you courtesy of the always smiling adorable 21-year-old beat machine and scene queen Kelsey Kaufmann, who kept time in defunct hardcore Cougar Den and most recently Centipedes.
Despite being half-way around the world in Cairo, Egypt, where she studies Arabic and development, Kaufmann has stayed involved in Milwaukee where she helps run the multimedia Riverwest art space The Jackpot Gallery and basement show space The Eagles Nest.
Kaufmann talked with Onmilwaukee.com about Ace of Base, Egyptian riot grrrl drum circles and not feeling Ke$ha.
Onmilwaukee.com: What was the first tape/CD/record/8 track you ever owned?
Kelsey Kaufmann: Ace of Base's "Cruel Summer" was my first CD. I bought it with a gift card from my neighbors right after my 9th birthday. Not really sure what compelled that. Prior to this, I inherited a bunch of tapes from my mom and sister: Madonna, The Beatles, The Cars, Boyz II Men. I remember jamming Cyndi Lauper's "She's So Unusual" on the way to my grandma's house the summer I got a tape player.
OMC: What was the first concert you attended?
KK: My first concert was Shania Twain on her "The Woman in Me" tour. I was 7 or 8. My Uncle Walter took me and we had a ball. Hilarious.
OMC: What was the last concert you attended?
KK: I saw Mazaher, a predominately women's ensemble in Cairo. It is traditional music that is part of the "Zar" ritual of healing through dancing and drumming. The show site describes the Zar as, "a space in which women can work out the tensions and frustrations of social constraints which limit their movements, their dress, their voices and even their dreams." Sounds like it has the potential to be cheesy, but it was really rad. It was at this dark lil nook of a cultural center called the Makan. Think old soul and polyrhythms.
OMC: Who is one popular musician or music act you just can't understand?
KK: Toss up between Ke$ha and Belle & Sebastian. I don't get the hype behind either. No surprises.
OMC: Musically, what are you into that you're embarrassed to admit to?
KK: Hmm ... the first thing I thought was Bright Eyes, then I thought about the old Blood Brothers records that I occasionally put on.
My most recent embarrassing music moment was a few weeks ago when my mom was visiting. We were in a store and a Kylie Minogue song came on. Without realizing it, I started dancing, humming and goofing off. I caught myself only to realize that an older woman was staring at me. I guess I associated my Fall roomies with that song. Owe them for that lil' number.
OMC: What are you listening to right now?
KK: I just downloaded Sat. Nite Duets; mostly Milwaukee-based sweet peeps and catchy tunes akin to the Silver Jews. I'm on my second listen-through. Also, Absolutely's debut record "Learning to Love Mistakes." Their song "Boat Punk Crust Chic" has been the opening to my running mix.
Other than that, I've been listening to Big Business, Usaisamonster, Former Thieves, The Black Angels, The Octopus Project and the Mae Shi. Every morning I play The Cave Singers' song "Bricks of our Home." Despite the kinda melancholy vibes, it makes me think of my favorite folks back home.
OMC: What song do you want played at your funeral?
A long time ago I thought "Is that All there Is?" by Peggy Lee seemed eerie and fitting. I'll stand by that.
OMC: What artist changed your life and how?
KK: Matt Skiba. When I was in 7th grade my friend Peter gave me an Alkaline Trio record. In 8th grade we tromped down to their sold out show at The Globe. Peter and Justin stuck it out and managed to make it in. Kristina and I didn't. Anyway, Alkaline Trio was the first ''punk'' band that reeled me in and introduced me to underground music.
I was obsessed with Asian Man records. I feel like Mike Park, who ran that label, showed us the ropes of D.I.Y. productions. I was so excited and impressed by a random note I received in a mail-order. Little details like that sets this scene and community apart. Matt Skiba's split with Kevin Seconds and the first few Alkaline Trio records were the anthems to angsty adolescence. I think Skiba's newer releases are dirt, but I'll always have love for the oldies.
OMC: If you could see anyone perform past or present who would it be?
KK: Oh! In their heydays, Bowie, Jackson 5 and Black Sabbath.
Botch, Majority Rule and Welcome the Plague Year. Those are three old screamo bands that I am bummed I missed seeing. If I could only choose one band, it'd be Godspeed You! Black Emperor. They are doing a reunion tour this winter and spring. I considered going to Athens, Greece to see them in December, but I'm on a tight budget. I'm kinda kicking myself for not just doing it.
OMC: If you could spend one day with any artist living or dead who would it be?
KK: Maybe Kathleen Hanna (Bikini Kill/Le Tigre)? That's really tough. Jarvis Cocker popped into my head, too. This question warrants a lot more consideration.
OMC: If you were stranded on an island with one record for the rest of your life what would it be?
KK: For island hits, a Beach Boys or Bad Brains record. Nah, perhaps "You, You're A History in Rust" by Do Make Say Think. That record has started and ended most of the papers I have written. It has been played on countless overnight drives. It builds and busts. Sometimes I can't stand how certain songs open, but by the middle I am re-enticed.
