Getting Sassy with...Sea Wolf

We here around THE CULTURE OF ME were once obsessed with all things relating to Sassy and Dirt magazines. And while those titles are long gone, the sentiment of how they covered the culture industries has indeed left its mark on writers and culture vultures everywhere. It is because of that influence that we are proud to present our features post, "Getting Sassy with...", wherein we bring you that much closer to your favorite bands by way of a simple Q&A session that's both painless and informative. Ha! Beat that, FOX News!

This time: Sea Wolf.

(photo by Alex Prager)

The Los Angeles-based Sea Wolf really is the vehicle, creatively, of Alex Brown Church, the singer/songwriter and one-time member of Irving who is consistently backed by a revolving door of compatriots. After releasing three efforts--an EP, and two full lengths, the most-recent of which, White Water, White Bloom, just came out a little over a week ago--it seems like the indie rock act is showing no signs of slowing the pace or dying out any time soon. The progenitors of sunny, perfect-for-autumn indie pop are already on a ton of dates behind the disc and we caught up with Church and got our questionnaire back.

Name?
Alex Brown Church.

Hometown?
Berkeley, CA.

I now live in:
Los Angeles, CA.

Number of states visited?
49. Still have to hit Maine.

My favorite place in my hometown is:
Griffith Park.

Most recent phone bill total?
$84.47.

Items found in my day-to-day bag (if applicable)?
A couple of books, toothbrush and paste, notebooks, mini digital audio recorder, laptop.

First album bought on your own?
Rap! A hip-hop compilation, circa 1983.

Favorite song memorized as a child?
"Don't Fence Me In" as sung by Willie Nelson.

When I sing in the shower, it’s usually:
"New York, New York". Sinatra style.

The one song that must be on every mixtape is:
"A Day In The Life" by the Beatles.

Last book read?
Murder On The Orient Express by Agatha Christie.

Favorite book ever?
All The Pretty Horses by Cormac McCarthy.

Favorite thing you bought this year?
My Fireglo Rickenbacker 330 12-string electric guitar.

After the jump, Church tells us even more, like tales of retail, Lykke Li, the wonders of New York City and how to best push your own band's music videos.

Instruments played (chronologically)?
Violin, ages 8-9. Can't play a lick now, though. Then bass guitar, then guitar.

Least favorite day job before getting this gig?
Retail sales. I could never bring myself to tell people they looked good in that shirt.

Favorite record this year?
Monsters Of Folk.

Favorite record ever?
The Beatles AKA The White Album.

The one record I’d save from a house fire is:
My mom's copy of The White Album.

Guilty pleasure record you don’t want us to know about?
Lykke Li, Youth Novels. Though I don't feel that guilty about it.

My favorite place to play on tour is:
NYC, because it's my favorite city ever.

If I wasn’t doing music I would be:
Directing.

Last illegally downloaded song/album (be honest):
Some Paul Piché song, because I couldn't find it anywhere. That was a couple of years ago.

Latest TV addictions?
"Californication", "The Office", "Tim And Eric, Awesome Show Great Job!"

Favorite music video this year?
The Sea Wolf video for "Wicked Blood". Does that count?

Who is in your dream band (must be living musicians)?
No idea. I'm happy with the band I've got.

The best concert I went to this year was:
I haven't been to any concerts this year. Yikes.

Recent song you can't get out of your head?
"God & Suicide" by Blitzen Trapper.

Press play on your iPod/media player and list the first three songs that come up.
Two Sea Wolf song sketches and "City Of New Orleans" by Willie Nelson.

(mp3)    Sea Wolf - O Maria!

Godspeed!