- 27
- Jun
Unless you were born with one of those silver spoons, you likely work a day job, sneaking time for your own business when not taking care of someone else's. You're not alone. Every week, Brandon Stosuy finds out how our favorite indie artists make ends meet...
When I spoke with main Man Man Ryan Kattner, a.k.a. Honus Honus, his troupe of Philadelphia noisemakers was in a fittingly loud van en route to a headlining show at the BackBooth in Orlando -- Pong, squeaks, chickens, sound loops, Middle Eastern radio, and various strands of skronk spiraled in the background during our conversation. (A trio of Florida dates is followed by Athens then the free McCarren Park show this weekend in our neck of the woods, etc.) Most folks know Kattner sports that Manson stache, charms Modest Mouse fans, gobbles vegan gourmet, and rocks out while the peanut and cilantro-infused noodles are still digesting -- but until recently he steamed milk for coffee lovers at the Last Drop in the City of Brotherly Love. (See you if you can spot him at the café's Belle & Sebastian-blasting MySpace).
While we spoke he often switched to the present tense regarding the barista gig and mentioned he isn't making enough from Man Man to pay the bills. So yeah, like many folks in many currently successful bands, he might not be a day-job ex-pat just yet. I don't feel like I'm jinxing or hexing him by saying that: Kattner's definitely fond of his time at the Last Drop; in fact, I didn't bother transcribing a few extra riffs on how "awesome" the folks are/and the place is, etc. (It's sorta interesting to see the various overlaps/differences between this talk and the one with Hutch of the Thermals in mid-March.)
Of course, Man Man's known more for manic shows (white pants, white heat) than coffee skills, so it's great they were able to pass along this version of a new song, "Spooky Jookie," captured in all its shaggy-waltzing glory at D.C.'s 9:30 club. You'll find it after our conversation.