Five Questions With… shishi

Band: shishi
Country of Origin: Lithuania
Photo by: Dalia Mikonyte

I have to give credit to friend of the show and occasional show host Nick Pulpman for turning me on to shishi during one of his COVID-19 quarantine DJ sets. This Lithuanian band is as refreshing as Šaltibarščiai, chilled beet soup and national dish that I just learned about through this interview (and tried my hand at making; to great success on a hot summer day).

In fact, to compare them to Šaltibarščiai is very apt. Appearing simple at first, only to quickly actualize into a mouthful of complex flavors composed within a smooth, sweet ocean of beats (see what I did there?). The band’s 2018 release, NA x 80, is a soulful, surfy soundtrack that pairs well with a warm day. The heat in North Carolina is picking up and NA x 80 is certainly going to help cool me down over the next few months until their follow-up release, Mafitishei, drops.

1. What is your desert island disc (the one album you couldn’t live without)

Well for few years, I (Victoria, bass) keep on listening to Khruangbin – Con Todo El Mundo

2. How did the band members meet (or, for a solo musician, how did you get started)?

Originally, Victoria and ex Franchesca were band mates in another band, and started playing around with instruments, and in a short while they understood – “WE NEED A GUITAR”. That’s how they fished out Maria Rosa from the ocean. After few years, Francescha said bye-bye and then Benadetta appeared. The power of Internet and talking to bunch of strangers and friends helped.

3. What is the underground music scene like in your home country?

Is underground music scene the same like alternative music scene? I guess. I think it’s great, we’re really rich with beautiful music, different sorts, everybody can sing sort of :D, jazz, rock, punk, shizzlevanizzle – you name it – we have it.

4. What are some of your biggest influences outside of music?

Nature and Šaltibarščiai (pink cold beetroot soup – vegan – amazing. ) [editors note: a hard second, this soup is amazing]

5. Tell us about your favorite show you ever played.

Hmm, Berlin pops in my mind now. We played in this cinema event, pre-party, or after-party – not sure. And people were really joyful and they SANG OUR SONGS 😀 I was overwhelmed. My favorite gigs, I think, are always abroad. Just because, just because. Or maybe I’m telling lies. I don’t know, I forgot everything 😀

Ryan

Ryan first discovered his love of radio at WSOE FM, where he spent all 4 years of college as a DJ, 2 as program director, and 1 as general manager. While his musical tastes are fairly broad, he has a big nerdy spot in his heart for prog rock.