The surprisingly fertile music scene in Lawrence, Kan., has produced many a worthy act, not the least of which the often sweet and spastic Mates of State. Shifting bases to San Francisco and a growing following brought more joyfulness and honesty to the work of Kori Gardner (keyboard/vocals) and Jason Hammel (drums/vocals). Their fourth and possibly strongest most intriguing album to date, Bring It Back, has kept the married couple on the road for much of this year — but we put Kori in the mtvU Hot Seat long enough to answer our probing questions.
Q: Tell us about your craziest touring experience.
A: Bad crazy: Our van got broken into in London while we played and all of our tour cash, passports and Jason’s clothes got swiped. He wore grocery store underwear and glasses for the rest of the tour.
Good crazy: Despite a water main break in a Minneapolis club, the crowd stood in the flood to watch the rest of the show… that’s dedication and it felt good.
Q: What type of college class would you most want to take and why?
A: I’d take more women’s studies classes or some more art classes. I’ve heard of a college in the Northeast that has a class based around Sex and the City. We’d both take that class.
Q: What city in America is the most fun to visit and why?
A: San Francisco is the best place to visit. The weather is crisp and fall-like year round, it’s full of progressive thinkers and true hippies. Our old friends are all there and it’s the most beautiful city in the world.
Q: What’s some of the best advice you were ever given?
A: Speak for yourself.
Q: What’s in heavy rotation in your mp3/CD player right now?
A: My iPod is on continous shuffle but I love when Roberta Flack or Eef Barzeley comes on.
Q: The last good book you read or TV show you’re addicted to.
A: We are both fully addicted to The Sopranos and Weeds … and we worship Netflix. We’re in a dry spell with books right now (unless we’re talking about discipline books for toddlers).
Q: What’s the first concert you ever saw? How was it?
A: U2 on The Joshua Tree tour. My favorite part was the crowd still singing “how long will we sing this song” in the hallways on the way out. It was pretty moving for a 13 year old. Jason’s was Hurricane Alice. It “blew his mind.”
Q: What are three items you can’t live without on tour?
A: Sweatpants, my Sidekick or his Blackberry (crackberry) and pun dao hai (big sponge of the sea) which is a Chinese seed pod that temporarily cures laryngitis.
Q: Who are your major musical influences?
A: Mine are Jill Moffit, my mom and Lori Coscia (none of whom make music I listen to today, but at one point had huge musical influence on me). Jason’s are Snoopy Christmas [Merry Christmas, Charlie Brown], Josh Barruth and Matt Fauver (going way back).
Q: Any random messages or tips you’d like to give to mtvU watchers?
A: yes, buy our record.
