Interesting Hobbies Club have Current Joys: Alex Prichett of indie rockers Interesting Hobbies Club told us about his Current Joys experience.
Alex Prichett: Last Saturday I went with the rest of Interesting Hobbies Club, our four-piece indie rock group, to Current Joys’ performance at the Wiltern. To say the experience was captivating would be a massive understatement. Walking into the main hall of the Wiltern we were swallowed by the crowd of thousands of fans – musicians, artists, and pretentious indie kids like ourselves – who had made the pilgrimage to see Current Joys live.
Almost immediately after we made our way down and squeezed ourselves neatly into an open space in the crowd, we were approached by a tall, overly friendly, bespectacled twenty-something and a shorter guy rocking a beanie and jeans. They introduced themselves to us, and we struck up a beer-fueled conversation that traveled everywhere from music appreciation to a makeshift group therapy session. It was weird, of course, and maybe more emotional than the setting called for. But for anyone who knows the music of Current Joys, it’s exactly the kind of conversation you’d expect to have.
Nick Rattigan and his crew stepped onto stage and were greeted by a chorus of cheers.
“Take your shirt off!”
“Play Surf Curse!”
“I love you!”
Heckling, in-jokes, and professions of love chorused throughout the venue. As they launched into an amped up version of their perennial hit song “Kids,” it was clear just how dedicated the thousands of fans packing The Wiltern were. Jumping up and down, we screamed the lyrics alongside the rest of the venue. I will remember the rule-defying weed smoke, surfy chorused guitars, and live amplified kick drum for the rest of my life. The importance of live music goes beyond simply witnessing a phenomenal performance. The ability to create music that brings together a community of like-minded musicians, artists, and weirdos is what makes a live concert truly great.
Interesting Hobbies Club have Current Joys: Interesting Hobbies Club play March 15 at the Goldfish. The new album Spring Cleaning is out now.