"Atmospheric" is one of those ten-cent words that music writers like to use whenever a band coats their songs with the least bit of reverb. But atmospheric seems like the best adjective to describe a band whose xylophone samples and syncopated cymbal beats gives a rather clear visual of a waterfall, all from the comfort of a local concert venue. But before thinking that Bellflur belongs on one of those Pure Moods CDs, they'll rock out like they've found a way to reinterpret The Bends so that it fills every nook of a room, complete with electric (not stand-up) bass played with violin bow and screeching guitar-meets-drumstick distortion.

This self-described shy band makes their presence known on CD and onstage, and it's well worth paying attention. We sat down recently with the band, singer/keyboardist Carlos "Clover" Gonzalez, bassist Tom "Nooks and Crannies" Longobardi, guitarist/kitchen sink Patrick "Hat-trick" Edwards and drummer Hunter "DK26" Sapp. Exit Clov's Susan and Emily Hsu who contribute their violins and voices to the Bellflur albums and live shows also contributed their thoughts on a couple of these questions.

Visit Bellflur online at: myspace.com/bellflur or bellflur.com

See them next: The UMUC radio show "3rd Rail Radio" on May 25th with the band Watch Man Walk.

Buy their music: iTunes, Cd Baby, Crooked Beat

Questions for Bellflur

How did the four of you meet each other?

TL: We all met off Craigslist in the "casual encounters section."

CG: Well, it was on Craigslist. It's not just for old TVs and casual encounters.

PE: Craigslist is a splendid thing 5 percent of the time. I was (and still am) playing in another band, but wanted to get a little more unorthodox. I was just about to post a Craigslist ad but saw that Tom had posted one after their guitarist, Yoshi, had left for NYC. So I responded. Met with them two days later and that was that. I think my selling point was when they asked how many pedals I used and my response was "about 42." I've downgraded since then though.

Did you find difficulties (transportation or otherwise) coming from as far out as Gaithersburg, getting a start in D.C.?

TL: Our biggest problem is finding a place for all of our gear. We usually all take our own cars not only because we have to fit everything but just in case there's a lucky lady that needs a ride home...

CG: It isn't too bad. We live off River Road and just take that into the city. But when we play out of town we always have to rent a van to carry all our stuff. Gas is expensive, too. But random Roy Rogers stops always cheers me up.

Does Maryland have some overlooked spots that have provided for fun shows?

TL: Uhh, my fave was the pool party at the Bellflur Mansion!

PE: Yes. The mansion at which we rehearse. It's huge. It's cavernous. It's Branch-Dividian-esque. But it's got a mighty fine outdoor pool/patio area from which we've done a show or two before. But the fuzz always comes a knockin' and ruins it.

CG: We had fire dancers in the pool with us the last time. A giant slip 'n' slide and sumo wrestling next time.

Do you have a specific sound that you're trying to achieve, a certain atmosphere that you're trying to create?

TL: Not necessarily. I think it's something that just happens; a sort of fusion of all our influences.

CG: I always liked the moodiness and the way the Doors music lulls me to where I don't pay attention to the music but it makes my mind wander about different things. So if any of that made sense then that is what I go for. I always feel like Karl Pilkington when I answer questions.

How does your songwriting process work? Is it mostly one person or is it more collective?

PE: While I would say it's collective, Carlos drives a lot of this. Carlos will often have an idea floating around in his head and will come in a few days later with a brief explanation of the idea. Then we run it a couple of times in a very free-form way to see if anything branches off of the idea. It's fun these days because the "ideas" are often a terse drum beat or one simple vocal line. Many times we (the other three) will get in the way because we hear something just slightly different in terms of dynamic or atmosphere. Which Carlos loves! But it's a constant challenge to not screw up the original intention or idea or at least give it a chance before we try to change it too much. But luckily, Carlos will come in with many an idea that the three of us can immediately work off of and turn in a song at the end of a rehearsal which is 85 percent worked out. The other 15 percent seems to get worked out after playing the song live time and time again.

CG: I know I am a pain to work with, but just because I have fun tinkering with our songs even if we are used to a certain form already.

From seeing you live I noticed that you guys have a whole lot of "toys" that you play with onstage. Do you think you could give me a laundry list of what you bring onstage with you?

CG: Haha, that just doubled the length of the interview.

PE: One four piece drum set, Custom Mapleworks set or Silver Sparkle Gretsch Catalina, One silver-sparkle cocktail drum kit, Vox AC-30 guitar amp (Patrick), Roland Keyboard amp (Carlos), Fender Deluxe Guitar Amp (Carlos), Mesa Boogie bass amp and Cabinet (Tom), Two samplers, 1 Korg Kaoss Pad v3 (which also holds samples), 1 Mini Kaoss Pad, Nord Electro 2 (for piano and Rhodes sounds), Yamaha CP-70 (it's sooooo heavy), Korg MS-2000 Synth, Casio VL-Tone (Tom's prized possession), Novation Bass Station, Musser Glockenspiel, Custom Noise Theremin Box, A couple of vocal effect boxes, LOTS OF EFFECTS PEDALS spread across 4 gigantic pedalboards. If I had to venture a guess, I would estimate 45-50 pedals between Carlos, Tom and I. Carlos uses a custom made guitar, made by Tom, called "El Negro." Tom uses a Fender Jaguar Bass. Patrick uses a Fender Jazzmaster. Hunter will be adding a sampler, a Microkorg and a little thing called a Kaossilator to his set-up in the next months. Lots of extension cords. Lots of Keyboards stands. Lots of audio cables. When Emily and Susan do shows with us, tack on an additional pedal board of effects, two violins, and extra vocal mic and an extra DI (direct box).

TL: That was hard enough to type...imagine having to move it to every gig.

Tom, could you explain to me, is that a whale or a shark that you're shaking onstage?

TL: Well it has numerous names... punk rock shark/whale, bondage whale, etc., but due to lack of dorsal fin, I'd have to say its a whale. It's a toy I've had since I was a kid. I remember playing with it in the bathtub as a youngin. I found it recently and it needed some love, so, add punk rock collar (so he feels badass), shove some egg shakers inside, instant percussion instrument. It went over well with the 3 year olds at the crazy quilt festival.

Your tour blog says that you're putting your first music video together. Could you tell me a little bit more about the video?

CG: We are working with some friends on different video ideas. Hopefully we will be putting together a video for each of the songs on the new album. We would like to release it as a CD/DVD. Our first double album : ) I think we will have at least one finished in the next couple months. If anyone is interested in being filmed in a formal dance sorta event please let us know at bellflur@bellflur.com. Oh and Tom edited his first video. It's here.

What acts do you think have had the most influence on how you sound?

CG: For me, Wolf Parade, Sigur Ros, Arcade Fire, and Sparkle Horse.

TL: Sonic Youth and the Flaming Lips.

HS: For me, Aphex Twin, Elvin Jones and Ari Hoenig.

PE: Once I realized where Bellflur was going (musically) after I joined the band, my sound started to, unknowingly, adapt. And for that, I've taken a lot of influence from Metric, Nels Cline, Tortoise, and, if you can believe it, Jon Spencer Blues Explosion. I'm not sure if those are apparent in any of the band's music, but they've served as huge inspiration for me to work through Bellflur tunes. The normal influences are still there though: Sigur Ros, Broken Social Scene, Radiohead, etc.

CG: Hat-trick talks a lot.

You've played some new tracks at live shows recently. Do you expect that you'll be recording these anytime in the near future?

TL: We are mid-sessions with audio genius Eamonn Aiken.

PE: And we're scheduled to start back with Eamonn in May.

Do you have any venues in the DC area that you particularly like?

TL: I really like Jammin Java, Black Cat, and R-n-R despite the location.

HS: BlackCat BlackCat, Rock n Roll, Jammin Java

TL: The Black Cat backstage is a cozy home away from home and the folks at Rock N' Roll Hotel are impeccable. The sound guys at IOTA and Jammin' Java have also been a pleasure.

Who are your favorite D.C. area bands to play with?

PE: Deleted Scenes, Len Bias, and although they're not specifically D.C.-based, Seamonster and Hundred Hundred. Because its like a big family reunion.

HS: Len Bias, Seamonster

TL: The Deleted Scenes. Watch Man Walk. Blackout District

CG: I really liked playing with the Bonapartes and Exit Clov. We've played a few times together with each of them. And I missed Hundred Hundred but heard they were fantastic.

How did you guys start working with the Hsu sisters?

CG: We met the Hsu sisters through our friend Blake who plays in Seamonster and used to play with us. He knew them through his girlfriend's roommate or something like that I believe. We were trying to set up a show with Exit Clov. I guess we met when we played together and kept asking them to help us on projects and they have been nice enough to help out a lot.

What is your favorite thing about the D.C. music scene?

TL: Hmm...free beer at shows?

HS: 9:30 Club

PE: Possibility.

Your least favorite?

HS: Driving.

TL: It's very cliquey. It's all about who you know.

PE: Fragmentation

CG: So many 21+ spots. They just feel different and odd. Like being at work. Well not like work. It's probably just me

What bands are you listening to right now?

TL: The new Radiohead. The new Portishead.

CG: All the "head" bands. Oh, the "Headbands."

TL: Flaming Lips and Minus the Bear.

HS: Tortoise, Yppah, Dragons 1976, Aphex Twin.

PE: I'm listening to a lot of electronic and pseudo-electronic stuff at the moment: Four Tet, Brazilian Girls, Matt Chamberlain, Efterklang, Mum. But, I just broke out The Walkmen the other day and remembered how much I love that album Bows and Arrows.

CG: Wolf Parade, Arcade Fire, Sparklehorse and They Might Be Giants.

Finally, can you speak to the excellence of cinnamon pop tarts?

TL: Cinnanmon Pop Tarts + blue Powerade = best hangover cure ever. It helped me pass college.

SH: Did you mean to say cinnamon pop farts? Because otherwise I have nothing to say on that subject.

PE: I'm a blueberry, no frosting Pop Tart guy myself.

HS: I don't like Cinnamon. I like S'more Pop Tarts.

CG: Cinnamon Pop Tarts and milk.