Tomorrow night the curtain will rise on our second Unbuckled, a fantastic night of music at DC9 featuring The Hard Tomorrows, Olivia Mancini and the Housemates, and DJ Leafblower. We’ll be giving away tons of stuff, tossing back the beer, and generally enjoying some of the best bands that Washington has to offer. Today and tomorrow, we’ll be taking a quick look at the acts that will take the stage at our show, and we begin with the very talented Olivia Mancini, who was kind enough to answer our questions about her latest project, the band, and the music we look forward to hearing on Thursday.

How would you describe your new group to fans of Washington Social Club [in which Olivia is the bassist]? How is the sound different? What should they expect on Thursday night?

Social Club fans will find at least one thing familiar: Mr. Randy Scope. At Thursday’s show, Randy of the WSC will be filling in for the Housemates’ Dan Swenson. Sadly, Dan, our trumpet player, couldn’t make this show, so Randy will be playing his own sweet rhythms and melodies on the guitar and keyboard. Sometimes simultaneously.

Are The Housemates your backing band or are you a proper group?

Everyone in the Housemates has been very giving of their time and energy to this project, considering how busy everyone is with their own, sometimes multiple, bands. Ed Donohue, our guitarist, is otherwise known as Donny Hue, of Donny Hue and the Colors. Drummer Jonathan Roth plays drums also for Meredith Bragg and the Terminals.
Kristin Forbes, who plays bass and sings back up in the Housemates, plays guitar in Recoupero and in her own group, the Kristin Forbes Band.

Is this officially a “side project”? What are your goals for the group?

The Housemates are about living in the present moment. I had some songs that don’t quite fit with the Social Club, and I’m not that keen on performing by myself. So it made sense to get a bunch of friends together and see what we could do with the material. We have a good time together and enjoy playing shows. That’s where we’re at right
now.

How do you find the time to play in multiple bands?

You can always make time for the things you love.

Kyle Gustafson assisted in writing this post. Unbuckled graphics designed by Holly Tegeler. Picture of Olivia Mancini from bitchingandmoaning.org.