Photo by Eliot Brasseaux

There’s something very thoughtful and intentional about Frau Eva. The trio of Vanessa Degrassi, David Klinger and Ben Usie (singers and multi-instrumentalists, all) have clearly thought through every note, every lively “la da da,” and every heartbreaking melody. No drumbeat seems misplaced. It’s as if they took the bohemian spirit of Devendra Banhart, the pathos of Ben Gibbard and the meticulous arrangement of Grizzly Bear and turned these elements into their own soft-spoken anthems, referencing everything from Hermann Hesse to The Smiths. The songs on the their EP, Rip Out The Threads, can effectively soundtrack intimate moments alone.

Talking to Frau Eva, however, was a far more relaxed affair. They were more than willing to give insight into their long and labored creative process and after the jump, you’ll find out their favorite spots to have played and their idea of the ideal alternative venue…if only electricity were optional.

Find them on the web at: http://www.myspace.com/frauevamusic

See them next: At DC9 on October 14 for the SAFE & Sound Benefit Show

Buy their album: Online at Band Camp or at any of their shows.

So how long has Frau Eva been a band? I know that you were starting to talk about it back in March.

Vanessa: We didn’t have a name then.

Ben: But we started arranging these songs in January. It was just several sessions in my room building some project and then it ended up being this.

Vanessa: David and I have known each other for a year and a half. Then we met Ben a year ago.

How did you guys meet?

David: We met in a band, Ash Lovely. She responded to a Craigslist ad.

Vanessa: Basically, on Craigslist. And then Ben eventually joined the band also. Then we all left.

Ben: I joined the band a year ago, in September, and we played for a few months. Then Dave moved into this house and, can I say that Dave and Vanessa are dating? So we hung out a lot, us three, and had a very similar visions. And so we broke off from the last band and took a little time to see what happened but ended up forming Frau Eva.