INTERVIEW: Know Your LA Bands With Wait.Think.Fast.

BeatCrave brings you Echo Park-based band, Wait.Think.Fast., as part of our Know Your LA Bands series. Their name may derive from an inspirational phrase in the famous Siddhartha novel, but their sound is what currently gives inspiration and hope to fans and bands in Los Angeles.

Argentinian-born vocalist, Jacqueline Santillan, fronts the band on the keys while she sings optimism – sometimes in Spanish, sometimes in English – about the world that surrounds us. With Matthew Beighly, Apolinar Quentiro, and Thomas King collaborating with her, Wait.Think.Fast reels out rich electro-pop rock symphonies of spirited justification with an ethnic twist.

If you’ve yet to experience the lush sounds of Wait.Think.Fast, they will be on KPFK Radio at 8:00pm on December 13th. Better yet, you can see them live as part of the Eagle Rock Bowling and Drinking Club Holiday Show on December 14th at 9:00pm!

I was lucky enough to have a quick chat with the band about their CD release party, Echo Park and puppet shows. Check out our exclusive interview with Wait.Think.Fast. below!

How did you decide to start a band?

Jacqueline: I was in a band called Central City Transmission and just loved it. When Brett from CCT moved to NY to go to grad school, the band slowly stopped. I’d grown used to making music with a group of people. It’s the best – much more fun than playing the piano by myself in my living room. So I started WTF.

How do you decide which lyrics are in Spanish and which are in English?

J: I don’t decide. I just start singing and whatever happens, happens.
Matthew: We hired a think-tank to do demographic research on which tunes would appeal to which audience.
J: No, we didn’t.

Many of your lyrics focus on world issues. Would you consider yourselves a political band?

J: I just write about what I see and what interests me. It’s a great big world out there with so many stories to be told.

Congrats on the release of Vuelve al Mar! What are you most proud of in terms of recording on this EP?

J: Thank you ! I’m really proud of how this band has grown and come together as songwriters. Matt did an amazing job producing these songs, especially “Cien Fuegos”.
M: We did most of it ourselves. Technology has made the record company “authorization/validation” process of recording irrelevant.
Polo: I’m really proud of the do it yourself factor that went in this record. When it came down to laying down vocals, sounds, signal processing and other layers, a lot of that work we have to give props to Matt. Also, all the other musicians and friends that helped out whether it was playing violin , trumpets or just lending us a good mic and advice for doing some recording. We’re very fortunate to know some friends of the band who are engineers to guided us on how to do some of this stuff.

Jacqueline, your mom made some fantastic empanadas for the CD release party! Do all your parents support you as musicians?

M: When I would sing in the basement as a wee lad, my dad would often open the door and tell me to stop stepping on the cat’s tail.
P: My parents are supportive. I invite my moms occasionally to shows.
J: My parents bought me a piano they couldn’t afford when I was a kid. When I would get tired of practicing my dad would shout “No pain- No gain!” I should’ve called the band Carmen y Julio.

I read on your MySpace page that your name, Wait.Think.Fast comes from a Siddhartha novel. How did this come about?

J: When I read the lines “I can think. I can wait. I can fast.” as Siddhartha’s response to what his most prized and important possessions are, I thought it amazing. It’s simple and sophisticated. All that you need you already have. I love that idea and wanted to always have it in mind.

Would you say your music is optimistic?

J: Yeah for sure. It’s becoming more so. I think, generally, the sound is kind of dark and moody but faith and hope are major themes in everything I write.
P: I would say so. On this record a couple of the songs musically have haunting feel to them and I think that’s about as dark as we go. Other songs are really pretty and imaginative. But over all the writing isn’t sad or angry.

Echo Park seems to be the center of LA’s indie music scene today. Why do you think that is?

M: Way fewer actors live over here on the East Side. Want a cool music scene? Flee from the actors.
P: I think there’s a mix of cultures and music here that makes it exciting. I think the people here appreciate that diversity.
J: Echo Park is just beautiful.

Some indie bands that sing in Spanish have many fans outside the US. Is this true for Wait.Think.Fast?

J: I got a whole bunch of fans in Mendoza, Argentina!
M: My dad lives in Hong Kong, he is indeed a big fan of our music.
P: Well, I think we’re trying to get there. There’s a whole other group of listeners out there that I think would enjoy our music.

What is your favorite song to play live?

J: I LOVE “Surface Streets.”
M: “Clear Our Name.” I get to beat my Rickenbacker into submission.
P: My new favorite song to play live is actually a song not on the record. It’s a new one called “You Will Know.” It’s pretty and it takes off!

Quick-Fire Round:
Where’s your favorite LA place to play a show?

J & P: The Echo or Echoplex.
M: I love The Echo; it’s our neighborhood haunt.

What TV show annoys you most?

J: Anything with a bunch of jerks fighting over one guy or girl. Although I watched Rock of Love on a plane once and it’s so gross it’s awesome, but I don’t have cable so it’s not for me.
M: Any show about a fat dude married to a hot lady. Never never never happens.
P: American Idol.

What’s one song you can never get sick of?

J: John Lennon – “Watchin’ the Wheels”
M: Otis Redding – “Pain In My Heart” Best voice. Ever.
P: Talking Heads – “This Must Be The Place!” … It’s my happy place.

Tell us one thing about yourself we probably don’t already know.

J: I love puppet shows.
M: Jacq always makes me put on puppet shows for her.
P: I have Eduardo Capetillo chest hair. Look him up.

Photography courtesy of Wait.Think.Fast.