Spirit Vine (photo by Karri Bowman)

SPIRIT VINE conjures a retro-future where folks still read The Doors of Perception, seek enlightenment in shaman directed spiritual sweat-lodges and go Bathing at Baxters.

They’re bringing their reverb drenched tribal love rock to Spaceland Thursday May 6 along with Roughed Up Folk – My Pet Saddle – and members of Dios performing as Special K & Flying J (who will be performing songs from an upcoming Beck covers album).

Spirit Vine’s GOLDEN ep has been getting some well-reviewed attention, and the band is working on a full length album while weathering some changes. I had a chance to interview their dynamic lead vocalist Jacquelinne and here without furthur comment  is our conversation:

WES (Mister Nervous):

You guys have come a long way as a band since I first saw you at 14 Below, but right away I was impressed with the message you were trying to get across in the music and words. Could you try to describe the intention, the message that drives your music?

Jacquelinne (Spirit Vine)

Anything that inspires, helps people grow, transforms, pulsates, makes people imagine…I am really into cycles right now…death and rebirth, moving out of the past and keeping your intentions as honest as possible.

WES:

Your recent GOLDEN ep has been getting some very positive write-ups online lately and you’re still recording new stuff. Are you planning to release a full cd in the future?

Jacquelinne:

Hell yeah! We are in the midst of writing it right now….so amazing to see how the sound evolves…like watching a baby grow in front of your eyes….the process will be a little different too….we used to record in a back house/Wooden Ship in Echo Park…now we have graduated to Kelly’s farm in Silverlake…we will also be in good hands with Anthony Caruso who will be recording this record…everything else is a secret

WES:

Three of you were in Wake Up Incinerate (I still play that cd sometimes) and Spirit Vine is a very different thing. What prompted you to form Spirit Vine?
Jacquelinne:

Honestly, Gabe and I started smoking a lot of weed…we were definitely opening doors of perception…we got really into old Pink Floyd, Syd Barett, Bob Dylan ( I know, I know I started my Bob Dylan phase later…at least I admit it) Memphis Jug Band, and a bunch of old blues. We started writing in a style that felt really honest and coming from the soul and knew we were flying in the right direction.

WES:

How do you compose your songs? Is it individuals bringing complete songs to the band or is it more of a democratic group effort?

Jacquelinne:

There is no format…it started as Gabe and I writing a lot and then became whatever feels good…whatever is good for the tune

WES:

Do you think the “album” era is really over (full cd’s over 30 minutes often produced to be consistent in theme and sound) or is there still interest in longer works by artists?

Jacquelinne:

Oh no…I hope not! I love collecting records and if money served me right I would collect a lot more….one of my favorite things is the smell of old vinyl and geeking out to all of the cool artwork, lyrics, thank yous, who played what on this record, blah blah blahs

WES:

People have tried to describe your sound but is there a way you like to characterize it?

Jacquelinne:

Maybe if Mazzy Star had a drug problem and had a love child with Keith Richards who was also sleeping with Stevie Nicks who then injected Howlin’ Wolf and Sun House into the veins of Lennon’s imagination, Lou Reed’s swagger and Iggy Pop’s fist….phew!

WES:

Do you guys do a lot of reading? What is it you’re reading recently?

Jacquelinne:

Uh yeah! My mom always jokes that I am exactly like my dad…enjoying myself in a room full of books…it is so weird it is hysterical….right now I am reading Crime and Punishment, Jazz, The Sorcerer’s Way and well How To Read the Tarot….Gabe is currently working on Cash by Johnny Cash and onto Joseph Campbell…again and again and again and again

WES:

You have been playing some more high profile venues lately like the Hotel Cafe, what do you think has been the most responsible for the band’s rise in visibility?

Jacquelinne:

Weed

WES:

The band is going through some changes recently and it looks like you’re going to have a new bass player. Is there anything you’d like to say about that?

Jacquelinne:

Yeah anyone wanna join us? No, really, we are pretty sad about it…we are loosing an OG member and the backbone to the sound….he always has a place with us.

WES:

What’s your favorite food (or if you prefer what is your favorite color)?

Jacquelinne:

Pizza and salsa and tacos and avocados and… wine… I don’t care that it is not a food!

WES:

Is there anything you want to add, or something you’re just aching to say?

Jacquelinne:

We ain’t dead…yet

Mister Nervous played Blue Day with Ben Fordham on violin at the DRAMA cd release party last week

We had a great time jamming with our friends last week at the Unknown Theater where we released our new CD Drama. Almost everyone who sang or played on the record was able to come out and make that big sound come alive. Lydee from the Sundowners sent along some pix that we’ll put up in the images area, Thanx Lydee! We’ll be playing more shows with the Sundowners this year, Dennis has already set one up for June at The Old Towne Pub in Pasadena, and we’re grateful for that because we love playing with those guys! In fact: I want to thank everyone who made it out to the show last Thursday for their support.

Now just in case you were one of those unfortunates who managed to miss out on that show here’s your next opportunity to rectify that terrible error (AH-HA-hahaha) ’cause we’re playing at the Silver Factory Studios this SUNDAY 3/28. We’ll have our friends Rocking Horse People and Megasapien with us so if you didn’t catch their recent performances at Echo Curio and the Unknown … well then you gotta complete win/win/win situation on hand here!

SUNDAY MARCH 28th

Silver Factory Studios 3/28/2010

SILVER FACTORY STUDIOS
10pm: ROCKING HORSE PEOPLE
11pm: MISTER NERVOUS
12:00 : MEGASAPIEN

Thursday 3/18  -  Doors open at 10pm

$10 at the door… awesome space, affordable drinks, great music!

You’re coming, yeah?