NEW YORK — For Brooklyn trio My Other Friend, CMJ is the perfect launching pad to build buzz for their forthcoming debut album, “Burning Bright Tonight.” The band has perfected an emotional blend of orchestral indie and garage rock.
Singer/guitarist Andy Simmons recently shed some light on the group’s influences.
BLAST: Describe your sound in 10 words or less.
Listen to the song “Beast (Separated from You at Birth)”
ANDY SIMMONS: If ELO wrote the soundtrack to “Blade Runner.” That’s us.
BLAST: Which three artists are your biggest influences?
AS: Carey Mercer from Frog Eyes, Roy Orbison and Bruce Springsteen.
BLAST: What’s your favorite album of 2010 so far?
AS: It’s a tie between (Beach House’s) “Teen Dream” and (Arcade Fire’s) “The Suburbs.”
BLAST: If you were going to spend the rest of your life on a desert island, which three albums would you bring with you?
AS: Yikes, tough question. I’m going to go with (Bruce Springsteen’s) “Born to Run,” (Radiohead’s) “OK Computer” and (Stevie Wonder’s) “Songs in the Key of Life.”
BLAST: Name a song you wish you’d written.
AS: “Common People” by Pulp. I effing love that song.
BLAST: Name something non-musical that has inspired your songwriting.
AS: The Tennessee Williams play “Orpheus Descending.” It’s beautiful.
BLAST: What was your first concert?
AS: Billy Joel and Elton John. I must have been 8 or 9. My dad took me.
BLAST: What’s the number one thing you can’t live without on the road?
AS: The ultimate road soda: the juice of one lime, two cans of Tecate, four dashes of Tabasco. Serve in a Big Gulp cup over ice, and enjoy!
BLAST: If you could ban one artist from ever making music again (or ever having made music), who would it be?
AS: Easy! The Eagles
BLAST: Which other acts are you hoping to see during CMJ Week?
AS: Bear Hands, Frankie Rose, The Yes Way
My Other Friend plays Wednesday at 1 a.m. (technically Thursday) at Webster Hall, and Thursday at 8:15 p.m. at Spike Hill.