It’s been a while since we’ve heard from local indie rockers Rival Alaska. Formerly known as the Brosquitos and Sleeping Habits, the band features ample musical talent and determination. John Clark recently rejoined the group, and the band just released “Car Ride (Daydream),” a dance-y electronic jam perfect for a quarantine dance party. Learn more at www.facebook.com/therivalalaska. Clark is the latest to take The Lucky 13; here are his answers.
What was the first concert you attended?
Surprisingly, a mosh show called Mosh for Food. If you brought some cans of food, you got in, and I was a broke 15-year-old, so there I was. That’s also where I got my first scissor kick to the head by a performing lead singer. It was still a good show.
What was the first album you owned?
I’m pretty sure it was the self-titled Third Eye Blind CD when I was, like, 8, but I was always burning crap from LimeWire onto blank CDs and blasting them on those huge portable CD players in my back pocket.
What bands are you listening to right now?
That new Tame Impala album slaps. Other than that, I’ve been jamming to some King Gizzard and the Lizard Wizard, Foxygen, and Savanna; I always sprinkle a little Roosevelt in there somewhere. I’m usually all over the place with my music, though. I just hit shuffle.
What artist, genre or musical trend does everyone love, but you don’t get?
That’s hard to say. I try to understand it all or at least give it a chance to win me over, whatever it is. I definitely have a list of artists I don’t like, but genres and trends are too broad for me to say I don’t get them completely.
What musical act, current or defunct, would you most like to see perform live?
Man, I’d love to see a Daft Punk show. I’m all about lasers, lights and trippy visuals.
What’s your favorite musical guilty pleasure?
Sometimes I’ll put on Danny Elfman or The Phantom of the Opera soundtrack. I love orchestras and over-the-top, bellowing vocals.
What’s your favorite music venue?
Playing Tachevah at The Date Shed must’ve been my favorite. It might just be because the energy was so high that night of the competition though; who knows?
What’s the one song lyric you can’t get out of your head?
It’s usually the song I’m working on at the time. It’ll stick in my head for weeks while I’m writing.
What band or artist changed your life? How?
The most significant artist has to be Kevin Parker. He became somewhat of an idol to me over the last few years with his production perfectionism and instrumental diversity. Now that’s what I strive for in my music. He taught me that being true to yourself in all aspects of your life is way more rewarding than following any trend or fitting into any culture.
You have one question to ask one musician. What’s the question, and who are you asking?
This goes back to Kevin. He’s just a huge influence for me, and I’d honestly either get stuck babbling on with all kinds of questions about his writing and composition—or freeze up. Actually, now that I think of it, probably both.
What song would you like played at your funeral?
“Stayin’ Alive” by the Bee Gees. No, I’m kidding. I don’t know; that’s tough. I’d never really thought about it before. I guess I’d have to say “When You’re Smiling and Astride Me” by Father John Misty.
Figurative gun to your head, what is your favorite album of all time?
Currents by Tame Impala. Anyone who knows me knows.
What song should everyone listen to right now?
Rival Alaska and I just released a song, “Car Ride (Daydream).” It’s the opening track to some new stuff we’re working on together, and also the first track we’ve released as a group since the BrosQuitos days. We’re all working on music in different ways these days, but this is just the tip of the iceberg. I’ve got some goodies of my own in the works, too. (Scroll down to hear “Car Ride (Daydream)”!)
