Independent space disco duo The Weird Sisters are redefining dance and party music with their new full-length LP, “Who are The Weird Sisters?”. This release marks their second full-length album release and debuts The Weird Sisters’ new sound, shifting from a heavy psychedelic rock and funk outfit to a pair of “dance commanders,” electrifying the dance floor with a mixture of EDM, funk rock, and grunge punk, all with a psychedelic flare.
In this interview spotlight, I chat with The Weird Sisters about the latest project, AI in music, dream collabs, and more.
Full Q&A along with links and music below.
This AI thing is getting way out of control. I have students using ChatGPT to write death metal songs about country music…and country songs about being sad. You can feed some Ais a text prompt and create a Hollywood-quality short film. How do you feel about this new wave of technological innovation?
It’s lame. Even if you can’t tell the difference in the outcome it’s fundamentally bad for music and musicians. We’re going to start seeing people behind an editing desk use it to score commercials or films, trying to save money or time. These programs are basically recycling elements of pre-existing music to make something unoriginal and cheap.
It really creates a lot of blurred lines when it comes to copyright infringement. The result lacks the emotion and intent that music offers us. Musicians aren’t unionized or anything, so there needs to be more awareness or our sync licensing opportunities will dry up in favor of a cheaper option. Streaming services already don’t pay. If you use that stuff you’re lazy and don’t have integrity.
I know it’s hard…but what’s your favorite song and/or favorite artist of all time? If not favorite, in your top 3?
We’ll never be able to pick just one, we don’t always listen to the same stuff.
This week it’s “On a Clear Day You Can See Forever” by the Peddlers. It might be Bruce Haack next week, we’ll see.
Were you trying to accomplish anything specific or different with this project? What’s the back story?
We didn’t set out with the goal to make something different or specific, it just kinda happened organically. Izaac’s roots are funk/rock/blues and Gabrielle’s are classical piano/orchestral conducting/jazz, so what we make together is definitely a fusion of those worlds. The new album represents our diversity of sounds/genres and captures the energy of our live shows, which is super important to us.
What drives you to create? What keeps you going, especially on the bad days?
Creativity is a weird thing. It’s half metaphysical impulse and half problem solving. Sometimes we have wild impossible ideas, but we still talk them out and plan like we’re going to execute them. Wherever ideas come from, we find it’s best not to question why. We love referencing something drawn out or written in our notebooks and seeing the finished product right in real life. Over the last few years we’ve built so much custom gear, and worked with a ton of people to create specific tools, because what we require for specific projects doesn’t exist in real life yet. The keyboard stands are a great example, so is our newest album.
If you could collaborate with anyone – dead or alive, famous or unknown – who would it be and why?
It would be lovely to record an album with Herbie Hancock, Hendrix, and John Coltrane. They’re all such vivid musicians who know how to paint a picture with music. To keep it from being an acid jazz record we’d want Dr. Dre to produce it with Neal Pogue.
Where is the best place to stay connected with you?
The Weird Sisters Hotline 412-407-5136
I appreciate Your time. Want to say anything else before we sign off?
Give the new album some love & drop us a line, we’re always down to make new friends.
