Citay [rank: 587] based on users subscribed

"This is Citay, a project out of San Francisco. At first Citay was a studio project between me (Ezra Feinberg) and Tim Green from The Fucking Champs, with some help from others. Now there is a live band including members of Tussle, Crime In Choir, The Dry Spells, By Land And Sea, 3 Leafs, Galactic Bunz, Horn of Dagoth and Sweet Potatoes. Citay has toured and/or shared bills with Vetiver, Six Organs Of Admittance, Howlin' Rain, The Fucking Champs, Danava, Earthless, Black Fiction, Daevid Allen (from The Soft Machine and GONG), Papercuts, and many others."

[reproduced or excerpted from band website linked above]

Bandega Interview with Ezra Feinberg of Citay (June 2008)

Come get warm and fuzzy with Citay.

Q: How have your shows changed over the years? Has your perspective on performing live changed?
A: Well, other than various lineup changes, I'd like to think our performances have improved. Citay songs have very set parts, and it used to be that people would just play their parts, but the more we play together the looser it becomes, in a good way. I think we're a lot more comfortable now than we were 2 or 3 years ago.

Q: Describe the most memorable live show you've played.
A: I think I'll always remember our most recent show in Chicago. It was at this cool place called The Hideout. I had no idea what the turnout would be, but we sold out the place and played two encores. People were goin' nuts, but also they were really nice. I know bands always say everyone in such-and-such a city is nice if they had a good turnout and all that, but really, people in Chicago are nice. It was freezing cold outside, but the vibes at The Hideout were all warm and fuzzy.

Q: What venue do you consider to be your "home", where you feel most comfortable, with the crowd and the place itself?
A: I'd have to say Cafe Du Nord in SF is our home. We've played there so many times, and with the comfy couches and the dinner they give you it feels like some of the best parts of actually going home, like to my parent's house. The crowd varies with every show, but it's always a good crowd at Cafe Du Nord, and the sound guy there is unusually awesome.

Q: Describe the most enjoyable show you've ever experienced as a fan.
A: That's a tough one...Seeing Heart here in San Francisco was pretty amazing. I think I'd have to go with that show. It was after the Grand National Rodeo at this small arena called the Cow Palace where they have dog shows. Anyway we had to sit through a bit of the Rodeo which was pretty disturbing, but then the lights went down and everyone was let out onto the dirt floor of the Cow Palace. Heart came on and just killed - they played everything you'd want them to, with so much energy, plus some well chosen deep cuts for the serious fans (such as myself). I was grinning for days after that show.

Q: Bands are often identified publicly with a city. How influential is location (San Francisco) to Citay? If you had never left Brooklyn, how would Citay's music be different?
A: California plays a role in Citay for sure. SF is a quieter and slower-paced city than NYC, and there is more space to let the eyes and ears wander. Mostly, though, it's a personal thing - I left a lot of friends when I left Brooklyn in 2004, and when I moved to SF I knew almost no one. Being in a new city and knowing no one is not easy. Working on the first Citay record was something I had to hold on to as I transitioned to SF and got to know the city. The second Citay record, "Little Kingdom" was written after the band was established and I knew a lot more people, but the process was the same - working out songs and recordings in your own time, with people around to support the writing process. Northern California lends itself to the time and space needed for creation.

Show Reviews for Citay

Date & Venue	Reviewed by
Nov 18, 2006 - Hemlock Tavern	bortsminorts

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