CityZine brings you LA band, You Me and Iowa, as a part of our “Get to know your LA Bands” series where we introduce you to a variety of bands and you tell us what you think. You Me and Iowa has a great sound made up by Andrew Carroll on vocals and guitar, Tony Benedetti on drums, Tizoc Estrada on guitar and glockenspiel (you don’t hear that one everyday), Ryan Julio on bass, vocals, and percussions, and Ryan Ross on keyboards and trumpet.

They will be releasing their new CD on May 6th (which you can pre-order for $10 here) and throwing a big CD release party at Spaceland on Saturday, May 24th. CityZine was lucky enough to sit down with humorous and entertaining Andrew Carroll and ask him about his band, his favorite venues, and his guilty pleasures.

Keep reading to view the interview and their music video!

Could you give a brief description of your band?

Five musicians who try not to take themselves too seriously. We make pop-rock music. This doesn’t mean that we, by any means, confine ourselves to a genre, but most of the stuff we’ve come up with to date fits within that vast pool. We are very democratic in our songwriting approach, which I think, gives the songs a broad range of strengths. While some members are more focused on melody and harmony, others are focus on rhythmic intricacies, and others on the sounds of the instruments themselves and the production value of the whole. Ultimately, it results in a collection of densely orchestrated pop songs, that are immediately approachable, but also yield more rewards upon several listens.

What was the first record/cd/tape you ever bought? And where did you buy it?

The first record I owned was Michael Jackson, Thriller. But I was about 5 or 6 so my parents bought it for me. I can’t remember the first tape I actually bought. It was probably Kriss Kross, Totally Krossed Out, or something equally lame.

What’s the seventh artist on your iPod? Don’t lie!

My ipod crapped out a couple of years ago and I never replaced it. And to make matters worse, my computer recently crapped out as well, so I can’t even tell you the seventh artist in my iTunes library.

What’s the best cure for a hangover?

Fernet-Branca, weed, greasy food and a sofa.

How do you get ready for a live show?

We blast that song “You’re the Best Around” from Karate Kid, while doing jumping jacks topless in front of a mirror.

What’s your favorite song to play live?

It changes from night to night. It depends on how the audience is responding to the music. Whatever song gets the crowd most riled-up and excited is usually the most fun to play, because you feed off of that energy when you perform.

What’s your guilty pleasure?

Carrying on conversations with friends completely comprised of movie quotations.

Who would win in a fight, a Ninja or a Pirate and why?

A ninja, OBVIOUSLY! There is no way a drunken, malnourished scoundrel has a chance against a stealth assassin.

How did you come up with the name for your band? How many names did you have to go through before deciding on this one? What were come of the other contenders?

Our freshman year in college there was talk of starting a band. A friend named Scott, Brian (the first YM&I keyboard player, who was from Iowa and cleverly nicknamed Iowa), and I were driving near LMU campus. Scott turned to me and said, “[The band] is gonna be sweet! It’s gonna be you, me and Iowa!” The band was actually formed a year later, and Scott was never involved as a musician but has done sound work for all of the YM&I music videos. Brian left the band and moved back to Iowa in 2006, but the name stayed. Other name contenders were The Good Time Company, (a name derived from a dorky high school singing and dancing ensemble that Brian belonged to), and Go Mordecai! (we were obsessed with The Royal Tenenbaums at the time).

If you could rid the world of one song, what would it be?

Off the top of my head I’d say that Fergie song about her hump, her hump, her hump, her hump.

Who would play you in a film based upon your life?

Tracy Morgan.

Dead or alive. What 5 acts would you have play with you at a festival?

The Talking Heads
Neutral Milk Hotel
Steve Reich Ensemble
Tortoise
Michael Jackson (Thriller / Bad era)

What was your favorite venue for a show ever?

The Walt Disney Concert Hall - the acoustics are PERFECT and there isn’t a bad seat in the house.

For a show that we’ve played, I’d say The Troubadour is my favorite. It’s got a awesome sound system, a nice roomy stage, and a great history to it.

What’s your most memorable experience on the road story?

After sound checking at a gig in Flagstaff, AZ, a semi-crazy-eyed, bearded fellow slouched in the corner near the entrance of the venue started calling my name. I took a double or triple take, before realizing the security guy hollering at me was an old high school friend. Needless to say, it was a fortuitous coincidence running into an old friend in an unknown town. He introduced us to all the bartenders in the place, who took care of us for the rest of the night, and let us crash at his house.

Favorite place in LA?

Right now, I’d have to say the Griffith Park Observatory. It’s got such a beautiful view of Los Angeles. On a clear day you can see the mountains, the ocean and everything in between.

What’s the best piece of advice someone has ever given you and did you take notice?

My dad told me, “don’t be a cad,” when I was a teenager. After finding out what the word meant I definitely took notice and have since mended my ways.

What would be your perfect LA day?

Get up early, pack a lunch, ride bikes with my lady to Silver Lake Wine, get a nice bottle. Ride to Griffith Park. Hike up to the observatory to eat and drink with one of the best views of the city. Hike back down. Ride home. Time (and traffic) permitting, drive to the beach before sunset, catch some rays, eat dinner and see the sunset on the coast.

If you given 100 million dollars what would you do?

Keep it.

What three things could you not live without?

Air, food and water.

Tell us a fact about yourself we probably don’t already know.

Both Tony, (the drummer) and myself are left handed, but play our instruments right handed.

Which YouTube Video do you prefer, “I’m f-ing Matt Damon” by Sarah Silverman or “I’m f-ing Ben Affleck” by Jimmy Kimmel?

I’d have to say fucking Ben Affleck if only for Harrison Ford’s ambiguously gay convertible cameo.

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