LA.CityZine brings you, The Fling, as part of our Know Your LA Bands series. With a psychedelic groove to their tunes, The Fling brings you mind tripping harmonies spread upon raw folk rock jams. Brothers, Graham and Dustin Loveli, and their band members Justin Ivey and Scotty Cantino hand us a different vibe to cheers our beers to. Think Elliot Smith, The Beatles and the Beach Boys going into the rainforest on acid and returning as one collective group - The Fling. These boys from Long Beach produce a sound that contains a mist of nonchalance yet presents serious musicianship.

Convinced that these guys are the next big thing, I recommend their EP, Ghost Dance. Although a very epic tease, the 5 tracks are a journey in themselves and well worth any pleasure rather than none at all. (It is really fitting that they are called The Fling.) The best part is that it’s only $4.95 on iTunes right now! Support the boys by purchasing the EP or catch them at their June 24th show here in Hollywood. Presented by Spin Magazine’s Ruby Tuesday nights, the show is slated to begin at 8:00pm at the Key Club this coming Thursday. LA.CityZine was lucky enough to have a fun chat with the Lovelis brothers, Graham (Bass/vox) and Dustin (guitarist/vox). Check out the interview below to discover their thoughts on the current music industry, Arrested Development characters, and their relationship with R. Kelly as well.

Could you give a brief description of your music?

Dustin : We try to pull from all different styles of music. We all share a common love for psychedelic pop, rock and folk, so I suppose that is the basis for our songwriting on the EP. Our individual writing is getting more progressive every time someone brings a new idea, so I think our sound will continue to change.  

How many fans do you have on MySpace? How many of them do you actually know?

Graham: I’m not sure. We really want to start broadcasting our live shows via the information super web so our virtual friends never have to leave the house. Our actual fans will just come to shows. 

If you were really friend with Tobias Funke, what would your first question be for him?

Dustin: What is it like being a never nude?  

Do you prefer gearing up for a tour or coming home for a tour?

Graham: Leaving is more exciting. We are headed to Las Vegas next week for a show with some friends and we are very excited. 

Dustin: I always want to be on tour.

If you could play a different instrument in your band, what would it be?

Dustin: Graham would play the juice harp, Justin would take up the lambshank, Scotty would most likely go for the meat whistle, and I would opt for the wiffle ball.  

How long have you been playing music? How many instruments?

Dustin: Graham and I have been playing music since we were really young. We can both get by on most string instruments, and Graham originally a drummer. Justin has been pounding the pigs for roughly 16 years. Scotty has played a variety of instruments from a young age as well.  

Where do you see your music in 10 years?

Graham: Hopefully, we sound like a better version of ourselves.  

What would be the best compliment someone could give you about your music and why?

Dustin: The same people coming to see us in different cities that are genuinely excited about the music is always flattering. 

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

Graham: Do what you love. There really just isn’t enough time to waste on things that don’t make you happy. 

Dustin: My dad always told Graham and I that we should write and play music together, but we were always too stubborn to actually do it - Turns out he was right.

What would be the best piece of advice you could give someone trying to break into the music business?

Graham: Um… We still haven’t figured that one out.  

Dustin: I’d say do as much as you on your own. The music business has always been so fickle, now more than ever.

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

Graham: That’s a tough one… maybe The Osmonds… All five of them playing solo, each with their own version of Crazy Horses.  

What’s your favorite song to play live and why?

Graham: I think we all agree our favorite song to play live is “Outta My Head.” It’s not on the EP, but it will be on our full length. It just has a good groove.  

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

Both: All Jimmy Buffett.  

What do you hope your listeners get out of your songs? If anything.

Graham: Hopefully we just sound good. That is the reason we started playing together. To write good songs and play them well.

Who would you like to see open for one of your shows?

Graham: There is far too many. The late Shane Gooding would be one of them though. He was this guy from New Jersey who moved to Long Beach and played acoustic blues/folk. He passed away recently from tongue cancer. He put so much into it. I would have loved to play with him.  

Where is your favorite place to see a band play in LA?

Graham: Hmmm… Spaceland is always good. I saw Devendra Banhart at The Orpheum and it was amazing. The whole crowd got on stage and it nearly collapsed.  

Dustin: I saw Built to Spill at the Henry Fonda. It was pretty amazing.

What’s your favorite LA radio station and/or DJ? Why?

Graham: I think we would have to go with Indie 103.1. They have been really supportive of us and they get involved with up and coming bands which is hard to find LA. 

Do you support any local charities? If so, who? If not, would you like to?

Graham: A group of our friends here in Long Beach go on bike rides and give burritos to the homeless. We support that to the fullest.  

Dustin: I think we will always try to say involved with things like that. Most of our friends in Long Beach are social workers. I used to volunteer at a homeless shelter every once in a while. It just kind of sticks with you.

What’s your guilty pleasure?

Graham: “Trapped in the Closet: Chapters 1 - 12.” We were at a friend’s house and we woke up on the floor in the living room. Nobody else was up yet. I had never heard of it and I was going to put on a movie. So I just put it on without knowing what to expect. We were just freaking out thinking that there was no way it could be real. There is something very wrong with R. Kelly and I love it. 

What’s the best cure for a hangover?

Dustin: “Trapped in the Closet,” three corn dogs and a glass of milk.  

Graham: The Little Mermaid director’s cut and a bowl of Waffle Crisp.

What would be your perfect LA day?

Dustin: Graham and I went to Topanga Canyon a couple weeks ago. We ate at a local place, got coffee, and went on a long hike. It’s definitely a romantic expedition.  

Graham: A few months ago, I lounged around the house most of the day playing music while watching the Food Network. Then I went to Lala’s for dinner. Then I went to watch Ario Guthrie at UCLA. That was close to perfect.

What are the three things you could not live without?

Graham: Music, tortillas, and shampoo. 

If you could change one thing in the world, what would it be?

Graham: I wish it was easier to travel. It is so hard and expensive to get from point A to B.  

Dustin: Human nature.

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

Graham: One of us is actually a woman.  

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