The Daily Texan, Life & Arts: 09/28/09
Austin’s Brothers and Sisters have a knack for making songs that sound timeless. Their golden country rock has the same worn-in feeling as classic records by Neil Young or The Byrds, full of wailing steel guitar and the harmonies of real life brother and sister Will and Lily Courtney. The group, which at times can reach up to ten members, recently released a new album of sun-drenched folk rock ballads called Fortunately. This week on Music Monday, principle songwriter and frontman Will Courtney tells us a little about himself.
01) What album have you listened to the most in the last week?
The re-mastered mono version of The Beatles’ Rubber Soul.
02) If you could collaborate with any musician in the world, who would it be?
I’d like to produce Paul McCartney or Bob Dylan. Maybe you can have their managers give me a call – I have some ideas for their next record.
03) What was the best show you’ve ever played?
I really enjoyed playing at the Fillmore in San Francisco.
04) What was the worst show you’ve ever played?
Attendance wise, it was this show in Iowa last Fall. By the time we got onto the stage, there were two people in the whole club not including the bar tender, doorman or sound guy. The crazy thing is that the the two audience guys bought us all two rounds of whisky and bought one of everything we had for sale. Nice guys, dull town.
05) What is your favorite song to play live?
I like the song “Lonely Man”.
06) When you were forming the band were there any alternate band names you didn’t pick?
Not really. At first, [sister and bandmate] Lily and I thought about Brother and Sister, but we quickly had to pluralize it when we found the whole band.
07) Where is your favorite place to eat in Austin?
My girlfriend and I like sushi. I probably eat it twice a week. We like Maru and this place on I-35 called Japon.
08) Do you have a day job?
Making music and trying to run the family record label, The Calla Lily Company.
09) What is your favorite website?
10) What is a perfect day for you?
Waking up around 11am and drinking lots of coffee and then going into the recording studio and making a record until I fall asleep with my headphones on.
