Mild Universe is a SF-based indie dance collective fusing 90s house influence with disco, soul, and post-punk into an eclectic live performance that’s impossible to resist. Percussionist and songwriter Sam Jones crafts catchy songs with a dancefloor twist, complemented by seemingly effortless, soulful vocals.
Ahead of their set on Saturday, May 24th as part of the Total Accord concert series co-hosted by White Crate, we heard from Sam and the band’s saxophonist Karina Alterman about their early influences Charlie Parker and Nirvana, their thoughts on Bay Area music, and how impermanence permeates their work.
What’s your earliest memory of connecting with music?
Karina: At a very young age I was constantly surrounded by jazz music from my dad and grandpa. I remember at a really early age hearing Charlie Parker and thinking ” I want to do that!” Music has always surrounded me in every house I’ve lived in. Music is what makes the world go round and I feel so lucky to have been exposed to the importance of it at such an early age.
Sam: The first CD I ever bought from Amoeba was In Utero by Nirvana and that album just feels so raw and expressive. Very different from the music I make now, but the improvisational experimentation on that album I can still cite as an influence for sure.
Where did you grow up? If you moved here, when and why did you move to the Bay?
Karina: I grew up in the suburbs of LA and moved to San Francisco for college in 2013. The Bay immediately just felt like a safe place for me being such a weirdo in a suburb. Moving here helped spark the joy and trueness within myself. I finally found people and a place that helped me feel loved and seen.
Sam: I grew up in SF and living in the Bay Area has absolutely influenced the music I make. The landscape and climate is so inspiring and timeless and makes me feel connected with the other art and music movements that have happened in this region historically. Music coming out of the Bay these days feels very fresh and I like that people are driven from a sincere place of love for their craft.
I get the sense that your debut album Everything Must Change could have been inspired by Buddhism – or a profound mushroom journey. Is there a spiritual component to your life and/or music?
Sam: Everything Must Change feels like a sentiment to the impermanence of our reality. It feels like nothing will ever change, but zooming out it’s hard to think of a single thing that isn’t in a state of flux. I enjoy Buddhist thought and I would say I try to practice non attachment within this band. Whether it is our shifting lineup of musicians or the nature of the compositions themselves, a lot of the identity of the band isn’t static and that is intentional. When I’m writing songs I try not to be too attached to the way they are, whether it’s rhythm, structure, chords or melodies, they are all subject to change. Most songs we have already released are still changing in the way we perform them live.
What do you love about the Bay Area music community?
Karina: I love seeing the growth in the musicians surrounding us. The Bay has this sneaky way of helping musicians continually grow together. I feel like the last four years have been this beautiful image of all the musicians emerging from our cocoons and showing our true form. It feels like such an honor to be able to do that alongside so many talented people, and I constantly am feeling proud of all of my friends, what a lucky feeling! Everyone is so connected and collaborative and I love that there are always more people I don’t know, so the community feels like a never ending beautiful expansion.
Sam: The Bay Area music community is so uplifting and inspiring. Just knowing that some of my closest friends are also the musicians I look up to drives me to keep at it and try to make something my peers would enjoy and dance to.
Is there something missing or anything you’d like to see change?
Sam: In the scene sometimes each niche can be a bit homogeneous and I think it would benefit every scene to be open to more cross pollination. Whether it’s electronic music producers or DJs collaborating with jazz players or people just going to shows that are outside of their comfort zone, I think experiencing things that are unfamiliar is always a healthy practice in diversifying taste.
Do you have any new releases coming up?
Sam: I am hoping to put out some remixes of our last album at some point, but it is more in the theoretical phase at the moment. Working on writing new material now and hoping to record in the fall. Excited to put out new music maybe next year, feeling like people enjoyed the first record and I’ve heard positive feedback about that one.
Which artist/show are you most excited to see at Total Accord?
Sam: I am really curious to see System Exclusive, I was impressed with the videos I’ve seen of them. Also I’ll be going to the Breathing Room show on May 23rd at Kilowatt and the Peña show at Rickshaw on May 25th.
Do you have any hopes or predictions for the local music scene?
Sam: I think the Bay Area music scene will just keep blooming. With KEXP setting up a new location in the East Bay, and the way some artists have been getting recognition I think artists from the Bay Area are going to continue being major players in the global community. Historically music from the Bay has resonated with a wide range of people around the country and the world and I think that trend will continue.
Sat May 24 at Great American Music Hall (day show)
Mild Universe, Seablite, Hugo de la Lune, Grooblen, Luke Sweeney, Isabeau Waia’u Walker, System Exclusive, ronny ronny ronny (DJ)
