Del Cielo is a band very much worth checking out, as they are truly incredible. Andrea Lisi has one of the most amazing voice that I have ever heard, and they all seem like really great people that give back to their community (both music and otherwise). This interview was with drummer Katy Otto, who had some great answers that are worth your time to read.

PL: Introduce yourself.

KO: Hi. My name is Katy Otto, and I play drums in Del Cielo.

PL: What made you decide to start playing drums?

KO: When I was 17 I saw Hole at Loolapolooza, as cheesy as that sounds. I came home and decided after watching Patty Schemel that I wanted to play drums.

PL: Do you ever regreat that decision or wish you played another instrument?

KO: Well, it is also kind of nice for me because I'm left handed. My attempts at guitar and bass have been a bit tricky because of that. I also think drums are such an incredible and physical instrument, I can't imagine loving any other instrument as much.

PL: Sounds good. I just get bummed out because I can't really write anything music wise.

KO: Yeah, and for me it can be kind of boring after a while to just play drums by myself in the basement - it is a strange instrument in terms of writing your own material.

PL: Why does it seem like drummers are a forgotten member of the band?

KO: Haha - well people talk to all three of us a lot. I wonder if people talk to us more because we are women and are perceived as more approachable? Im not sure! We are also pretty friendly and approachable.

PL: What advice would you give to people wanting to start playing drums?

KO: Well, I really enjoyed taking lessons for three years with a wonderful teacher. I learned how to sight-read music for percussion, and I think it really helped my confidence on the instrument. Also playing music with supportive friends does that! I think listening to drum beats in all different kinds of music is pretty critical as well.

PL: Do you want to talk about the record label you have at all?

KO: Sure! It is called Exotic Fever and this summer it will be five years old. I run it with my friend Sara. Some of the bands we put out are Pash, Gina Young, Kathy Cashel, 1905, Light the Fuse and Run, and more... I really love doing a label because I am an avid music lover and I think all of the people we work with and release are out of this world incredible.

PL: Is the label a full time job?

KO: Oooh dear god no. I wish one day it could be. It is a full time job's worth of work, but I have a day job. The label is quite expensive for me to do, but it gets easier the more we put out and the more active the bands are. It is a labor of love! I would love to one day do it full time though, just because it is my passion.

KO: Im currently changing day jobs though - so I am not sure what I am doing next. For the past six and a half years I have worked for a gender violence prevention program The Empower Program.

PL: You seem very active in the community and gender equality. Do you think that work like that is harder than a normal 9-5 job? On the flipside, is it more rewarding?

KO: Well, I have done work that I feel incredibly emotionally invested in. That is good because at the end of the day I feel as if I am working towards a world I want to live in. However a lot of the issues I have dealt with and heard about young people experiencing are difficult to process and can be stressful. It helps that in DC though there is a strong community of people active in this kind of work who are able to support one another and go to one another with problems or concerns, or just to feel supported.

PL: Do you think its hard for a lot of people to handle working for a job that makes a difference and requires a lot of thought and emotion?

KO: Im not sure. I get depressed when I'm not moving and doing things though, and to me, engaging in work like that gives me hope and fuel, even if it is exhausting. It is worth it.

PL: Do you think being in a band and having a sort of public forum helps in getting people interested in making the world a better place?

KO: It can, but it also can become a place where people just go for entertainment. I dont think every band has to be talking about politics from a stage to be enacting political change though. I think that the processes of independent music themselves are beautiful and subversive. In DC, we have a rich history of Positive Force DC and bands like Fugazi doing benefit shows that raise money and awareness for social justice groups. I think you can also get things done at a bar - once for example we played a nightclub venue that was a benefit for a reproductive health group, and the organization did a safer sex demonstration from the stage. It was amazing and I think in that social environment people were more open to talking about sex. I thought it was neat, and I hope to always try to think outside of the box of how to create positive changes. Music is a fuel for me, so I try to point my involvement with it in the direction of social justice.

PL: When did Us vs. Them come out?

KO: March 8 - International Women's Day!!! 2005

PL: Was the release date intentional?

KO: Nope!!! But it is also the day several friends' bands put out records, and they have amazing ladies too - des_ark, Bellafea and the Evens.

PL: Do bands get any say as to when their album is released?

KO: Well, we didn't, but we knew it in advance so that we could plan a tour.

PL: Do you tend to sell more albums on the road as opposed to record stores?

KO: I think so, but I am not positive. We play a lot of shows so that is probably where more are sold, but Lovitt has done a lot to get our CD everywhere.

PL: Are you happy with anything the Bush administration has done this term? (is there any good you can find in it?)

KO: Hmm. No. My friend Tom has a band This Ship Will Sink, or had one, and they had a song called "George Bush Could Fuck Up a Peanut Butter and Jelly Sandwich." I thought it was amazing.

PL: I didn't think so, but I'm starting to get scared over this whole black and white/right and wrong divide that has been going on in this country. I'm just hoping to find something positive somewhere.

KO: Well, I think there is a lot going on that is positive, to me it is just IN SPITE of that man. But I dont think it is helpful to demonize right wing people - I think it is imperative to try to be convincing about the things you believe in, and know how to champion them even to those you are supposed to be diamterically opposed to.

PL: Do you find it odd that there doesn't seem to be any middle ground anymore?

KO: Well - not really because I think you have to resist the kinds of oppression that are being normalized now. For example, sex education that was accurate and condom distribution COULD be a middle ground to work towards on the abortion debate, but instead right wing folks will push against that initiative too, under the umbrella of religion. Bush is particularly dangerous to me because of his connection to conversative Christianity as a guidepost for policy making. Kids receiving abstinence only education are going to have their lives put at risk by not receiving proper information, and in my opinion that is unacceptable. There are many young people who are having sex, and if they aren't, learning about it wont make them start.

PL: Do you think the new Pope will have any impact on this country?

KO: I am not sure, but it is scary the confluence of such conservative political leaders and also world leaders.

PL: Whats one thing besides music that you do to keep you sane?

KO: Cooking and eating! Yummy vegan food!

PL: Name one album, besides your own, that you think all kids should have in their collection.

KO: Recently I have been REALLLY into Interpol's Turn Off the Bright Lights!!! "Obstacle #1" is one of the most genius, beautiful songs I have ever heard.

PL: Do you have any final comments?

KO: People should really check out des_ark's new full length, Loose Lips Sink Ships. It is one of the most amazing records ever. Thanks for doing this!!!! Our website is also www.delcielorock.com.

Written by: RF

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