Pennsylvania wayfarers the Click Clack Boom now call New York their home, but their affable rock maintains plenty of rural charm.
The band’s debut album, Howling, pulses with straight Ludlow Street pop backbeat and lead singer/guitarist Nathaniel Hoho’s Americana-tinged drawl, the product of five years spent pounding East Village pavement together (start with “Ghost” or “Open Hands” for a gritty 101).
The folksy flair has earned them a ravenous fan in celebrity chef Rachael Ray, who booked them for her Feedback festival last summer (and presumably gave them cupcakes afterward).
We sent our Band of the Week questionnaire to Hoho, who was only too happy to wax rhapsodic on his town:
What song says New York to you?
Frank Sinatra's “New York, New York.” "These vagabond shoes/ they’re longing to stray/ right through the very heart of it/ New York, New York"
What artist or band?
Most definitely the Ramones!
What is your greatest memory of experiencing music in NY?
Whoa OK -- the GREATEST memory; pressure’s on! One remarkable experience that comes to mind is when we were hanging backstage at T5 after last year’s Black Keys show. Nick Zinner from the Yeah Yeah Yeahs was there, and we ended up going to the after party.
When we arrived, the place was really packed and loud to say the least. This was the first time I had met Nick but we ended up spending most of the evening sitting in the corner talking about effects pedals, the balance of theory and creativity, and photography. Not only was I a huge fan of Nick's playing, but I could see his genuine interest and passion for what he's doing.
To me this was a sort of validation that if you are fortunate enough to have a real passion for something in life, follow it and you'll be alright.
If you could give one album to everyone in this city, what would it be?
The Click Clack Boom's Howling
What is your favorite venue to play in the city?
We've played so many clubs in the city, it's hard to say. We have had great sound at so many places too! Mercury Lounge, Bowery Ballroom, Gramercy Theatre. Terminal 5 was one of our most exciting shows by far.
What, or whom, do you find exciting in the current New York music scene?
It’s so eclectic it's disgusting, but I'm currently engulfed in what's happening in Brooklyn and the LES. I've been a fan of bands like the Yeah Yeah Yeahs, the Strokes, and Grizzly Bear for quite some time.
There's some great new music rising too! Delicate Steve and El Quincho immediately come to mind. Neither of these guys are from New York, but come through and crush it. I saw them both last year at Cameo and Union Pool.
I recommend hitting some of the above mentioned venues, music blogs, or Bowerypresents.com and check out what's coming through. Go see someone you've never heard before; there's a lot of great music out there.
