Pleased To meet Me: Alien Boys
Introduce yourself… (Where are you from, what band do you play in etc..)
S: Sarinn from Alien Boys here. Ukrainian blooded settler living on the stolen land of the Musqueam, Squamish, and Tsleil-Waututh Peoples in so-called Vancouver since 2011.
Why do you play music?
S: I play music to get out of my own skin. It’s an art that forces you to get out of your own way, to experience ego death, try new things, make lasting connections with others, and speak your truth.
What was a major influence on you as an Artist/Band?
S: Watching and being around so many great Canadian bands that do what they love and do it well. The kinds who just charge forward with pure inspiration, preferably politically charged, and fly in the face of expectation. Bands like Nomeansno, The Rebel Spell, Propagandhi, The Smalls, and Nü Sensae.
What’s a favourite book or film?
S: Movie: I Heart Huckabees
Book: Hunger by Knut Hamsun
Do you prefer the recording process or performing live?
S: Performing live. It is the greatest drug of them all.
What would be a dream collaboration?
S: A track with Alien Boys ft Jello Biafra. Or going on tour with L7!
Describe a favourite album.
S: I want a perfect record to be one of two things: a story telling journey (Tom Waits, Blue Valentine or Real Gone) or a crushing, ruthless, unending journey (Acid Bath, When the Kite String Pops).
What's your favourite local haunt?
S: The Princeton Pub.
What's your strangest experience while performing live?
S: Probably the time the Sons of Odin were threatening to show up to our show. This was a long time ago, probably 2017, and they never showed, but that was weird. We also played a laundromat in Columbus, Ohio in the afternoon which was strange but in a nicer way. Played some punk music to some people with their clothes in the dryer.
If I were pursuing anything other than music it would be…
S: Writing poetry. I used to do spoken word with Vancouver Poetry Slam at Cafe Deux Soleils when I first moved to the city under the moniker Sparrow. It had some great community vibes, and I learned a lot from the talented poets I got to share the stage with there. I think I have been working on a collection of short stories and 2 novels since I was 20. It’s my goal to have published at least one of them by the time I hit 40!
What are some of your favourite aspects of being a musician in Vancouver?
S: The sense of community here. Everyone is so quick to jump in and help out where they can. Whether it is supporting shows, putting up travelling musicians, organizing benefits, or supporting DIY spaces, this is the place for it.
If you weren’t playing music in Vancouver where would you be?
S: Off the grid. Growing garlic. Hanging out with goats.
Any sage advice for young musicians?
S: Don’t quit. Don’t let fear govern the way you approach music. Try everything. What works will work. What doesn’t will only help you learn.