If you pick apart DC electronic super-group, Nouveau Riche, you will find three professional solo musicians. The three members, Gavin Holland, Steve Starks, and Nacey, all make their rounds as successful touring DJ's and producers. However, it is their love for Washington DC that allows them to come together and put on shows under the name Nouveau Riche. I was able to chat with a third of the group, Gavin Holland, about a few things, including Richmond, the love they have for DC and future projects they have lined up. Now who is going to be the first to book these guys around here? I'm getting excited just thinking about it.
ALEX: Have you guys ever played Richmond before? Would you?
GAVIN: We haven't played Richmond yet but we'd definitely love to! The RVA scene seems nuts by all accounts. Oh, I did play the Nanci Raygun wayyyyyy back in my band days...
ALEX: What sets DC apart from other cities you guys play? You guys are repping DC HARD!
GAVIN: A lot of people think of DC as a drab political town, but the fact is that there's always been a strong underground music culture. The punk rock scene in the 80s and through the 90s, the rave scene in the 90s... Dischord Records' DIY approach has influenced the way we do things as well as a lot of other DJs in this city. DC is also small enough that creative people can easily find each other, but it also has a big international element that a lot of people don't expect. As far as playing in DC, the crowd is pretty musically sophisticated - you really have to stay on your toes making new music and keeping up with the latest tunes or they can tell!
ALEX: What is on the agenda (that you can talk about) for Nouveau Riche?
GAVIN: On the agenda - Produciton-wise, Nacey and I have remixes coming out soon on Top Billin, Steve is working on an EP. The big 5-year anniversary of Nouveau Riche is this March, so we're gonna do something amazing for that but can't say specifically what yet... and right after that we're all heading down for SXSW and WMC - so we're pretty psyched about that!
Check them out in DC February 12th at U Street Music Hall and listen to their Plant Music Podcast here.