We've been diggin' Girl In A Coma for a while now here at BFD. We were lucky enough to get to do an interview with head Girl Nina Diaz. I'm quickly gaining a crush on her, I'm not sure if it's the tattoos, her voice or the fact that she's hot punk grrrl. But, the fact still remains she and her band are flat out fantastic.
Nina Diaz: A Ren And Stimpy tape it had "Happy Happy Joy Joy" on it.
BFD: What was the first song you really, really loved growing up?
ND: "It’s My Party" by Leslie Gore
BFD: How long have you been playing guitar? Do you have a particular guitar player you look up to?
ND: Nine years. Johnny Marr, Jeff Buckley, Jack White to name a few.
BFD: When you're playing shows how are you treated by the guys in the crowd before and after shows?
ND: Before they stare and are silent after they stare and giggle like a school girl. Are they respectful? They are usually gentlemen.
BFD: Do you and your sister get along when you're on the road?
ND: We have our moments. But we are sisters so there's this cheesy respectful love hanging around.
BFD: How was it touring with Morrissey? I've read some horror stories by other bands where they said they weren't allowed to even look at him. Did anything crazy like that happen?
ND: Morrissey is a great person to learn from. He's charming, respectful, and very smart. One can understand why he has to be so private after touring with him – but there were no crazy stories or rules. We did interact with him and each time left a smile on our faces.
BFD: Is there anyone you would like to tour with?
ND: Sonic Youth, Ours, Smashing Pumpkins, Radiohead, Superdrag, there's a lot.
BFD: Was there a band that you really looked up to and wanted to emulate when the band got together?
ND: Of course, The Smiths and Morrissey. But I really wanted to write songs that had a taste of all I was influenced by (The White Stripes. Bjork, Jeff Buckley, Sonic Youth, Radiohead, The Beatles) and by doing so hopefully create my own sound.
BFD: With the LOGO network being a big supporter of the band, do you worry about being pigeon holed as a "gay band" or do you think it opens up a larger audience to you?
ND: Labels are something people do when they are lazy. If you really look at a person you can see that there's more to them then just persona and appearance. Whoever’s ears we happen to reach, we’d love to be welcomed by them and in return welcome them.
BFD: Did you approach Trio B.C. differently than you Both Before I'm Gone as far as songwriting?
ND: Trio B.C. is a collection of songs written either in our van or at my place of residence. Two of them, Empty Promise and Trail, were oldies but goodies. On tour, we’d load gear into the clubs and then I’d write in the van and on our breaks. It was a much faster process than Both Before I’m Gone which had songs that were written over many years. I am totally happy with the outcome.
BFD: How has the crowd been reacting to the new material?
ND: I’m happy to say there are people singing along to songs that haven't been released yet. The adventure of introducing is ahead.
