Babes play the Troubadour in Hollywood Oct. 15
“We’re horny and we’re sad.” That is the main mantra claimed by Babes. Quite the combo, right? See them at Troubadour in West Hollywood on Oct. 15 with Latin Indie rockers Russian Red.
Babes is a group that embodies “hormonally charged music” intertwined with the past 50 years of pop music; from grimy LA punk basement bands to Brill Building. Babes is composed of singer and keyboardist Sarah Rayne along with her real brothers Zach Rayne and Aaron Rayne, and her fictive others Jeffrey Baird and Bryan Harris.
They are LA gypsies who have moved dozens of times around LA, from Hollywood to Venice to Echo Park. Each member claims to play a real life character in this surreal story of his or her band and music.
The OC Concert Guide had the opportunity to chat with Babes about their name, music and upcoming shows.
OCCG: Why did you guys decide to call yourselves Babes?
Babes: Last year we went on a spiritual journey, we’re not at liberty to talk about the details, but after 3 weeks of this experience as a quintet, the name was given to us by our shaman/visions. We didn’t choose it. It chose us.
OCCG: Why did you guys want to have your own hotline? What’s the weirdest encounter you’ve had on there?
Babes: We are out on the road playing music and we crave human interaction. We have a few stalkers who send naked photos and call all the time. Hoping to have more soon. We always pick up the phone or respond.
OCCG: What do you want your listeners to gain out of your video for “ATMO” now on Stereogum?
Babes: We want them to cry like their dog just died, we want them to laugh like they’re on nitrous oxide and we want them to see the world like they’re a newborn baby.
OCCG: How does your self-titled EP on Harvest Records reflect your days of moving in high school from Hollywood to Venice to Echo Park?
Babes: It doesn’t. These songs would have been made if we were born in Beijing or Brooklyn. They’re love songs and the only correlation they have to Los Angeles is that my brothers and I were born here. More importantly, none of us attended High School.
OCCG: What is your ultimate goal with wanting everyone to cry with your music? What does crying signify to you?
Babes: You tell us. Listen to our songs and cry. Call us and tell us how it went for you, in detail and what you’re wearing.
OCCG: How do horniness and sadness go hand-in-hand to you guys?
Babes: Being horny powers us but is also the feeling of not being able to achieve something that the entire universe is compelling you to do. Have you heard anything as sad as that?
OCCG: If you could tour anywhere in the entire world with anyone you wanted, where and who would it be and why?
Babes: Our dream would be if the cast of Seinfeld formed a band and we performed at Monks Cafe for three magical nights. George (Costanza) on bass.
OCCG: What are you most looking forward to your show at Troubadour with Russian Red?
Babes: We’re looking forward to playing like it’s our last night on earth, singing like our lives depend on it, beating our instruments like they owe us money, dripping sweat down our bodies and onto our fans, touching every person in the audience, shredding leads all over peoples faces, mixing their tears with our tears and licking it up. You should come.
OCCG: What’s next for you guys?
Babes: Music and music forever till we die.