Girl in a Coma

Girl in a Coma are a San Antonia trio who have been signed to Joan Jett’s own Blackhearts label and have just released an album of their own unique take on tracks by Bowie, Joy Division, Velvet Underground and many more called Adventures in Coverland.

Additionally, the band were recently hand-picked to supprt their idol Morrissey. We find out more about them.

- How did you go about selecting the songs on Adventures in Coverland and what do they mean to you? 

The girls and I each made a list of the songs we loved growing up… and then picked the songs we thought we could do justice too. We listened to everything, which is why you go from Selena to Bowie. Every song was an inspiration to us in some shape or form.

- How important was music growing up to you and how have you found its effect on you has changed since you began writing it yourself?

Music was everywhere for us growing up, especially as Mexican Americans. Music when someone died, music to clean the house, music for everything. Now that we write music for a living… it’s different to put yourself in the role of writing a soundtrack for someone else’s lives. It’s even more important to us now.

- What did it mean for the band to be hand picked to support Morrissey and was he what you expected him to be? 

It was amazing! How many bands actually go on tour with the person that inspired them, ya know? He was everything we expected. He was kind and we had such an amazing experience. We learned a lot on that tour.

- What was it like to meet someone you had idolized and been such a fan of? 

You get your fan moments, but on the tour with Morrissey we also remembered we were there for our music and we had to work. Every night was a challenge of at least gaining some of his fans.

- What was it like recording with Boz Boorer and what did you learn from working with him? 

Boz was super sweet. It was our first time working with a producer and he showed us pretty much the ropes of working in a real studio.

- How did you come to the attention of Joan Jett and what did it mean to you to be selected to be on her label and what is it like working for her? 

We were being filmed for a television show on upcoming bands and their struggles. At the end of the show, Joan was to surprise us and give us advice. She ended up really liking our practice and showed up to our show later that evening… and to everyone’s surprise offered us a deal with Blackheart on the spot. We were so excited and it completely changed our lives. She is a very smart and strong women. To be able to be working on such a great label is an honor for us.

- What generally inspires your songs and how challenging have you found it writing songs in another language? 

Every song is either inspired by what we have gone through personally, what others have gone through… and some are even made up stories. Really just observations. As for writing in Spanish, it has definitely been a challenge. The more we do it, the easier it has become. It is our culture so inevitably it was going to be done.

- Do you think the recent attention is due rewards for all the hard work and touring you had put in and where do you hope you can take the band and your music in the future? 

Any attention we get is through non stop working as a band. You have to tour, especially now that we live in a digital age. We hope to do this as long as we can and as long as people listen.

YourGigs digs questions:

- Do you remember your first time on stage? 

It was March 3^rd, either 01 or 02, ill go with 02. We still have a flyer for that show. It was at a San Antonio club called Sin13

- Best gig you’ve ever played? 

There are many… but perhaps playing in front of 500,000 people in Poland might be the best yet!

- Worst on stage moment? 

The Lounge in San Antoino TX. It was maybe two years after being together. We were fighting on stage, Jenn throwing her bass in the air… and a quick breakup backstage.

- If you could have been at any gig in history what would it be?

Phanie- Seeing the Smiths in their hometown

Jenn- any Elvis gig

Nina- any Jeff Buckley gig