Interview: Catching up with Brooklyn rockers Caretaker + stream “Swallow”

As life moves along, entities rise, fall, go on hiatus or chug along steadily. The members of Brooklyn-based rock group Caretaker know that all too well having joined forces out from the ashes or pauses of other bands.

Having cut their teeth a bit gigging out in the New York City scene, the quintet comprised of Erin Pellnat (lead vox), Eva Lawitts (bass), Alex Pulakos (guitar), Damian Sim (keyboard) and Chris Krasnow (drums) are now beginning to share some formal fruits of their creative chemistry dropping excellent debut single, “Swallow,” just the other day.

The track opens with a searing, whirring bit of instrumental interplay before crash landing and allowing Pellnat to step out fearlessly with her indomitable vocals. From there, Caretaker gathers strength from this formula and crafts a frenetically fun bit of art-punk.

To go along with a stream of “Swallow” we sent over some interview questions to Pellnat and Lawitts to help get to know them better. Check it all out below and be sure to follow Caretaker here for more. New Yorkers can catch Caretaker at Pine Box Rock Shop in Brooklyn, NY next Monday, June 19th.

Hi, Caretaker! Congrats on your new single. Can you tell us a little more on who you are and how you first started the project?

Erin: Hey thanks! Caretaker is largely about vulnerability and just saying what you mean. I often have a difficult time saying what I mean, but this serves as an outlet to help conquer the fear of said vulnerability. Empathy plays a major role as well, and anger. Controlled anger is also very present in our music, as one can see from our live performances.

Eva: As far as how we formed, Erin and I were roommates for two years, and so we were well acquainted with each other’s musical goings on. When she decided to disband her former project, she asked me to play bass in something new, and I asked Chris to play drums (we had been in another band together for about ten years) and Alex to play guitar. Damian was the clear frontrunner for both of us as keyboard player, so he wormed his way in too.

Damian: I wanted to be the drummer but they wouldn’t let me

What’s your songwriting process like? Who are some of your biggest influences?

Erin: I generally write the melody, lyrics, form, and chord progression with a sometimes vague, sometimes not so vague feel. The band is excellent at arranging, coming up with their own specific parts, and just general adjustments and tweaking where need be. It is a hugely collaborative experience. They essentially add the sauce that makes it sound like Caretaker and not like someone sitting alone in a room with a piano.

Eva: There’s a lot of quasi-arguing and murmuring during the songwriting sessions, and everyone gets their feelings hurt a little bit, but everyone also gets to say their piece ultimately we’re all better for each other’s criticisms.

What are some of the larger themes at play on the single? What sort of headspace where you in when writing it?

Erin: Unsurprisingly, I wrote Swallow while I was in an unhealthy relationship. It’s about being told that you’re “crazy” and actually believing it. Coming to terms with the fact that your feelings are not valid because you’re being told so, and wanting for anything to just end the constant tension in the room so things can be “normal.” There’s a release in the song though, with the repeat of the lyrics, “If you sever your ties, you will find that it’s alright. If you swallow your pride, you will find that it’s alright.” This is the answer, this can set you free, but it’s so hard to let go.

If money were no object, what would your dream live performance look like

Eva: Some kind of three dimensional sound bullshit, and a bunch of overwhelming visuals. Erin would have an absurd wardrobe, Damian would have a Toyota Camry.

Erin: Ooh! Honestly, I’d have wings the size of a car, to begin with. And maybe a headdress. Lots of different colors and lights to play with. And maybe some platforms to jump on. Oh, and for sure, amazing projections behind us. I don’t even know, I guess I haven’t thought about it much since money has been an enormous object from the get. Ha!

Damian: Erin would buy wings for all of us to wear. I would start dressing like the guys from Japan X. If I ended up playing 2nd guitar in the band, I would definitely have a Flying V. Alex should have one too. And Eva, the bass equivalent, maybe an Explorer. Chris would have two bass drums even though he only needs one. It would just be really huge and spacey. I would have a Toyota Camry and we’d all stay at Best Westerns.

Any new artists/venues/purveyors of the arts in your local scenes you could turn our readers onto?

Eva: Is this the time to plug our other bands? Chris is in two other bands: Citris and Amira B. My other bands are Fuck Squad and Three Body Problem and I also play with Oceanator, Oliver Ignatius and the Emergency Management Squad, Psychaudio, and a new, forthcoming solo project from Carlos Hernandez of Ava Luna, which I’m very excited about! You’ll probably like at least one of those things.

Where can we follow you and any shows coming up?

Erin: You can follow us primarily on our Instagram handle, @caretakermusic. We’re also on twitter, @caretakermusic_. And of course, Facebook as well. Our next show is June 19th at Pine Box Rock Shop. You can find ALL our upcoming shows on our website.

Any parting thoughts? Open platform!

Eva: Come out and see us live! And if you can’t come out and see us live, go out and see another band live! See lots of local bands live! We love you and we’ll see you soon.