New York’s explosive dance punk duo Matt & Kim are hitting the road on the national Groovin’ The Moo Festival circuit this April and May. On top the festival appearance they’ll be stopping off in Brisbane, Sydney and Melbourne at the beginning of May.
‘Lightning’ is the name of their new album which they recorded in their Grand Street apartment and it features ten killer tracks written in true Matt & Kim fashion. Drawing from their powerful live shows, while still adhering to their minimal two-person studio approach, Matt & Kim set out to create their most diverse and at times raw release to date with this record.
We caught up with Kim to find out what her favourite tour van munchies are, what music she listens to when she cooks and what her signature dish is.
What were your food influences when you were growing up and what kind of food did you eat at home or with your family?
Man I ate the most bland food when growing up. My moms idea of dinner was pasta with cold ragu on top. I don’t know if you guys have Ragu in australia but it is the cheapest pasta sauce you can get. I think this is why I can’t handle spicy food. I blame my mom!
What dish or cuisine do you most like to eat on tour and why?
On tour we eat a lot of sandwiches. We have sandwich meats and cheeses on our rider and it is the easiest thing to whip up. When we order food we usually order Thai. It is one of those meals that is similar no matter what part of the country you are in.
What is your ideal cooking playlist?
Matt usually likes to listen to old blues stuff like Mississippi John Hurt.
I like to either listen to older punk rock. Usually Screaching Weasel, Stiff Little Fingers or The Queers. Other times I like to listen to Harry Belafonte. Bet you didn’t see that one coming!
What type of food do you make sure to avoid before a gig or going on stage?
I love sushi but can’t eat it on show days! Runs through me to quick. Also Matt had all you can eat ethiopian once. I swear the bread was expanding in his stomach while on stage. I don’t think he’ll do that again. I think all you can eat anything is a bad idea on show days.
Imagine for a second you can request anything on your rider at Groovin’ The Moo Festival. What food do you put on it?
Double Stuffed Oreos and corn on the cob
What has been your biggest cooking disaster to date?
Oh man I don’t know if it is the biggest disaster but it made me sad. So we recently purchased a vitamix. I was really excited to start making soups. I really love soup in the winter time. We had just got home from tour so I thought I would make Matt some soup. I decided on trying one of the vitamix receipes. It just turned out awful. To this day I don’t know what I did wrong and I haven’t tried it again cause I am afraid I’m going to fuck it up. Matt was a sport and kept trying to eat it.
When you tour overseas, what food from home do you miss the most?
When we are overseas on tour we miss burritos the most! I will say we make a lot of burritos when we are home and we eat out at a lot of mexican restaurants. If you are ever in brooklyn you should check out Pancho Villa on Bedford ave in bed stuy Brooklyn. Thats our jam.
What are your and Matt’s favourite tour van munchies?
Almonds are my go to tour munchie. I got to keep this shit tight and can’t be getting that tour weight! HA! If it didn’t matter I would eat all of the double stuff oreos!
Who is the better cook, yourself or Matt?
I am the better cook… I think. I wonder if Matt would answer differently? I do most of the cooking… and cleaning. So I don’t think he would mess a good thing up by saying he was better.
What is your signature dish?
I make a mean apple pie!
