When the close-knit trio of Alberta Poon, Dan Grazzini, and Mike Mckinnon shed their previous moniker, Wet Confetti, in favor of Reporter, they changed more than just their name. Bands seldom break up and instantly reform without either losing or gaining a member, but in the case of these three longstanding local music fixtures they instead marked the change by streamlining their once-complex sound and showcasing their newfound pop music obsession. The product of this evolution is the splendid Dust & Stars, an endlessly appealing collection of bouncy pop treasures gleaming with co-ed vocals and an intriguing musical balance. Poon takes a moment of her time to explain the band’s new direction, the challenges of performing while on a trampoline, and the benefits of house shows.
MERCURY: When people ask me how Reporter is different from Wet Confetti, I always contradict myself by saying that you guys are more fun than in your old band, yet also more mature. Am I far off?
ALBERTA POON: I think you got it pretty right. We’re more mature in our songwriting in the sense that we don’t have a bunch of ideas colliding into a mess. We’re not as spastic as before. We’ve also yelled at our drummer a lot about changing his beats every five seconds (if you’re reading this, Mike, it was for your own good). I think we are a lot better at getting ideas across now, and have more poppy songs that could be perceived as more fun.
I saw Reporter perform at a party where you were on a trampoline while playing bass and singing. How did that come about?
I dreamt about performing on a trampoline and then a couple days later a trampoline was at a thrift store for four dollars! It was a sign that it was meant to be. Then I was like, “Is it even possible to play bass and jump on a trampoline?” I didn’t think I would have the rhythm to pull it off. So I practiced for a couple hours the day before the show and it seemed to be kind of working. Then I pulled it off beautifully at the show, but ironically we still had technical difficulties, ’cause Dan’s guitar didn’t work for about three-fourths of the set.
Speaking of house parties, out of courtesy we can’t print the address of the location of your CD release show. Why celebrate the Dust & Stars release at a house show?
Because house shows are the best! People are so much more relaxed at house shows and so much more likely to get into bands than at real rock clubs. Plus we don’t care about making any money off of it, and with “The Great Depression: Part II” in full bloom, people will appreciate the freeness of it.
Reporter perform on Friday, October 3, at Dekum Manor.