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1.) We’re very happy to have some time today with acclaimed female fronted, guitar driven, alt/rock/blues-rock/roadhouse raunch band direct from Chicago, Illinois, wht.rbbt.obj; greetings and salutations, gang! Before we dive down the proverbial Q&A musical rabbit hole, could you each say ‘hi’ and introduce yourselves to our ever-inquisitive readers?
I’m River Toussaint Rabbitte. I’m the lead singer, and play keys/synth, and rhythm guitar for the band. I was born in France, but have lived in Chicago most of my life.
I’m Frank Rabbitte, River’s husband, currently bringing the bass. Born in New Orleans, Louisiana, bounced around a bit in my younger days and landed here in Chicago.
I am Doc B, playing the electric guitar. I was born and bred in the mountains of West Virginia, but came to the Chicago area in the last decade or so.
Hello. My name is AC and I play drums. I’m from Lansing, Michigan and came to Chicago some years back.
2.) Major kudos and accolades on the November 24 release of your premiere EP Whiskey Hotel Tango! River, can you talk a little about what inspired this absolute stunner of a debut EP? Was it a long time in the making?
First of all, thank you for your kind words on the record! This one has definitely been a long time coming, but, you know what they say: you’ve got a lifetime to make your first record, and six months to make your next, so we really wanted to make sure we set ourselves up in a sort of story-telling direction with this one. This record is inspired by a myriad of things – love found, love scorned, love confused…it’s cheeky and thoughtful and existential all wrapped up, musically. At the heart of the record, though, it’s really just a testament to never abandoning the things you care for – whether that be home, love, yourself…love is at the soul of everything we create.
3.) Frank, who was the producer on Whiskey Hotel Tango and what did the collaboration between band and producer look like in the studio?
The EP was recorded at Sound Vault Studios in Chicago, Illinois. Andrew Christopoulos was our jack of all trades in the studio, Producer and Engineer. First, he made the entire process super easy and enjoyable. He was very open to learning how best to record us as a band. But I think the best part was that he immediately “got us.” He knew exactly where to add and where to subtract, and how to best get our message across in a way that was honest to our sound. He was not afraid to tell us where we had needs, and what needed to be better. We’ve tried to work with producers who suddenly want to just take control. They want to make the record they want to make, and fit you in their box. But Andrew didn’t do that. He helped us to create the best record for us. His perspective was so important and he just was super amazing to work with, and we cannot wait to get back in the studio with him for our next EP. I also should give a shout out to Sean Ekhart, he worked as an intern on the production of the EP, and was a huge help in the studio.
4.) Doc, in your humble opinion what differentiates Whiskey Hotel Tango from the Distinguished Competition on the 2023 music scene?
The simple, “stripped-down”, in-your-face, gritty reality of the music. The music isn’t fancy, it’s not overly complex and the sound isn’t heavily processed. It’s just straightforward, natural and visceral, like most things that matter in life. No gimmicks.
5.) Frank, we’re big admirers of the beautiful tune No Rainbows In Indiana off of the freshly-minted new EP Whiskey Hotel Tango! What’s the story behind this gem of a ditty?
Well, thank you. We love playing the song too, and we are loving the response it gets. As for the story, myself and River were headed back from a trip down to Nashville, driving through Indiana, when a sun shower broke out. River turned to me, flashing that amazing smile of hers and with a twinkle in her eye, said, “Oh, honey! Look for rainbows.” Ever the tease, I said, “Darlin’, don’t you know? There’s no rainbows in Indiana.” By the time we hit Chicago, the song was basically written. It’s a road song. It’s about longing and loss. It gives some nods to the places we have been and lived. But most of all, it is about that need in all of us to just get back home. For us, that is Chicago. And no offense intended, Indiana.
6.) River, word ‘round industry campfire has it that the premiere wht.rbbt.obj EP Whiskey Hotel Tango is but the opening volley in what is anticipated to be a bonafide trilogy of EPs from the band. Can you give readers a hint or three as to what they can look forward to in the next two EPs?
I guess the secret’s out! Yes, this record is the first installment of three records, which we anticipate releasing over the course of the next year. One thing I love about playing with this group is that we don’t necessarily conform to just one genre, and I think listeners will be pleased with the chiliagon-esque nature of these records. Listeners can expect a lustful, whimsical, raw, and infectious mix of each of our musical backgrounds.
7.) Frank, in the wake of the November 24 release of Whiskey Hotel Tango, what does the touring/performing dance card look like for wht.rbbt.obj in the coming weeks and months?
Well, it is amazing how quick the dance card is filling up. We are on a little hiatus for the holidays and don’t come back until January 13th at a local venue called RocHaus, which if you are anywhere in the Chicago area, you need to make it a point to go to at least one show there. We have a string of local shows after the 13th, about one per week, but we have plans to hit some regional cities this summer. Louisville, Indianapolis, Milwaukee, Detroit. We have some bigger things on the fire that I am looking forward to announcing, but I promise, we are going to keep playing and pushing. We love it all too much to stop now.
8.) Doc, how do the Chicago roots of wht.rbbt.obj inform the sound and energy of the band?
Chicago has always been a working man’s town. From the slaughterhouses back in the 1800s and 1900’s and on, its been an “in-your-face” kind of city with a gritty realism and a blue collar sensibility. I like to think our music reflects that.
9.) A question for all of you: Who inspires you musically?
A.C.: Sheila E and Prince. I’m influenced by a lot of artists and musicians but those two are the ones that inspire me musically.
River: I am particularly inspired by so many different artists – I really love Nina Simone. She’s unapologetic and brilliant. Miles Davis, Hank Mobley; really mostly jazz artists…I like how nervous jazz makes me. You expect resolve and often get thrown into the void. I’m also really into Serge Gainsbourg…talk about unapologetically sexy. I’m French – I like complicated and sexy. What do you want from me?
Doc: For me it was always the guitar greats. Clapton. Stevie Ray Vaugn. Satriani and any 80’s hair band. But I also really connect with folk and bluegrass like any good West Virginian.
Frank: I think most of my early inspiration came from the Blues. B.B. King being probably my all time favorite guitarist. I just loved the way he allowed space. Not every moment needs to be filled. Sometimes it is as much the notes you don’t play, as the notes you play. But then I discovered Garage Rock and the entire Garage Rock Revival scene, which a lot of times is just “Secret or Hidden Blues.” Just take away the shuffle and play the same chords. From The Sonics and Paul Revere & The Raiders, to The Black Keys and everything Jack White.
10.) A.C., at the end of the day what do you hope listeners walk away with after giving copious spins to the beautiful debut wht.rbbt.obj EP Whiskey Hotel Tango?
I hope the listeners walk away knowing that normal everyday people put their blood, sweat and tears into this project. With hard work comes great success and rewards.
11.) Final – SILLY! Question (for all of you): Favorite movie about the music scene – This Is Spinal Tap, Almost Famous, Hustle and Flow, Walk the Line or Oliver Stone’s The Doors?
Doc: SPINAL TAP – NO QUESTION. It captures the quirks of live performing, it’s damn funny and hey, it goes to “11.”
River: Gonna go off the cuff for this one… Whiplash is better than all of those.
Frank: Can I pick none of the above, too? For me, The Commitments is my absolute favorite movie about music. It’s a fabulous story with some amazingly talented musicians. The music is just banging from start to finish. It’s dirty, gritty and sexy. And most of all, it is a tragedy right out of Shakespeare. Am I the only one who finds something immensely romantic in a true tragic ending?
AC: Oh c’mon! What kind of trick question is that?! All of them!
