1. Wolf Parade “I’ll Believe in Anything”
2. Kissed Her Little Sister “I Am Ben Franklin”
3. Summer Darling “Carving Letters”
4. Vanaprasta “Minnesota”
5. Radiohead “Killer Cars”
6. Bob Marley & The Wailers “Get Up Stand Up”
7. The Flaming Lips “In the Morning of the Magicians”
8. Pink Floyd “Us and Them”
9. Modest Mouse “The Stars Are Projectors”

Vanaprasta is a five-piece experimental ensemble that hails from Silverlake. They love geometry, darkness, LCD Soundsystem, and the Big Lebowksi. They have already received critical acclaim for their debut EP and recently finished mixing the rest of their LP with Health and Breeders producer Manny Nieto. Cameron Dymytryk, the band’s guitarist, sleigh bell player, and Logistician, answered these questions over email. This interview by Kristina Benson.

You live in Silverlake but traveled to Portland to record your 2009 record. How did being in Portland change the vibe of that record in comparison to the most recent one?
Doing a large majority of our album Healthy Geometry in Portland at Supernatural Sound was meditative in a lot of aspects. The studio is about 35 miles out of Portland in the forest and there are no distractions for miles. We were quite free to experiment and worked around the clock, sleeping on the studio floors and really nitpicking specifics. Some of the best times we had there were just jamming late night in the live room. It’s surrounded by large windows with views of the forest.
What was the first show you ever played as a band? Where was it and when?
Our first show was Feb. 3rd 2009 at The Airliner in east L.A. for about 15 people—mostly friends.
What’s the weirdest show you ever played?
Well, in our earlier days we were playing these acoustic gigs at the Beverly Hills restaurant Bond St. next to the Thompson Hotel. They were always to weird wealthy crowds and we’d usually get far too drunk on the roof afterwards. One particular night it was Collin’s—our guitar player—birthday and we threw him in the pool fully clothed. The staff seemed a little upset. The pool seems to be more like a decoration.
I notice an ongoing theme of shapes and geometry. Why?
‘Healthy geometry’ is the recurring theme associated with our album. It’s basically about abandoning the repeating unhealthy patterns people seem to circle around. It’s about breaking down these patterns and barriers in order to move forward in a more concise, defined direction. Every new angle and twist and turn brings hope and new opportunity, which is what we want to share within our music.
What song do you like to play first in your set and why?
We have an intro called “Shape 1” that we open most of our shows with. It’s meant to grab attention and steadily build tension into whatever song we choose to work it into. It really goes well with a strong marijuana high.
If you could cover one L.A. band’s song, whose would it be and why?
“I Am Ben Franklin” by Kissed Her Little Sister. Why? Because it would be a strange challenge and it’s the first thing that popped in my head.
If you could have done the soundtrack to any movie that takes place in L.A., which one would it be and why? You know—like Chinatown or L.A. Story or whatever?
We really like to write music on the more dark, intense side of the spectrum and then on the softer, more chilled-out side. So would it be cheating if I said both Mulholland Drive and The Big Lebowski?
What kind of gear would you buy for use in this band if you had a $500 budget?
For us guitarists? Probably more strange modulation effects. We’re big on delay and distortion but really are looking to get weirder and more unique with our tones. Maybe a not-cracked cymbal for our drummer Smiley. And maybe get a pony keg onstage…
If you had to be in a different L.A. band besides this one, what would be your first choice? No fair saying that you’d just remain in this one!
We have a lot of admiration for some of our fellow Silverlake bands. My first choice would be Summer Darling—they really present the same passion and energy on stage and write the same kind of guitar-driven rock we call “guitarwave.” But our influences have such a vast range that as far as past bands it would be a different answer from every member—from Red Hot Chili Peppers to the Doors to the Germs. Just for fun.
You’re from Silverlake like so many other bands. Is that helpful, in that it provides inspiration and a context wherein you’re surrounded by artists and musicians and all that? Or is it hard to stand out in the crowd?
It’s been extremely helpful in the realm of connecting with other artists and sharing in their passion. Some of the most memorable shows we’ve had haven’t been from our performance, but from the bills we’ve been lucky enough to share with other great Silverlake bands. Our residency is going to really highlight that, with great artists every night that we’ve grown with and admired since the beginning.
How do you define ‘success’ insofar as your music is concerned?
Our success is all based on living in the moment but never being satisfied. Every great opportunity we’re given like this residency is a stepping stone in our success but most importantly a launching point for moving forward. We’re all hungry and endlessly driven, and play every show—whether its for six people or six hundred—like it’s the main stage at Coachella.

VANAPRASTA WITH PACIFIC HURT IN RESIDENCY EVERY MONDAY IN SEPTEMBER AT THE ECHO, 1822 SUNSET BLVD., SILVERLAKE. 8:30 PM / FREE / 21+. ATTHEECHO.COM. VISIT VANAPRASTA AT MYSPACE.COM/VANAPRASTA.