Roman Numerals are one of Kansas City's favorite group of musicians. With members running venues, booking for venues, and playing in multiple other musical groups around the city, these faces are not uncommon to the area music lovers. Two Pandas caught up with Steve Tulipana and talked a little Numerals with him...
Two Pandas: The members of the band are parts of multiple projects in the local Kansas City scene. Which members are members of other bands?
Roman Numerals: Billy Smith plays in Olympic Size, Thee Water Moccasins, Unknown Pleasures:Joy Division Tribute, Dirt Nap and Season to Risk as well as performing and creating soundtrack's solo.
I, Steve Tulipana also play in Thee Water Moccasins, Unknown Pleasures and Season to Risk
Shawn Sherrill plays in Unknown Pleasures
Ryan Shank plays also plays in Be/Non and Mannequin Skywalker
TP: Briefly tell us about your relationship with Anodyne Records, how it began, and the relationship now.
RN: John Hulston from Anodyne is an old friend. We recorded the first album ourselves and shopped it for awhile. John's offer was the best we got and we were happy to be part of a great local label. That said, I think he's transitioning away from the label as he recently opened Czar Bar and had a baby, so we plan to release future material independently.
TP: You’ve been up for a Pitch award more than once. You’ve had an album win Pitch.com’s Album of the Year. Who keeps the award?
RN: Not sure? We tend to drink a lot at the Pitch Awards parties and it's not just awards that go missing. Actually, I think there is one at recordBar somewhere.
TP: Steven, you also run the Record Bar meaning you’ve seen a lot of what the local music scene has to offer. What are your thoughts on the scene?
RN: I love Kansas City and it's bands. It's always in flux of course but I think we all support each other here despite genres. I think we have some great creative arty bands, awesome punk bands, good songwriters, a unique alternative jazz scene, and some decent metal too.
TP: What is your favorite venue to play in the Kansas City area? (You cannot say the Record Bar!)
RN: recordBar!!!!! Sorry, it is. Actually, it's pretty annoying to play here sometimes because it's hard to separate work from play but I am really proud of our sound system, engineers and the naturalness of the room. As long as the engineers aren't trying to blow the roof off. 2nd favorite? Ah, I don't want to play favorites. We'll play anywhere. Just played 8th Street Tap Room in Lawrence a few weeks ago and had a blast.
TP: What is on your Christmas list?
RN: Bo-tox, Propecia and Viagra. I mean Chartreuse, Gran Marnier and Veuve Clicquot
TP: You have all but one of your CDs stolen. Which CD would you wish be left behind?
RN: Einsturzende Neubauten's Haus Der Luge (I guess)
TP: It’s a popular question among many local music lovers… What is in store for Roman Numerals?
RN: We are working w/ this new company, TopSpin Media. We are utilizing their software to release digital singles coupled w/ videos and remixes. We intend for each "single" to come out every 4 to 6 weeks over the next year w/ a complete package at the end of the cycle. The plan is to use a different producer/engineer for each song. So far we've release one, "GO/NO/GO" w/o the extras as an incentive to build our email database. Dave Gaume (Stella Link) produced it. You can get it here for free www.theromannumerals.com . Soon the remix and video will be added. The 2nd single, "This Motion" was just finished w/ Eric Graves (Emotron/Esoteric). Kid Called Computer in Chicago is working on the remix as we speak. We are soliciting creative types to help w/ the video. We will release it once we have all the components. Oh yeah, and the video for the first single has been concepted by me (you'll just have to wait to see it) Studio N8 will be helping me on it. He's currently also working on the Be/Non film A Mountain of Yeses.
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