Christine Fink the front woman of High Up talks about, how going back home was the begin of making of a new life
Interview took place January 29, 2018
By Dan Locke
High Up singer Christine Fink moved to Omaha to be closer to her sister, notable singer songwriter Orenda Fink (Azure Ray, etc.) back in 2012. Down South in Muscle Shoals, Alabama, Christine had been known to exercise her theatrical roots at the local karaoke bars – and to great effect. The first time Orenda saw Christine sing at Sheffield’s Old Town Tavern her jaw dropped as she watched her sister bring the house down. After a few years in Omaha, Orenda noticed that Christine brought the house down no matter where she was singing- with people of all ages and walks of life lining up to buy her drinks and even give her requests to sing their favorite soul songs. But Christine was depressed, feeling aimless, shuffling between minimum wage jobs, and the thrill of the weekend performances wore off quickly. One night, the two began to talk about the future, and Orenda insisted that Christine should try and do what makes her happiest- perform for people. After much discussion, they decided to start High Up.
High Up is a collaboration mixing elements of indie, punk and soul that showcased Christine’s powerful vocals and Orenda’s seasoned songwriting. The band, which includes Josh Soto, Todd Fink (The Faint) and Matt Focht (Head of Femur, Bright Eyes). High Up draws from a wide variety of influences- from Janis Joplin, (who Christine is frequently compared to a live show from misty-eyed ex-hippies), Sam Cooke, and Screaming Jay Hawkins to Dead Kennedys and The Birthday Party. Their debut record, “You Are Here” was produced by Mike Mogis (Bright Eyes, First Aid Kit, Monsters of Folk) at ARC Studios in Omaha, Nebraska.
UnRated Magazine: What was you background like? How did you start you musical career?
Christine Fink : My background is in theatre, which is what my degree is in. In college and after, I had a couple of bands: The Easy Out, Religious Husband; and I sat in with a few other Shoals bands who were kind enough to have me. While I love the theatrical stage, I soon realized music is really where my heart is. Although I never really dug musical theatre … Weird right? Once I moved to Omaha and kinda flopped with local theatre auditions, my sister Orenda really jump started the idea of having a full time band (mostly because she was sick of me dragging her out to karaoke all the time) and that’s how High Up came to be.
You moved to Omaha to live near your sister. What was the music scene like there?
I was really excited and lucky to be a part of the Omaha music scene. There are so many incredibly talented performers here, and it was inspiring to watch them, learn from them and eventually be accepted into the fold.
Tell me about the development of your musical style?
I’ve been an “oldies” fan since I was a young child. From an early age my parents exposed me to the likes of Pink Floyd, Canned Heat, Screamin’ Jay Hawkins, Joe Cocker, Frankie Valli and Hank Williams, just to name a few. My earliest memory of soul music is seeing Smokey Robinson do a take on “You Really Got a Hold on Me” on Sesame Street, where the big letter U puppet creepily grabs at him during the performance. I remember, once getting past the handsy letter muppet, I was absolutely entranced with the style of music: the arrangement, the melody and lyrics.. It spoke to me in a way that really affected me as a 6 year old, and it never really left me. As I got older I developed a taste for punk as well, and the styles kinda melded for me: Sometimes emotion based, many times an agent for social change, both extremely influential in how I would eventually develop my own style.
I heard you’re a fan of karaoke?
Oh yeah! Music is such an amazing avenue for expression, and I love the idea of people being able to perform songs that mean something to them or just having a good time with music they connect with. Karaoke is the great equalizer!
I watched your video and just simplify love it. What was the concept of the video “Two Weeks”? It reminded me of the Blue Brothers with Aretha Franklin at the restaurant. Why did you go with the older style of filming and how long did it take you to record it? You have the same feel in your voice as she does. I can see good things happening to band.
Thanks a lot! We’ve all felt trapped under the thumb of “the man” in some way I think, so this video was kind of a simplified way to say “fuck it, stand up for yourself and follow your dreams.” Let’s be clear, that doesn’t work out well for everyone every time, but it’s nice to think it can, right? We did the video over the course of two nights at Shirley’s Diner in Millard, Nebraska. It’s our friend, Nik Fackler’s (Icky Blossoms) folks’ restaurant. Harrison Martin directed it and we had so much help from friends to make it happen.
How did you get Mike Mogis (Bright Eyes, First Aid Kit, and Monsters of Folk) to produce your debut record, “You Are
High Up (credit: Andy LaChance)
Here” (release date: 23 February 2018)?
Mike is a friend of ours and has produced and recorded several projects for various members of our band (The Faint, Azure Ray). We are so honored and happy to have had his guidance for this recording. He is a master in the studio and a pleasure to work with to boot.
The album is like a family affair. Josh Soto, Todd Fink (The Faint) and Matt Focht (Head of Femur, Bright Eyes). So recording it was just like being at home singing with your friends and family?
I actually had never met Matt Focht before recording, but Orenda and Todd had known him for years and I had only heard wonderful things about him. I was sequestered away in a vocal booth during recording, so it was more like looking through the living room window at my friends and family, singing along alone while they jammed out together haha. But we all got cheese dip and margaritas together after the last day of recording to celebrate!
You music takes clues from the classic Motown hit as well as 60s rock. Did you try to make the album sound like this?
We definitely like that stuff. Those old records sound so great. We wanted Mike to mix those old sounds with his modern techniques. The organs probably give the 60’s rock vibe.
You have some big plans for the upcoming year. What does you tour plan look like? I heard you will be playing the Treefort Music Festival and played at SXSW? How was that festival? What music fest would you like to play in the future?
We’re planning a nationwide tour in March with our friends Whispertown for the release of our album, and will be sharing those dates and cities very soon! SXSW was great. I’d never been so it was learning experience and I love Austin. We’re really excited about Treefort!
What instruments do you used to write your music?
Our songwriting process is very collaborative. Sometimes it begins with a simple acoustic and demo vocal track that we build from, other times the band writes a beat or melody and we write over it. It varies.
Do you like vinyl? What your favorite album?
I love vinyl, I even worked for a vinyl record store (Drastic Plastic in Omaha) for quite some time. It’s hard to pin down what my favorite album is … From Nina Sings the Blues – Nina Simone to Grand Prix – Teenage Fanclub to Fresh Fruit for Rotting Vegetables – Dead Kennedys… Those and so many others are in constant rotation.
If someone was listening to you for the first time, what 3 videos or songs would you tell them to look/listen to and why?
Two Week, Alabama to the Basement and Blue Moon
Who is your favorite singer and why?
This is another 3-way tie… Sam Cooke, Nina Simone and Graham Parsons are all up there.
What was your first concert and your last concert?
My first concert, my goodness, it’s hard to remember. Probably Bob Dylan with my parents. The last one was my husband’s band Unclefoot (prog rock). I don’t get out much to be honest.
How do you see your band in the next 5 years?
Hopefully another couple of records and tours under our belts, still kicking ass.
Any guilty pleasures your fans would be surprise you listen to?
I’m a big fan of The Eagles and Steely Dan. I wouldn’t call them guilty pleasures necessarily but you probably wouldn’t guess how much I dig them based on my own sound.
What is on your bucket list?
I’d like to see other parts of the world. I don’t generally think in terms of bucket lists, I kind of just take things as they come and try to relish every experience I’m afforded.
Thanks for your time!
Website | Facebook | Twitter | Instragram |
You must be logged in to post a comment.