Local Frequency: Bay Area Band Q&A w/ Il Gato

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Il Gato began as a solo project by Daimian Holiday Scott (vocals, acoustic guitar, harmonica, loop pedal, etc.) during his days living in Spain. Upon returning to the States, he turned the project into a full band. Utilizing an array of instruments, Il Gato creates a mellow, lush indie folk sound that at times gets kinda loud.

All These Slippery Things, which comes out June 22, is the first Il Gato album with the full-band lineup. It features Matthew Souther (trumpet, flugelhorn, melodica, piano, vocals), Johnny Major (drums, vocals), and Andrew Thomas (upright bass, electric bass, vocals). The guys met up with Local Frequency at Bigfoot Lounge to chat about classical music, being buried with your iPhone and their beef with John Vanderslice.

If you could describe your sound as a San Francisco neighborhood, which one would it be?
Daimian Holiday Scott: I would probably say the Mission, as it is steeped in history, but with all the styles, diversity, and change that is afoot it seems a little ambiguous. You turn the corner and where you least expect it, there is all of a sudden some type of magic.

Where do you like to go during happy hour?
Andrew Thomas: Anywhere with good beer on tap. I'm a huge snob.
DHS: I mentioned 22nd St., which is my favorite area around: [places like] the Latin American and the Revolution, where you can sit on the street. And Zeitgeist and El Rio. Anywhere where you can be outside. Actually my house is the place. I make this infused vodka and Limoncello and my roommate is starting to do homebrews again.
Matthew Souther: I'm kind of on a bar boycott. I just don't like them that much. I usually just go there on business. Business being Il Gato.
Johnny Major: I live in the Lower Haight, so I tend to stay around there. [I like] Aub Zam Zam. I will admit that I didn't go until I saw it on Anthony Bourdain.

You mentioned you want to bring back the idea of an album, in what way?
DHS: The idea was to construct an album where you hear the song and want to hear the next song. I got from idea from [Neutral Milk Hotel's] Aeroplane Over The Sea. There's literally bleed from one song into the nest, which makes your individual song more experimental. The idea is not allowing you to hear the song in a separated context.