Originally a duo featuring Barbara Solsky on vocals and guitar and Mike McCann on drums, Barbiana Complex released an EP, Year of the Dog, in 2000, which garnered critical acclaim in Europe. Eventually expanding to a five-piece band featuring Art Markenstein on keyboards, Damian DeBenedetto on bass, and Ross Snel on guitar, the Hoboken-based group recorded a single, Professor and Maryann/Suspended Animation, at iiwii Recording Studio in Weehawken. They have indie rock influences and have performed at various Big Apple venues. On Jan. 29 at 9 p.m. Barbiana Complex performs at Maxwell’s in Hoboken.
We recently caught up with Solsky.
EM – Where are you from?
BS – Barbiana Complex is a Hoboken-based band. All of the members are originally from Jersey except me. I’m from Troy, N.Y. near Albany.
EM – Who are your influences?
BS – Major influences include Sonic Youth, PJ Harvey, Patti Smith, the Breeders, and Nirvana.
EM – Why did you become a musician?
BS – I personally became a musician because I always loved to sing, since I was a little kid, and I always loved guitar-driven rock and roll.
EM – Where have you performed?
BS – We have played Uncle Joe’s in Jersey City, CBGBs, Sin-e’, Hard Rock Cafe, Continental, Meow Mix, and Brownies.
EM – What is your favorite day of the week?
BS – Our favorite day of the week is probably Tuesday.
EM – What are the last three CDs you bought?
BS – The last three CDs I bought were Erase Errata, Yeah, Yeah, Yeahs, and the reissue of Sonic Youth’s Dirty.
EM – How would you describe your music?
BS – Our music has been described as a cross between Patti Smith and Sonic Youth.
EM – Are you looking for mainstream exposure?
BS – We would like to record on a small indie label so we can reach a larger audience.
EM – What professional plans do you have for the future?
BS – As far as the future, we are hoping to set up a gig at Pianos in the next few months, and would like to play in Europe in the summer.
EM – What is the best part about your job?
BS – The best thing about our job is the sense of camaraderie we feel with each other and with the audience when we play.
Barbiana Complex performs at Maxwell’s at 1039 Washington St. in Hoboken on Jan. 29 at 9 p.m. For information call (201) 798-0406 or visit www.maxwellsnj.com. q
Pullout:
“Our music has been described as a cross between Patti Smith and Sonic Youth.” – Barbara Solsky
Our Digital Archive from 2000 – 2016
