Photo by David Waldman

by Matt Dixon, May '07

1. Please introduce the band and give some background info:
TIM: Hello! We are a band from Toronto with 4 members. Sandi sings and plays guitar and sax, Rob plays keys/synth, Alan plays bass/ladies and Tim plays drums. We are about 3 years old and firmly in the obnoxious toddler stage!

2. How would you describe your music to someone that has yet to hear you?
TIM: Loud and fun? I'm not sure... we like to mix it up but we usually end up writing loud songs with big endings!
SANDI: Anti chorus and pro triumph (major keys need not apply)!
ALAN: It's like a kick or a punch to your tender fun spots. You aren't sure you like it, but it's good to know you still feel something down there.

3. What are some things you try to communicate through the music?
SANDI. I hope our music illustrates our collective personalities: Nervous, spastic, jagged, sarcastic, fun and loud. Most of our songs deal with the things that affect everyone we know; how we deal with a lack of spare time, accepting our good and bad character traits for what they are, perservering despite continuous exhaustion, anxiety, and the ever popular silver lining(!).

4. How has the DIY ethic influenced the band?
TIM: In a pretty huge way! We put out all of our own music, we book all of our own shows and we are solely responsible for all band decisions. It makes sense to us.

5. I noticed Books On Tape has a remix on your new EP "Movement!". How did this relationship come about?
TIM: Todd is amazing!! We played a show here in Toronto at Wavelength (a very awesome weekly event in Toronto -- check it out http://www.wavelengthtoronto.com) with him and enjoyed each others music and company! He mentioned he really liked one of our songs and would love to do a remix. We weren't sure if he was serious of not, but when it came time to release the ep we decided to give him a shout and see what he thinks -- and he was still into it!
SANDI: Todd is an awesome dude and a digital wizard. We are naturally attracted to awesome wizards.

6. You have an East Coast mini-tour with the Stolen Minks from Halifax coming up. Is this your first time on the East Coast as a collective? How did you hook up with the Stolen Minks?
TIM: Alan lived in the Halifax for a while, so he knows what's up. The rest of us have never been there before and we're all really looking forward to it. Everyone I know who has ever visited comes back with nothing but positive memories! Tiina from the Stolen Minks is a friend of Alan so that's how that came about! We're pretty excited to play all these shows with them!
ALAN: The Stolen Minks are the single greatest band on earth. They also really enjoy a party where people get in fist fights and kiss afterwards.

7. What has been your most memorable live show to date? Why?
TIM: There have been some good ones. We played at an old schoolhouse in Chatham (a few hours outside of Toronto) last summer and it was pretty amazing. We seem to have a fondness for playing house shows and have had the opportunities on a few occasions! They usually provide the best atmosphere!
SANDI: House parties, themed nights and alternative venues always equal a great time. The atmospheres always tend to be extra magical and electric.

8. What do you think sets The Guest Bedroom apart from other bands?
ALAN: Because of my bad breath and our collective tendency to fight, other bands don't like coming near us. I guess that really sets us apart.

9. What is your favourite dance party song?
ALAN: Is it a sexy dance party or the other kind. It really makes a difference.

10. Whats up next for The Guest Bedroom?
SANDI: More adventures (we just got a van!) and more recording/songwriting! Alan's been looking into getting a few sponsorships by energy drink companies.

11. How can ppl contact you?
ALAN: Carrier pigeon is a good bet. If that doesn't work (or there's no willing pigeon handy) myspace is always a good idea (http://www.myspace.com/theguestbedroom) and we have an e-mail address (info@theguestbedroom.com). Send us some stories/recipes/ect!

12. Final words?
ALAN: Come to the bookstore and visit us (Tim likes when you read him mystery novels. He finds it soothing.)!