Interview: Dunja VonStoddard of Aquarius
Interview: Dunja VonStoddard of Aquarius
How often do you meet someone who loves making art, lives in the realm they create, can play Bach on a Vox Continental, revels in the technicolor dreams and poly blends of vintage clothing, has every groove of every Rolling Stones album engraved in their psyche (well, except for maybe Dirty Work), talks into an old phone receiver, is a hockey mom AND knows a lot of the same people you do?? The cosmic magnetic pull here at planet Psychedelic Scene often draws the right minds together, and last week, I was delighted to find myself in orbit with Dunja VonStoddard.
She is the keyboardist and vibraslap operator of the 1960’s supergroup Aquarius. They’re NOT just a cover band, but a fully immersive, colorful human-connective experience! We had a great discussion about the 60’s, and particularly the allure of the music, which unites so many souls – young and old- who attend Aquarius shows. We talked about the importance of imperfection in art.
Dunja wears another hat as a screen printer, and she explained to me how this art form yields unique editions of similar prints just how each live performance is unique and different from others. The same idea carries over into how recordings of the sixties were also imperfect. However, this is reminder of how a human is behind the making of these songs, and not an automaton in a soundless room. Dunja told me about her rig and how she manages to emulate the right B-3 sound without having to lug so much heavy gear to shows.
Band members of Aquarius live the part. They stay in character! This means finding the grooviest duds that are optimal for accentuating keyboard playing or strumming guitars– you gotta see the flouncy sleeves on a dress she found when she was mining a vintage shop with fellow band members Karen and Dana! But be wary of maxi dresses as they tend to hide the Go-Go boots!! Recently, Aquarius shared the stage with the Strawberry Alarm Clock at The Whiskey- Go-Go in Los Angeles! I mean how much more 1967 can you get?!!
Riffindots is Britta Pejic–a musician, songwriter, artist, and foreign language teacher who grew up in Maine and lived in France (The Basque Country). Follow @riffindots for cartoonish fun and visual mayhem or simply enjoy her music at https://brittapejic.bandcamp.com
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