CMW 2008: Hey Rosetta!

Hometown: St. John's, NL
Official Website: www.heyrosetta.com
Members:
Tim Baker (vocals, piano, guitar)
Phil Maloney (drums)
Josh Ward (bass)
Adam Hogan (guitar)
Jessie Tesolin (cello)
Kinley Dowling (violin)

Newfoundlanders Hey Rosetta! Have a lot more in common with Arcade Fire than Great Big Sea, and we're pretty happy for that. ChartAttack caught up with singer Tim Baker to ask him some CMW questions.

So, you're about to play the big industry event that is Canadian Music Week. What's the most shameless thing you've ever done to promote your band?
Tim Baker: We try and keep the shame level to a minimum. I actually can't think of anything we did to promote ourselves that would be shameful or shameless. Funny those words nearly describe the same thing. A long time ago we did a show at The Ship in St. John's on this calendar holiday that no one really celebrates called The Sweetest Day. I think maybe they celebrate it in Australia or something. Anyway, we thought it was pretty… well… sweet, so we bought a bunch of boxes of chocolate and handed them out mid-set. That wasn't so shameless as it was delicious, I guess. Our marketing plan is built on deliciousness, and maybe nutritiousness, but not shamelessness.

What's the hardest part about being an up-and-coming band?
I guess it's probably having to work a job that pays you regularly while also having to get up and get on the road for a month at a time. Yeah, money, definitely money. Other than that, it's awesome.

How important is it for your band members to circulate and flirt with the audience before or after the show?
I guess it's important. More than that though, it's way more fun and interesting than hanging around backstage. We see a lot of each other in our little van. That being said, I personally don't really hang around in the crowd before a show. I need to get focused a bit. Sing a few "aaahs," stretch my arms, nerdy stuff. But I really love to see people afterwards. It would almost be weird not to, right?

Have you ever stolen from someone else's rider? If so, who was it and what did you take?
OK, so maybe that was shameful. We stole some gummy bears from Bedouin Soundclash one time. But they definitely didn't mind 'cause they had loads and those guys are super nice. Our rider was beer. I guess we got up to no good. Not out of jealousy or anything, just out of drinking a bunch of beer.

Have you ever been graded before according to ChartAttack.com's Rock 'n' Roll Report Cards?
I don't believe so.

Does the idea of being graded bring back bad memories of being in elementary school or high school?
To be completely honest, I loved school and miss it almost daily. I know, lame. Sorry.

Have you done anything new or interesting this week?
We played a show in Fredericton on Friday and I was completely hoarse. That's a first. I drank half-a-bottle of Buckley's on stage and somehow got through it. After the show, I read the bottle and it's this new formula that has more than a Tylenol worth of acetaminophen in each sip, so it turns out I drank eight or nine Tylenol during the set. Needless to say, I was in no pain. It was actually kinda nice. Not a habit I think I will pick up, though.

Hey Rosetta! play the Horseshoe Tavern on Friday, March 7 @ 1:10 a.m. as part of the annual Chart/Horseshoe/Canadian Music Week showcase.