For a decade, San Francisco’s Thao Nguyen has been making idiosyncratic, emotional pop music that doesn’t sound like anyone else. Her rich, expressive voice blends seamlessly with her tight, rhythmic band, the Get Down Stay Down, creating joyous, charged music that you can dance to.
Nguyen has collaborated with The Portland Cello Project and Joanna Newsom, and has released a full-length collaborative album with the singer-songwriter Mirah. In 2012, she toured as a part of WNYC’s Radiolab live show “In the Dark.” The most recent Thao and the Get Down Stay Down album, “We the Common,” was inspired by Nguyen’s work with the California Coalition of Women Prisoners.
Thao and the Get Down Stay Down will be in Portsmouth as part of the Prescott Park Arts Festival on July 8. We caught up with Nguyen by email while she was playing a festival in Vietnam. She talked about touring with Radiolab, working with Mirah and Merrill Garbus of Tune-Yards, and making a country record.
photo by Lauren Tabak
What have you been up to in the last couple of years, since “We the Common” came out in 2013?
I’ve been touring and writing and recording and working more with the California Coalition for Women Prisoners and trying to go to yoga.
What was it like touring with the Radiolab live show? What did you learn from being on the road with them?
I loved touring with Radiolab — I loved being part of such a multi-faceted show, with Pilobolus dancers and amazing visual effects. I learned so much about storytelling and presentation.
What was the process of working on your collaboration with Mirah (and Merrill Garbus) like? You toured together prior to the recording. Were you working out arrangements on tour with a later recording in mind?
Mirah and I each wrote about four or five songs and we worked out all arrangements with Merrill in the studio. I am great friends with and huge fans of both — they’ve inspired me a great deal, both musically and writing-wise.
Do you have a routine with regard to writing? A special place or time of day that you set out to work?
I try to exercise and then write every day, but it’s looking like no matter how disciplined I am, I have to wait ‘til the last minute and freak out, then cram. Like I did in college.
You’ll be playing in Vietnam soon. How did that come about, and what are you most looking forward to about this trip?
Hello from Vietnam! We were invited to play in Hanoi by the U.S. Embassy. We’ve been having an amazing time and I was able to bring my mom, who hasn’t been back since 1973. I wanted to see Vietnam for the first time by her side, so it’s been quiet poignant and sweet.
“We like for everyone at our shows to have a good time. I can promise our sincere best effort and gratitude.”
Have you ever considered making a country album? Do you have any as-yet unrealized musical aspirations?
I have considered making a country album. I don’t know if we have enough for a whole one; I like to just sneak one (country song) onto every record. My musical aspiration is to always make things I like to hear, and say things I think are important to say.
Who or what do you find inspiring?
My mom, the California Coalition of Women Prisoners, people who don’t always choose the money, single parents, amazing organizers, and social activists.
How do you keep happy and healthy on the road?
Exercise, stopping at health food stores, eating kale-like chips, trying to meditate for a few minutes every morning, sleeping as much as we can, staying grateful, and remembering we are so lucky to do this for a living.
What do you listen to while driving?
I listen to NPR and whatever my bandmates are listening to, in addition to old country and early ’90s hip hop and sad shit that’s good for staring at long expanses of highway.
Where are some of your favorite places to visit?
In the U.S., I like Austin and Chicago and good food cities.
Have you played in New Hampshire before?
I can’t remember if we’ve played New Hampshire before, but I’m looking forward to it!
What can we be looking forward to from you?
We like for everyone at our shows to have a good time. I can promise our sincere best effort and gratitude. Also, we have a new album coming out next year.
Thao and the Get Down Stay Down perform Wednesday, July 8 at 7 p.m. at the Prescott Park Arts Festival, Marcy Street, Portsmouth. There is a suggested donation of $8-$10. Tickets are available at prescottpark.org.
papercut illustration by Dylan Metrano
Top of page: Thao Nguyen in the grass. photo by Connie Aramaki