Best Coast Interview

Best Coast, leaders of the Cali indie scene, combine three great musical genres – 60’s girl groups, stoner rock and surf pop – to create a warm, resonating, sun-drenched sound. While the lyrics sung by Bethany Cosentino are simple and straightforward, they can also be bittersweet but in a comforting kind of way. Crazy For You was the unofficial soundtrack for the summer of 2010 and also earned the band a place on roughly a billion ‘best of’ lists. Last year, one of the coolest humans on earth – Drew freakin’ Barrymore – made her music video directorial debut creating the clip for Best Coast’s ‘Our Deal’. Minds were blown.

The band is touring Australia shortly, this time as a four-piece (!), playing at all the Big Day Out’s and also sideshows in Sydney and Melbourne (details and opportunities to win below). We caught up with Bethany, who is as chill as her music.

Ingrid Kesa: What did you think of Australia last time you were here?
Bethany Cosentino: I loved it. Australia is one of my favorite places to come to. It feels more like a vacation than a tour whenever I’m there. The crowds are awesome, the food is great, the weather rules – it reminds me of California, I love it there.

Do you get any time off this time around? What do you wanna do?
We actually have a lot of time off on this trip. I’m hoping to get to the beach since I didn’t do that last time. Hug some koalas, do some shopping.

Drew Barrymore directed your video for ‘Our Deal’ [below]. What was working with her like?
It was rad. She’s a really laid-back person and just has so much passion for what she does.

Your music, to me, is like listening to summer. What’s the best part about summer for you?
Summer just makes me feel like a teenager. Drinking beer in cut off shorts, hanging out at barbeques and stuff. It just evokes a really laid-back feeling. Plus I love the heat. I hate being cold, so summer is obviously the best.

I saw you last time you were in Australia. Well, I didn’t get to go to your show unfortunately, but I saw you sitting side of stage at Wavves’ Sydney show at Manning. Some girl jumped on stage and tried to kiss Nathan [Wavves' lead singer and Bethany's boyfriend]. Was that weird? Does that shit happen all the time?
[Laughs]. I don’t even remember that happening. He’s a stud and he plays in a band so of course girls like him. Usually only crazy fourteen-year-old girls do that kind of stuff, but I’ve had dudes jump up on stage and try to kiss me too. People are freaks, man.

I know a lot of girls who have a girl-crush on you. Do you have a girl-crush on anyone?
I have a lot but my top 3 are Rihanna, Elizabeth Olsen and Paz de la Huerta.

Best Coast will play at the Big Day Out, as well as the following side-shows:

Wednesday, January 25
Manning Bar, Sydney

Saturday, January 28
Corner Hotel, Melbourne

Oyster Magazine are also giving away two double passes to each of the sideshows. So get involved!