brainiacsDAUGHTER
by Lisa Olen
brainiacsDAUGHTER is another unsigned Florida hopeful waiting for their big break. This techno, sci-fi-distorto, rock act — lead by singer/songwriter Kristy Jo Haima, who is a diva in her own sense of the word. Opening for national acts such as K’s Choice, winning a spot in a national Tommy Hilfiger television ad, featured on MTV’s Road Rules and on the motion picture, “Olive Juice,” brainiacsDAUGHTER is a no-nonsense, in-your-face and here-to-stay band of hard-working team players. This summer, they received runner-up distinctions at the Virginia Slims Dueling Divas Competition.
Kristy Jo Haima went from just a country girl on a Wisconsin farm to fiery-eyed rock seductress whose been hailed the next Shirley Manson of Garbage. I spoke with Kjo/Jojo/Kristy Jo/Chicky-babe (she hasn’t decided yet) about anything and everything in her exciting new life.
FEMMUSIC: Where did the name brainiacsDAUGHTER come from?
HAIMA: brainiacsDAUGHTER came from a song title off an XTC album called “Chips from the Chocolate Fireball” which was released under the alias band name “Dukes of Stratosphere.” One night the band went into the studio to hammer on instruments and ended up recording a bunch of tunes that sounded like the Beatles on acid. The record company wouldn’t release the songs under their original name because they were so different from what was previously released. It was finally agreed the songs would be released under the alias band name.
FEMMUSIC: You describe your sound as sci-fi, distorto, techno-rock?
HAIMA: Sci-fi-distorto-techno-rock was more or less a joke that soon became a pretty accurate description of our music and how we wanted to portray the band’s image. We were tired of putting ourselves into such wide open categories as rock, pop or alternative when those words have so many different meanings between people. This new description at the very least makes people stop in their tracks, giving them something to open their imagination up to and think about.
FEMMUSIC: Who were your influences upon getting into this business?
HAIMA: Between all the members of the band, we have a huge array of influences that ranges from Jazz to Classical and Rock to Industrial. My CD collection alone is well over 700 now and contains such artists as Patsy Cline, Led Zeppelin, Duke Ellington and Chopin. I would have to say that within the three years I’ve become a huge fan of British artists. I would say however that bands or individuals like Liz Phair, Elastica, Curve, Radiohead, Econoline Crush and Rob Zombie have been the driving influence behind our music.
FEMMUSIC: For an unsigned band, you’ve gained as much national exposure as some signed bands. How did you accomplish all of your success thus far?
HAIMA: Persistence….and a cell phone (hahaha). I always swore I would never have one and if I did it would be nailed to the kitchen wall. But really, I’m accessible all the time, which makes it easy to deal with our band. We also spend a little more money to have really nice press kits. Having a press kit that that stands out gets your foot in the door that much faster. I would have to say that most of our success comes from friends we’ve made along the way.
FEMMUSIC: Have you ever-received slack for being the female lead in a rock band composed of mostly males?
HAIMA:No more than any girl gets from any industry dominated by men. It’s hard and it comes at you from every angle, but you just learn to deal with it. What doesn’t kill you only makes you stronger, right? The boys in the band have always been extremely supportive. They realize that having a girl front person can add to the appeal of getting gigs and getting signed. The only thing that really bugs me, is guys who ask who I’m dating in the band. It always comes off the same way, like they don’t think a girl can write songs, sing and play an instrument on her own. I could stand on a soapbox and elaborate, but you don’t want that!
FEMMUSIC: What are your plans for the new EP? Are you still keeping the same sound and style?
HAIMA: We’re hoping to have an EP out by late Spring 2000. In addition to the 4-5 songs on the EP, it will also contain some remixed songs off the CD “Behave.” We’re trying to write better, catchier songs that have stronger pop melodies. We will also add more electronic textures, but more rock. Ha! Got you all messed up now don’t I???
FEMMUSIC: If you could tour with anyone in the world, who would it be and why?
HAIMA: Radiohead. They’ve got the best light show (hahahaha!) Seriously, they are a great band.
FEMMUSIC: How important has the internet been to your success – MP3s and what not?
HAIMA: Email has been a wonderful tool! We save a fortune on phone calls and postage from the mass tree mailings to fans. We’ve just barely started using the recourses the internet has to offer, but on-line record stores and sites such as MP3.com have already proven to be wonderful. Because the world has access to our music and us, we’re able to sell anywhere in the world. We sold our first CD to Russia in September when this guy’s friend from Michigan sent him an mp3 file of our stuff. It’s amazing how quickly word gets around. When the EP comes out, we plan on pushing sales hard through the internet. I firmly believe you can sell thousands of CD’s without leaving the piano bench.
FEMMUSIC: Anything else you want to say to the readers?
HAIMA: Has anyone invented lipstick that doesn’t come off on microphones yet?
Their toll free hotline can be reached at 877-815-1951 where you can hear updates on the band’s news updates and show schedules as well.