Ask A Straight Guy: Invisible Hand’s Adam Smith
Before you ask, no, I have not mastered time travel in order to go back to the 18th century and score an interview with the father of modern economics. This is way more interesting than that…
Let me introduce you to Charlottesville, Virginia’s own Invisible Hand, one of my favorite new local bands. If you ask me, they’re kind of like a modern-day, countrified version of The Kinks: a little blues, a little rock, a little psychedelia and a whole lotta swagger. Now, I talked about them a bit in my MACRoCk review last month, so if you’d like to read a bit more and see some pictures you can head over there, or you can check out their Myspace. However, if you’d rather see them in person, you’re in luck my friend for they will be performing at the Velvet Lounge this Tuesday, May 24th. I’ve seen them a few times now, and they put on a pretty badass live show, so if you’re in town, this is one that’s not to be missed. In the meantime, lead singer/guitarist Adam Smith was kind enough to sit down and answer some of our silly questions!
TNG: When did you first realize you were straight?
Adam Smith: I guess my parents just always told me I was going to be straight. My classmates said I was straight. My teachers. The police. So yeah, I guess American culture in general just asked this of me. It’s my cross to bare.
TNG: What is your least favorite stereotype about straight people?
AS: That we all watch college basketball—and fuck women.
TNG: What obligations, if any, do you feel that you have to the gay community?
AS: I guess the same obligations to any minority community—to be decent and compassionate and try to get everybody everywhere to push for equal rights. You can’t just hope that the bigots and racists and fascists will slowly die out with the grandparents. You have to be active about it.
TNG: What are the biggest challenges faced by a straight person in today’s culture?
AS: Well for some of us, it’s not really that simple. A lot of us aren’t just straight—we’re also white, upper-middle class…and American! Try that on for size! Sometimes it’s tough not knowing exactly which of the myriad opportunities we should partake in. You can’t just spend all of your twenties sucking down mint juleps and asking your lawyer parents to help you with rent. It makes a person feel shallow. You know?
TNG: If you had to “go gay” for one member of the same sex, who would it be?
AS: Big Dick Cheney
TNG: Given the seemingly endless number of “indie” artists in existence today, how do you think you set yourself apart from the crowd?
AS: We try to keep our songs current by staying true to the ones that have influenced us, as opposed to jumping onto a sound that is hip right now.
TNG: Finally, why should Washington, DC come out and see you play this Tuesday?
AS: Invisible hand jobs for everyone!
Be sure to check out Invisible Hand this Tuesday, May 24th at Velvet Lounge with Cheniers, Americans in France and Foul Swoops. Tickets are $7. Doors open at 7:30. See you there!
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Invisible Hand Jobs! Best reason yet to see this show!
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