Sixties soul, garage, surf and psychedelic rockers Miranda and The Beat have been a band across the United States.
What originated as a two piece in California became a four piece in Brooklyn, the B-52s-meet- Fu Manchu (or Thin Lizzy, if you prefer) rock n’ roll band now calls New Orleans home base. They recently released Can’t Take It, a full studio album recorded in Berlin at King Khan Moon Studios where artists such as The Black Lips have cemented their sound.
OffBeat caught up with guitarist and vocalist Miranda Zipse about the band and what it’s been like since she came out of the wound playing rock n’ roll. For the record, Zipse has a presence that is California cool and Brooklyn bite with a side of New Orleans flair.
Tell us about the title track and the video for “Can’t Take It.” How did that come about?
When recording at King Khans Germany compound, he played us a bunch of voice memos of little snippets and ideas he had, and there was one where he kept saying the phrase “I can’t take it, I can’t take anymore.” That was pretty much where we were at in life as a band, so we took that and kind of made this album revolve around being fed up with the bullshit.
What artists are you listening to right now?
The Mystery Lights just put out an absolute fuckin’ banger of an album called Purgatory. We’ve always looked up to them, so we’re stoked the new album is so incredible. Our friends Tuxedo Cats also just put out a badass EP, and we’ve also been listening to new local homies Badzy who rule!
Young Taylor Swift fans just took over New Orleans and Taylor just so happens to actually play the guitar. Do you think there is less of a market now for rock and guitar-based music with younger people?
I have no real clue about what the market is and what’s like super popular with kids or whatever. We just make shit that we like and I guess when you come from somewhere real, that’ll always resonate with people no matter the age. Always super cool when we play all ages shows or festivals to see younger kids throwing down and getting into it!
What can your fans expect at the record release party?
The release party is at Santos on Tuesday, October 29. Expect the shit to go down. You like debauchery and good fuckin rock and roll? Sick! Then come on out! We have an open bar sponsored by Cheramie Rum from 8-9 p.m. and also have a costume contest at midnight where the best costume gets $100 cold hard cash, baby.
Miranda and The Beat are Miranda Zipse on vocals and guitar; Dylan Fernandez on Farfisa and guitar; Alvin Jackson on bass and Alex Mandel on drums.
