Sweet Interference initially started in September 2006 with songwriter/multi-instrumentalist/transcendentalist Chris Cortelyou (previously the one-man group Transient Tractor). After long hours of futile effort searching for late night porn on craigslist, Chris settled for using the website to form a band. His first cohort was Moira Annelin, a classically trained opera singer whose influences ran from Weezer and other Weezer-like objects to . . . well, opera. Chris and Moira began practicing original Transient Tractor masterpieces as a duet, and realized they would need a full-band to be successful. The decision was quickly made to bring on Alex Marsh who was a recent high school graduate. Alex was more than qualified to fill out the low end and provide those smooth facial features needed to attract a few raving fans. The last part of the initial puzzle was guitarist, Mick Sexton. Disappointed that the try out wasn't a blood orgy but rather an actual band practice, Mick didn't know if he would fit in with this strange group of people. They soon accepted him into the fold - or at least tolerated him. The four-some (no, not that kind) soon started calling themselves Spoiled Girls Galore.
The group spent the remainder of 2006 and all of 2007 practicing relentlessly and playing out in clubs in the DC-Metro area. They also recruited a revolving door of drummers over the next two and a half years. The first was a mysterious figure simply known as "McGaughan," whom the group played their debut show with in January 2007 at the now non-existent Grog & Tankard in NW DC. They played the venue several more times that year including others like the Velvet Lounge, TT Reynolds, and Warehouse Theatre. In August of 2007, the group decided to call themselves Sweet Interference before releasing their debut album, "Losing the Highway." Sweet Interference received critical acclaim from their girlfriends and even Moira herself.
Much of 2008 was spent playing out in the city while working on material for a second album. In August of 2008, our heroes represented DC indie rock at the annual IndieGrl Conference. The packed event was held in the burgeoning artistic mecca known as Martinsville, VA. Martinsville included a windmill, hotel, Sonic, and several liquor stores and bars that Sweet Interference frequented during the event. While the band entered the 3-day event with the best of intentions, they unfortunately may not be welcomed back to Martinsville thanks to the copious amount of alcohol that was consumed.
Despite the minor reputation setback, the band returned to DC and around the same time decided to expand their sound with an additional singer. After several humorous try-outs, they invited Nicole DeMambro (simply known as "Nikki Dee") into the fold. Nikki Dee contributed vocal stylings and keyboards to the second and third Sweet Interference albums.
The two singers represented different ends of the vocal spectrum, with Moira singing a more classical style and Nikki Dee embracing a more contemporary approach. This was often reflected in live shows with Moira dressing in white almost like an angel and Nikki Dee projecting herself as the, "devil on your shoulder," with a much darker and angstier stage presence.
Sweet Interference finished recording "We Never Draw Hearts Anymore" in December of 2008 and released it at The Red & The Black in February 2009. After playing two packed shows to promote their new album, the band was invited to play at one of DC's premier live venues, the Rock & Roll Hotel, in March 2009. The group got their act together, dressed up with a sleek, new (albeit "hipster douche bag") style. The show was a great success and it even opened the door for other venues in DC and surrounding cities like Richmond, VA and Lancaster, PA. With a momentum not previously seen before, Sweet Interference garnered press mentions in publications like DCist, Skratch Magazine and Express Night Out.
During the summer of 2009, Sweet Interference took some time out from their busy schedule to tweak their sound and work on material for a third album. After months of debate about where to take their sound, they decided it was time to make some adjustments. A difficult decision was made to let go of their drummer at the time and to have Chris switch from rhythm guitar to the drum kit, which proved to be extremely effective. Sweet Interference spent the remainder of 2009 playing and recording as a 5-piece.
Sweet Interference chose to use and actual studio for the bulk of the songs on their third album, “The Depths of Loneliness” rather than creating a self recorded project. We chose to use our friend’s studio, System 4, in Rockville, MD for the effort. Upon completion of the long recording process, Mick and Nikki Dee decided to leave the band to focus on other things in life and work that got more important.
Soon after the departures, Sweet Interference found two new band members who both have extensive music knowledge and background to join the group. In January 2010, the band asked Josh Klein and Zach Mast to join. Being multi-instrumentalists, Josh and Zach both add a lot of flexibility and depth to the sound. At shows Josh, Zach and Chris can all be seen changing instruments (while Moira and Alex watch).
Josh and Zach got trial by fire when they were asked to play Sweet Interference’s CD release party for “The Depths of Loneliness” at the Rock and Roll Hotel in February 2010. The band also brought on guest musicians (and now part time members) Aaron Lowenberger and Becky Sach to join the release party.
Moving forward, Sweet Interference continues to create their own brand of indie rock which has frequently been described as “strange and beautiful.” They remain a band that is true to their own sound and are starting to find their own niche in the world of rock.
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