Deep Talk are an alt/pop duo whose slow burn thumping melancholy transports you to the glowing neon lights of rainy city nights. San Francisco singer-songwriter Christina Li and Portland musician Jordan Maslov’s bright electric guitars and sinuous melodies intertwine on If I Said I Was Changing, their new single, to form music you can lip sync into the mirror when it gets dark. With inspiration ranging from Mitski to Charlotte Brontë to Talking Heads, Deep Talk’s vulnerable lyrics and pulsating indie rock grooves are energetic yet introspective, like not having to choose between chocolate or almond croissants.
By Kamil Bobin
Discovered via Musosoup
Hey Deep Talk, super nice to have the chance to chat with you. What first got you into music?
Jordan: It’s hard to pinpoint. I didn’t get super into music until around when I got my first iPod and realized how fun curating my own collections and discovery was. That spark just kept accelerating.
How do you balance your time in the studio with other commitments such as a part-time job, family, admin?
Christina: it’s really hard to not get burnt out juggling so many different hats. In addition to Deep Talk, I have creative work going on with Scary Little Girls - a feminist art company - as well as community work. I try to get good sleep and good food to stay grounded, but balance is definitely a constant challenge! I think my balance is constantly swerving if that makes sense.
Jordan: Most of our writing is done remotely and asynchronously, so the timing is flexible - any duration at any time. The in person stuff is way harder, since it requires one of us to travel.
Your latest song is 'If I Said I Was Changing'. Can you tell us more about the making of it and if there were any unusual things happening during the process?
Christina: I was so nervous about this song because we really struggled with the tone and genre in the beginning. This song has gone from slow to full arrangements to almost country. I’m really happy with where it landed - solidly grungy but singer-songwriter. Unlike many of our other songs, this one took a while to find its feet.
What is one message you would give to your fans?
Christina: Go to local shows! There’s so many amazing bands in your area and the only way life music happens is with an audience.
What would you be doing right now, if it wasn’t for your music career?
Christina: I think I’d still be in the creative world but another role - maybe as a producer or someone organizing spaces for artists to create together and showcase their work. Community organizers are so important to bridge artists and audiences.
How do you know when a work is finished?
Christina: When the deadline comes! It’s difficult to ever think of something as finished - even now I’m itching to re-record so many of our songs!! I hope most songs are just in temporary iterations to be covered and reinterpreted forever.
Can you write what was your best performance in your career? How do you remember it?
Jordan: Maybe I have a short memory, but our latest show at Dante’s in Portland felt great. They had a superb sound guy, which helps so much.
Do you have a mentor or coach?
Christina: As an artist in general I take a lot of inspiration from Rebecca Mordan, the founder and artistic director of Scary Little Girls. She’s created a great community - nicknamed the Radical Rep - of artists who support each other. As a musician, our label the animal farm has gently guided us to being more engaging with fans and marketing minded, which I appreciate.
Who is your favourite musician?
Christina: I’ve been loving the Beth’s new album - work of legendary art.
Jordan: I just saw Danny Elfman at the Hollywood Bowl. I just saw Danny Elfman at the Hollywood Bowl! I’m gonna be in shock for a while.
What are your plans for the future?
Christina: we’re playing a show at Art House in Berkeley November 19 and releasing a new single in December! I’m hoping to hole up and hibernate in December and January to get finish some in progress songs.