Emily Savill Photography

 

 

 

I first met Emily Ann Siegrist of Whats Her Face in 2017 at a Halloween party at Lancaster Art Studios, which

is now Station One Center for the Arts. They played an amazing set, donning their Halloween

costumes as characters from Twin Peaks.  We wound up talking because my fiance and I were also dressed

as characters from Twin Peaks. Him as Bob, I as body-bagged Laura Palmer. I loved the enthusiasm

and energy that they poured into their music. You could truly feel the passion as they performed their song

"Log Lady". Their Twin Peaks looks were very fitting with their music. I could picture a scene in an episode, 

filled with their synth sound, with something strange and beautiful perusing across the screen. 

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This time I met them at their recording and practice space; Arvin's basement. It was packed with gear, 

instruments, and a Pittsburgh potty.  Whats Her Face was working on recording and mixing a track for their 

upcoming album, Future Brains. Some band members have changed out since I first met them, but that

energy, passion and wonderful synth-rock sound was still strong. Seeing the behind the scenes work was

fascinating. The set up of the mixing board made me reminiscent of The Wizard of Oz; large panels full of

mysterious knobs and buttons with their producer Weaver at the helm. Cables and cords running

everywhere. 

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I spoke with Emily Ann Siegrist, the bands vocalist, about Whats Her Face, their influences, and the Lancaster

music scene. 

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Weird in Lancaster: How long have you lived in lancaster/are you originally from lancaster?

Emily Ann Siegrist: I grew up here and have been in and out of Lancaster throughout my life. Arvin was born and raised Lancaster, Johnny also but now lives in greater Philly area. Clint is from York but now lives in Lancaster.

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WL: When did you get into music?

EAS: From inside the womb, cassette tapes were awesome and so were walkmins...I've gotta add my Gramps's and Dad's old vinyls as well.

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WL: How and when did Whats Her Face get together?

EAS: It started out with Arvin and I on my bedroom floor playing Casio keyboards and bass then slowly progressed from there. It's taken us almost 5 years to get to where we are now as far as our ideas and goals.

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WL: Is Whats Her Face your first band?

EAS: No I was part of a project called The Similars in Bethlehem PA and another comedy/music project here in Lancaster called Puppet Hawk with my good friend Dave Seyfried.

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WL: What is it you like about performing?

EAS: It's a platform to introduce people to our weirdism...and depending on the atmosphere and crowd it can feel really awesome.

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WL: What is your songwriting and recording process like?

EAS: Songwriting takes years and years for me based off of my strangest darkest dreams and poems. When something lights up, I'll get the urge to play my synth and I will come up with a simple melody that will hook up with some of the poem and go from there….

 

WL: How can people find your music or get in contact about booking?

EAS:  Hit us up on Facebook or Instagram

 

WL: Do you have good support from your family and friends?

EAS: YES it's always so awesome seeing our friends support us at shows etc..and it's definitely a treat if and when our family members come out 😁❤️
 

WL: What are some of your influences?

EAS:  So many different sounds and types with each of us individually but I've been most inspired by Radiohead, Black Moth Super Rainbow, Gary Numan (old stuff) , Prince, Talking Heads, Metric, The Octopus Project , Rubblebucket, Battles, Mars Volta, Sunny day Real Estate and so much more I can't even name it all.

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WL: What is it about David Lynch that you connect with? 

EAS:  It's the atmosphere he puts off in a lot of his films… I call it a “Lynch vibe” if I'm in a weird place or see something that feels odd I'll say “this is lynched out or I'm getting the Lynch vibe”

 

WL: Do you make music full time?

EAS: No, I wish we could though.

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WL: What are some of your favourite venues you’ve played?

EAS: Kaliedescope, Kung Fu Neck tie, The depot, Station One Center for the Arts.

 

WL: How would you describe the Lancaster music scene?

EAS: Unique is what I would have to say right off the bat.

 

WL: What do you do/listen to/watch when your trying to gain inspiration?

EAS: Nothing really… I just get ideas when I get ideas.

 

WL: What has been your best experience performing so far?

EAS: I'd have to say with it being Arvin, Johnny, Clint and I together it's the best 😁👍👽

 

WL: Has being a musician been what you expected?

EAS: I've never expected this but it feels good to spread my form of weirdness out there in the way that I've always wanted ❤️

 

WL: What are your plans for Whats Her Face in the future?

EAS: We'd like to get this new record out there and continue to play more shows in and out of the area.

 

WL: What advice would you give to someone wanting to seriously start a band?

EAS: If you wanna do it then do it👍 don't doubt the fact at all.

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WL: What is your favourite Whats Her Face song?

EAS: We love playing Future Brains ❤️👽

 

WL: What’s your favourite weird place in lancaster?

EAS:  Anything that seems lynched out.

 

WL: Is it hard to balance schedule with your band mates?

EAS:  Sometimes it can be but we always seem to agree on one day out of the week to get together.

 

WL: What motivates you?

EAS: Sunny days and positive daily flows.

 

WL: What’s your favourite way to express yourself?

EAS: MUSIC!

 

WL: Which Twin Peaks character are you?

EAS: Log Lady.

 

WL: Can you tell us about the next song or album you’re working on?

EAS: Yes! We're almost done with our E.P! Excited to share it soon 👍👽

 

WL: How would you describe Whats Her Face’s style?

EAS: People tend to call it synthrock because of the fact that there is no guitar. Just 2 synthesizers bass and drums. We just call it “our shit”  The songs that we enjoy creating and playing together 😁👍

 

WL: Is there a meaning behind the song “Scanners”?

EAS: Yes there is. That song is based off of a really scary nightmare I had and one of my favorite movies melted together.

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WL: What would you like people to think of when they think of What’s Her Face?

EAS: A unique local band that doesn't use the traditional band format? I guess lol

 

WL: What does weird mean to you?

EAS: Weird=unique and standing out.

 

WL: Are you ever afraid to express yourself? If so, how do you find confidence?

EAS: I get nervous about singing the most but I just force myself to go with the flow and once I'm in the flow I feel things  more strongly and am able to gain more confidence.

 

WL: How has lancaster changed since you’ve been here?

EAS: It's been changing A LOT. I feel like the art and music scene has evolved and continues ...it moves up and down like a roller coaster but it's awesome.

 

WL: What would you like to see more of in Lancaster?

EAS: More DIY venues similar to Kaliedescope.

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WL: Do you have any favourite local artists?

EAS:  I respect all local artists I can't pick favorites, that's one of the reasons why I've been doing open mics/variety show for so many years.

 

WL: I noticed that Arvin is a talented painter, and I'm sure the rest of you have great skills in other areas, so what are some of your other talents?

EAS: Arvin Paints and is also a photographer. Clint is a DIY enthusiast with all sorts of projects ... Johnny is a really good cook! I love putting together events like the variety show and things like that.

 

WL: Who would you nominate for a Weird in Lancaster shoot?

EAS: I would have to say Kearasten Jordan. She's a local woman who is absolutely hilarious and so freaking awesome.

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You can listen and purchase Whats Her Face's music on BandCamp.

Make sure you also follow them on Instagram and Facebook to keep up with progress on their new album and to see where they will be performing! 

You can also follow each band member individually:

Emily Ann Siegrist - Vocals/Synth - @mlesiegrist

Arvin Alston - Bass - @wizard_arvin

Johnny Tyson - Drums - @johnny.tyson

Clinton Wilson - Synth - @floodface.exe

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