Based out of Des Moines, MAIDS is a collaborative project between electronic producer and composer Mickey Davis (aka Is Home Is) and Danny Heggen, of the folk act Seedlings. You can catch them this Friday at Gabe’s along with openers Crystal City and Baraan.
Together, the duo make downbeat and thoughtful songs, with Mickey’s production work wrapping around Danny’s melancholic and soulful lyrics like a warm blanket.
Mickey and Danny decided to answer a few questions so that you can get to know these two cuties before their upcoming show. What’s more, the duo just released a video (shown below) for their new single, “Bandits,” via Under the Gun.
1. Bands you’re listening to now?
Mickey: At the moment, I’m way way way obsessed with Blood Orange and his frequent collaborator who performs under the name Starchild. Also really digging this producer named RAC, and rediscovering my love for Sade.
Danny: Blood Orange (because Mickey), Beach House, The National, Vampire Weekend, Empire of the Sun, Innocence Mission (one of my all time faves).
2. Bands you were listening to in high school?
Mickey: As ‘not hip’ as it sounds, Incubus will always and forever be my favorite band, so I was certainly listening to a lot of them. High school is also when I discovered Sigur Ros and got really into the Brit Rock invasion around the time of Bloc Party, but mainly because of how cute their lead singer is.
Danny: Goodness… Dashboard Confessional still makes its way onto my phone from time to time. Coldplay (Rush of Blood to the Head), Foo Fighters, anything pop-punk.
3. Favorite pizza topping?
Mickey: [I’m] super duper lactose intolerant, so pizza isn’t my jam, but Danny and I have gotten into the habit of going to a local cafe after practice and ordering this incredible tofu banh mi that they make. We call it “tofu banh MAIDS.” So I guess my favorite pizza topping is a tofu banh mi sandwich, hold the pizza.
Danny: I made an obvious move after graduating college with an English degree; I delivered pizzas. Though I had the world at my fingertips, I decided sausage and black olive shall forever be king. Taco is pretty ok, too.
4. Upcoming show you’re most looking forward to?
Mickey: Besides our IC show, we’re playing with Har Mar Superstar in April. So stoked for that sweaty, out of shape man to throw the dance party of the century.
Danny: Mickey was like, “Do you want to open for this dude (Har Mar Superstar),” and showed me a picture. It was an obvious choice.
5. Plans for the next year?
Mickey: Keep throwing dance parties, hopefully take over the world, continue writing love letters to the lead singer of Bloc Party.
Danny: Work on staying up past 2 a.m., keep writing and meet everyone (in the world).
Check out the music video for MAIDS’ new single, “Bandits.”
http://youtu.be/DHAPjpe584g
