01Profile
A Choir Boy Photo
Choir Boy
Musician — Utah
03Interview
Photo by Karen Judith Davis
Name, where are you from?
My name is Adam Klopp. I grew up in Cleveland, Ohio and I currently live in Salt Lake City, Utah.
Describe your style in three words?
Casual, cartoon, villain.
What’s the best gig you’ve ever been to?
I don't really have a favourite gig of all time. My favourite so far this year was Young Guv, Spiritual Cramp, Gamma World, & Bobo here in Salt Lake. It was a special bill of pop popes and rock and roll. Everyone's set was amazing.
If you could be on the line up with any two bands in history?
Kate Bush and China Crisis. They are two of my favourites and biggest influences I will most likely never see.
Which Subcultures have influenced you?
Punk/DIY. When I was 13 my friends and I went to a punk fest put on by some local Cleveland bands in a historic one-room schoolhouse. We were already going to shows and playing music, but it was my first time going to something that was put on by the bands without promoters or a conventional venue. It was really inspiring to me. I often attribute my involvement in music and a DIY community to that fest. One of the local bands that played (The Sidekicks) became a long time favourite of mine and are still active today.
If you could spend an hour with anyone from history?
King Tut. He became the king when he was 9 and was married to his sister. I think I could learn a lot from him in an hour.
Of all the venues you’ve been to, which is your favourite?
My favourite venue is Now That's Class in Cleveland, OH. It’s an anything goes dive bar that's been host to some of the wildest and most memorable shows I've played and attended.
Your greatest unsung hero or heroine in music?
Lowlife. I think they're one of the most overlooked bands of all time. I see a lot of bands of a similar style and era getting serious retroactive acclaim, but somehow they're still missed. Craig Lorenston's lyrics and vocals are simple and expressive in a way I wish I could achieve.
Prominent figures on Salt Lake City's underground music and art scene, Choir Boy have drawn comparisons to artists as diverse as Scott Walker, Kate Bush, Talk Talk and Bryan Ferry with their mix of experimental aesthetic and '80s electro-influenced sound. Choir Boy's second album 'Gathering Swans' was released on 8th May 2020 via DAIS.
Visit choirboy.bandcamp.com for more.
02Playlist
04Playlist Notes
The first track you played on repeat?
'There She Goes' by The La’s. I'm not sure I actually had the resources to play it on repeat at the time, but I was obsessed with that song as a little kid. The ascending melody is still floating around in my head.
A song that defines the teenage you?
'Why I Cry' by Magnetic Fields. I was a moody lovesick teenager much like everyone else. I loved this song and still do!
One record you would keep forever?
'Bouncing off the Satellites' by B-52s. I got into this record during a major transitional phase of my life so it's become quite special to me! It was also my gateway to B-52s fandom.
A song lyric that has inspired you?
“Hang loose, have some juice”
From 'Friend' by Tommy Mandel. I never would have thought to do either of those things otherwise.
A song you wished you had written?
'Tinseltown in the Rain' by Blue Nile. In my opinion, this is one of the best pop songs ever written.
Best song to turn up loud?
'IPC' by Light Asylum. This song is number one because it's a protest song for the dance floor. I get a serious adrenaline rush when the chorus hits.
Runner up goes to The Nerves - 'Hanging on the Telephone'.
A song people wouldn’t expect you to like?
'Private Show' by Black Marble. Unexpected because of how much I hate Chris Stewart. He makes great songs though.
The song to get you straight on the dance floor?
'It’s So Easy' by Valerie Dore. Beautiful Italo disco you can bop and sway to with your lover.
Best song to end an all-nighter?
'Hey, Who Really Cares?' by Linda Perhacs. This could be a peaceful soundtrack to bring you back to earth.
Any new bands you are into at the moment?
Riki, Private World and True Body.
03Interview
Photo by Karen Judith Davis
Name, where are you from?
My name is Adam Klopp. I grew up in Cleveland, Ohio and I currently live in Salt Lake City, Utah.
Describe your style in three words?
Casual, cartoon, villain.
What’s the best gig you’ve ever been to?
I don't really have a favourite gig of all time. My favourite so far this year was Young Guv, Spiritual Cramp, Gamma World, & Bobo here in Salt Lake. It was a special bill of pop popes and rock and roll. Everyone's set was amazing.
If you could be on the line up with any two bands in history?
Kate Bush and China Crisis. They are two of my favourites and biggest influences I will most likely never see.
Which Subcultures have influenced you?
Punk/DIY. When I was 13 my friends and I went to a punk fest put on by some local Cleveland bands in a historic one-room schoolhouse. We were already going to shows and playing music, but it was my first time going to something that was put on by the bands without promoters or a conventional venue. It was really inspiring to me. I often attribute my involvement in music and a DIY community to that fest. One of the local bands that played (The Sidekicks) became a long time favourite of mine and are still active today.
If you could spend an hour with anyone from history?
King Tut. He became the king when he was 9 and was married to his sister. I think I could learn a lot from him in an hour.
Of all the venues you’ve been to, which is your favourite?
My favourite venue is Now That's Class in Cleveland, OH. It’s an anything goes dive bar that's been host to some of the wildest and most memorable shows I've played and attended.
Your greatest unsung hero or heroine in music?
Lowlife. I think they're one of the most overlooked bands of all time. I see a lot of bands of a similar style and era getting serious retroactive acclaim, but somehow they're still missed. Craig Lorenston's lyrics and vocals are simple and expressive in a way I wish I could achieve.
Prominent figures on Salt Lake City's underground music and art scene, Choir Boy have drawn comparisons to artists as diverse as Scott Walker, Kate Bush, Talk Talk and Bryan Ferry with their mix of experimental aesthetic and '80s electro-influenced sound. Choir Boy's second album 'Gathering Swans' was released on 8th May 2020 via DAIS.
Visit choirboy.bandcamp.com for more.
04Playlist Notes
The first track you played on repeat?
'There She Goes' by The La’s. I'm not sure I actually had the resources to play it on repeat at the time, but I was obsessed with that song as a little kid. The ascending melody is still floating around in my head.
A song that defines the teenage you?
'Why I Cry' by Magnetic Fields. I was a moody lovesick teenager much like everyone else. I loved this song and still do!
One record you would keep forever?
'Bouncing off the Satellites' by B-52s. I got into this record during a major transitional phase of my life so it's become quite special to me! It was also my gateway to B-52s fandom.
A song lyric that has inspired you?
“Hang loose, have some juice”
From 'Friend' by Tommy Mandel. I never would have thought to do either of those things otherwise.
A song you wished you had written?
'Tinseltown in the Rain' by Blue Nile. In my opinion, this is one of the best pop songs ever written.
Best song to turn up loud?
'IPC' by Light Asylum. This song is number one because it's a protest song for the dance floor. I get a serious adrenaline rush when the chorus hits.
Runner up goes to The Nerves - 'Hanging on the Telephone'.
A song people wouldn’t expect you to like?
'Private Show' by Black Marble. Unexpected because of how much I hate Chris Stewart. He makes great songs though.
The song to get you straight on the dance floor?
'It’s So Easy' by Valerie Dore. Beautiful Italo disco you can bop and sway to with your lover.
Best song to end an all-nighter?
'Hey, Who Really Cares?' by Linda Perhacs. This could be a peaceful soundtrack to bring you back to earth.
Any new bands you are into at the moment?
Riki, Private World and True Body.
Choir Boy | Sweet Candy (2020)
Choir Boy | Complainer (2020)
Choir Boy | Toxic Eye (2020)
Choir Boy | Night Like This (2019)