As mentioned in the intro, I think I’ve been to 10 Fests and maybe 2 Pre-Fests. I’d also guess I’ve seen City Mouse play at 4 or 5 or those.
The band, fronted by Miski Dee Rodriguez, has a changing lineup as well as a changing homebase. Currently rooted in Tampa, just south of Gainesville, we caught up with Miski to chat about new material, favorite Fest memories, songwriting and more.
Scene Point Blank: Give us like a 2 sentence history lesson. When did City Mouse form? How many full-lengths have you released and how many Fests have you played?
Miski Dee Rodriguez: City Mouse is a band I started after moving from L.A. to Lexington, KY around 2001. I since then have moved back to L.A., Lansing, MI and now Tampa, FL, where I am currently living. I haven't had a regular lineup for many years but often have some of the same players when they're available. I have only the one full-length and that kind of bums me out! I have so many songs I wish I could put out already. I'm gonna GUESS I've played around 8 or 9 Fests? I can't quite recall but I think I played Fest 11 or 12 and have only missed one since.
Scene Point Blank: The band put out a 7" last year, but it's been a few years since the last LP. My impression based on how tight the songwriting is, is that you really hone your craft. Is that an accurate observation (or maybe you're just really busy with other things in your personal life)? I guess I'm asking: are you a "slow or meticulous writer"?
Miski Dee Rodriguez: Yes and no. I need to be completely in love with songs for them to come to fruition. I'm currently mostly done with a new LP now though! Money is the only real reason it has been so terribly long between the albums. The band fund is just my bank account and I have to pay rent on my own and eat and whatnot.
Scene Point Blank: What is your writing approach? Do albums come together over time, or are you more of a session writer where you isolate and see what happens and go with that?
Miski Dee Rodriguez: I get bits of lyrics and melody at the most random times so I take a lot of voice notes until things really start to come together. Once the song starts to fill out in my head, I kind of feel on edge until I can get it out of my system. That's when I'll sit down with pen and paper and just let everything out. Songs are what I've used to express and release all of my feelings for years now. Basic melody mostly happens automatically around the pentameter and emotion of what I'm saying, then I just kind of clean everything up before it's ready for a band arrangement.
Scene Point Blank: If I had to summarize it, I'd call City Mouse strong music. It's confident and empowering, while still being relatable and about struggle. Is that a conscious decision, or is that just what comes out?
Miski Dee Rodriguez: Thank you! Those descriptors are very affirming because those are the emotions I am mostly trying to express. The songs are very much me just working through my own struggles and trying to make sense of life. They're basically my therapy so I would definitely say the lyrical content, at least, is an unconscious decision while I do make a conscious effort to really reflect the emotion in the music.
Scene Point Blank: While confidence is not necessarily a correlation with outspokenness, I get the impression from stage demeanor (I may be wrong) that you are relatively introverted. In other words, the music feels extremely loud but as a speaker you come across as quiet to me. First, is that accurate? Second, have you always been comfortable on stage and putting yourself in the spotlight?
Miski Dee Rodriguez: I'd say my particular kind of social anxiety is the biggest factor here. I will 50/50 either shy out or become class clown when I get too nervous or excited. I'm still pretty nervous before every show but once I start playing I feel more in my skin. The crowd has a lot to do with that. I feel really empowered by their warmth and energy and they can really be the difference between a good show and an unforgettable one.
Scene Point Blank: The first person lyrics and somewhat revolving lineup of City Mouse puts the spotlight on you. Do you have any stories to highlight how others have helped shape City Mouse as the band stands today?
Miski Dee Rodriguez: I have a lot of gratitude for all of my "enablers"! They have afforded me many opportunities to travel all over the world and play some amazing shows. This record I'm working on now is probably the most in-depth collaboration I've ever done musically and I'm already incredibly proud of everyone's hard work and commitment. I truly lucked out with this crew on that.
Scene Point Blank: Did you ever take singing lessons? Do you lose your voice when touring or playing nightly?
Miski Dee Rodriguez: No, but I'd love to take some! I used to lose my voice a lot and just force every last squeak out to finish tours but I've learned a lot of tips and tricks over the years to prevent that (and the nodes I developed from that). I do vocal warm-ups all day every day during tour and I am very aware of what I need to recuperate depending on how I feel. I also can't sing if I'm tired or I will completely kill off my voice for days so I make sure I account for that.
Scene Point Blank: Who is your favorite guitar player, past or present?
Miski Dee Rodriguez: J Mascis hands down, with many many many runner-ups!
Scene Point Blank: Did you play Fest 19? If so, any stories? While Fests can blur together over time, last year was pretty unique in many ways.
Miski Dee Rodriguez: I did! It was an absolute mental health rescue to be on that Boca Backyard stage. I was practically screaming with joy all weekend to see so many homies from all over the country that I've missed so much, since touring had shut down for so long.
Scene Point Blank: How active has the band been through COVID times? Have you played unique outdoor shows or had many new experiences? Even if you laid low and answer no to the previous questions, [I’m sure] it left an impression.
Miski Dee Rodriguez: No unique outdoor shows, but I did gain a new skillset [in] figuring out streaming and getting set up to record at home or anywhere. I've really advanced my output potential and I demoed and arranged this whole new record with folks remotely until it was time to record.
Scene Point Blank: Earlier I asked how many Fests you've played. Have you played Gainesville much on non-Fest tours? Any takeaways about how the city hits you on non-Fest dates?
Miski Dee Rodriguez: It is definitely a different town during the non-Festy times but there is still a pretty active music scene. I've only played three shows there and only in the last two years: one solo set and two full band. I don't think I could fathom going to 8 Seconds or Downtown Fats during non-Festy times but everywhere else stays pretty cool!
Scene Point Blank: I want to close with a few "lightning round" Fest questions. In other words, this may be via email, but just answer off the cuff without too much thought:
Miski Dee Rodriguez: Word!
Scene Point Blank: What is your favorite band you've discovered at a previous Fest?
Miski Dee Rodriguez: Oooh maybe tie between Bad Waitress or Partial Traces.
Scene Point Blank: What is your favorite Fest venue to see a show?
Miski Dee Rodriguez: That depends! I love a gritty show at a smaller packed venue (at least I did pre-covid), like Loosey's or Dirty Nelly's (or ...Clean? Nelly's? now?...the name escapes). But I also love chillin’ on the green at Bo Diddley.
Scene Point Blank: Would you rather play on Friday or Sunday?
Miski Dee Rodriguez: FRIDAY PLEASE. It's so hard to keep my voice in shape through two whole days of squealing with joy!
Scene Point Blank: Who is your favorite band, ever, from Gainesville or Florida?
Miski Dee Rodriguez: Radon! I actually discovered them in high school while living in California. Some friends who moved to Florida made me a mixtape of music they picked up at shows.
Scene Point Blank: What band are you most looking forward to seeing at Fest 20?
Miski Dee Rodriguez: Meat Wave!
