Inspired by classic girl groups, power pop, and the baroque genius of Brian Wilson, the Los Angeles trio Tchotchke plays the kind of rock and roll that has persevered through the decades for a reason. Their new album, Playin’ Dumb, which functions as both a record and an actual board game, is a masterclass in timeless pop thrills. The record was produced by the equally masterful retro pop band The Lemon Twigs; we asked the band (Anastasia Sanchez, Eva Chambers, and Emily Tooraen) about that process, the name of the record, and the kind of songwriters they have been inspired by lately. Read it—and listen to Playin’ Dumb—below.

Tell us about “Poor Girl.” We can’t get that one out of our head. 

Emily: “Poor Girl” was immensely fun to create together; it was a long process of finding the perfect poor girl characters each equipped with their own pitiful, self-inflicted woes within the space of one verse each. A bluesy, Beach Boys element was also something we wanted to feature on the album. Building their individual worlds from the verse stories was made possible with the music video we did. We were each able to play our own poor girl (casting was easy!) and pulled out all of the creative stops to bring them to life. We think of the poor girls as our villainous alter egos … Putting on the blonde wig with foils and smearing mascara under my eyes to be Cryin’ Chrissy really put me in a headspace I’d never been in before!

How did you link up with The Lemon Twigs? What was the experience like recording in Long Island? Did you hit any good local spots in between rocking?

Anastasia: Eva and I met them when we were teenagers before their debut record had come out. We would hang out with them when they would come to LA to record, and I started dating Brian a few years later in 2018. Recording in Long Island was a fever dream. We spent a couple of months at their parent’s house recording in the basement and snacking on goldfish and beer. When we weren’t tracking music, we would go thrifting or watch movies. Our favorite place to shop was (and still is) Rosie’s Vintage in Huntington.

Speaking of New York, what’s your favorite part about living in NYC? Least favorite?

Anastasia: There is such a strong sense of community. Unlike the competitiveness we felt in LA, the music scene here feels more collaborative. Everyone is just doing their best to make it work and the overflowing support we’ve had here is incredible—when someone says they’re coming to your show, they actually do! The worst part is by far how expensive it is. The subway is about to be raised to $3 a ride! 

Emily: The pace and the constant well of inspiration are both admirable aspects of NYC for me. Every day is wildly different; I love walking outside and being surprised without even seeking it out. Not to mention how many different points of view there are! I’m grateful to have lived here and had my perspective on life expanded so much. I would also second Anastasia in that the music community feels rather inclusive and genuine here, in our experience. My least favorite part might be the grinding aspect … The work, the noise. It wears on you sometimes so it’s important to take breaks and care for yourself. 

Playin’ Dumb: Where does that album title come from? What does it mean to you?

Eva: The title ties together the album’s themes of humor, sarcasm, and the board game itself. As an all-female band, it also reflects our experience of being underestimated, dismissed, or not taken seriously. We wanted the album to feel cheeky and deliberately unserious—a playful pushback.

Two of you played in a band before Tchotchke. What did you learn in that band that you are now applying to this project?

Eva: Anastasia and I have stuck through about four different bands together over the past decade. Our previous projects were full of life lessons. We learned a lot about the importance of who you choose to work with, so we instantly knew Emily was the perfect fit the very first time we ever played together! Consistent communication is definitely the best way to stay aligned with your creative partners and ensure you all have one common goal. There is no way a band can survive without it. Balancing a tripod friendship and business relationship isn’t always easy, so we even started doing “tcheck-ins” at the beginning of rehearsals to make sure everyone is feeling good. 

Anastasia: Patience!

Who is a contemporary songwriter that is inspiring you right now and why?

Anastasia: Dagger Polyester! Such a dynamic range, an incredible voice and magnetic stage presence. The bitch is a star!

How about a songwriter from a past decade?

Emily: I was recently made aware of Lotti Golden by Meg Remy of U.S. Girls … Lotti is an incredible songwriter who debuted in the late 60s. I saw her perform earlier this year and loved hearing about her experiences of growing up in Brooklyn when it was still “swampy” and how it was for her to be a female songwriter and guitarist in that era. 

What is the last great chorus you heard?

Eva: All of Julie Brown’s choruses. 

Photo Credit: Taryn Segal