First/Last - Come Holy Spirit

 "The project of Gina Favano with Sam Pace (Gangwish) and Aaron Lindberg (Lungs Face Feet) backing her up. Polyrhythms and semitones bring a non-Western feel to much of this release; Favano's singing often rests between incantation and spiritual. The first several tracks are moody and unresolved, but they give way in the end to the more free-and-easy "Too Many Damn Sticks" and the exuberant "Grand Island." Shades of David Byrne, only less reserved, or maybe art-pop minus most of the pop."  - Andy Mulkerin / Pittsburgh City Paper

Come Holy Spirit is a bombastic psyche folk trio from Pittsburgh who will leave you breathless and wanting much more after you see them kill any stage they perform on. I was lucky enough to catch them for the first time at Ladyfest Pittsburgh, and wow, did they bowl me over. Their sophomore full-length release Grand Island came out last Spring and do yourself a favor and try your best to see them live. I want to thank Gina Favano (Bass/Vocals) for taking the time to participate in this edition of First/Last.

The first album you ever bought?
Michael Jackson's Thriller LP.

Your last album bought?
Well, technically the new Come Holy Spirit, since we funded it ourselves, ha!

Favorite album of all time?
Too, too many to mention. The first one that leaps to mind is 1980's Roky Erickson and the Aliens. It's kick ass start to finish and it does an incredible job of transforming Roky's experience in the mental hospital into timeless rock and roll. That transmogrification, that's one of my favorite aspects about music and one of the hardest to pull off.

Least favorite/most disappointing album?
Anything by Steely Dan. I'll never understand the torch Pittsburgh carries.

First concert attended?
Bowser-era Sha Na Na at the Golden Nugget in Atlantic City. I went with my grandfather and drank virgin strawberry daiquiris all night.

Last concert?
We just got back from tour so I heard live music every night for the past two weeks. I'm going to say G.W. Sok and Action Beat - we were one of the opening bands, but I for sure would have been there anyway. Big fan.

Favorite concert ever?
I've gotten to see some amazing shows - one of the best lineups had to have been the Sun Ra Arkestra and Sonic Youth in Central Park - 1992, I think?

Least favorite concert?
Maybe that same year someone gave me a free ticket to go see Bob Dylan - it was pretty terrible, tons of people on stage and everyone just wanking off.

Favorite thoughts, experiences about Pittsburgh?
Stairs that have street names, the confluence, turkeys in my yard. It’s a nice place to live.

Thanks, Gina. Really, I so loved your set at Ladyfest. It was a special surprise to me and when that happens, it totally reaffirms my desire to go out and continue to see live music.