You, You’re Awesome, (@youyoureawesome) aka the Electronic duo of Yusef Quotah and Kevin Bayer, is in the middle of a string of shows throughout the country. They’re headlining the May 13th opening of Radiodown, along with Pop Empire, Kasvarov, the Mighty and Banderas. Yusef recently talked to Each Note Secure’s MaryKate Moran about various shows and projects.

ENS – How was Minneapolis? That’s one of the first non-festival shows You, You’re Awesome has played outside the Tri-State, right?

YYA – Yeah, and it was really awesome. I’m sure that people in Minneapolis might disagree with me, but it felt like a cross between Cincinnati and Canada. They have a music scene there that really supports each other. Bands are made of members from other bands, kind of how it is here. We had a pretty good crowd because the two bands that played before us have a big local fan base. It was a great reception, which was nice since neither Kevin nor I had been there before.

ENS – But why is it like Canada?

YYA – Because everybody’s really fucking nice!

ENS – You stopped at Mars Cheese Castle on your way back, so I need to know how that went.

YYA – Ha! Honestly, awesome. When you come up to it it’s kind of seedy, maybe like what you’d think one of those adult film stores on the side of the highway would be like, but inside it’s more amazing than Jungle Jims.

ENS – What about playing with Pop Empire tomorrow?

YYA - I haven’t seen them yet. We first really met Cameron [Cochran] when he was playing with Lion’s Rampant at the Cincinnati Entertainment Awards last year. He told us about a project he was working on, this half-Electronic, half-Rock deal. And the music scene here, when you’re in a band you help each other out. Cameron’s just a really nice dude and I’m excited for a chance to finally see them play.

ENS - Can you talk about the music video you and Kevin are working on for Frightened Rabbit?

YYA – Initially, Ben [Davis, of Bad Veins] talked to them when they were touring together and looking for someone to shoot a video. So he said ‘I know some people in Cincinnati who can handle that’ and he called us. But of course I couldn’t just do a quick video—I get all these ideas of cool stuff to do that’ll take a while. But they were only in town for one day, so I went with an option that’ll allow for us to have as much time as we need. That’s probably all I should say about it.

I’m doing a remix for them too; I just started going through the stems today. Plus, I’m halfway done with a new Answering Machine remix, and almost done with a Bad Veins remix.

ENS – Is there any band or artist you’d really like to remix?

YYA – I’m honestly blanking on that right now, but as far as musicians to work with—a lot of electronic bands have used her, so it wouldn’t be entirely new, but if Sharon Jones would want to do something—we’d let Sharon Jones do whatever she wants!

Radiodown is at 602 Scott Street in Covington, right by the Mad Hatter. Thursday’s show is at 8pm. $5. And of course, ENS presents Pomegranates, The Seedy Seeds, No No Knots, Enlou and Walk the Moon the next day, Saturday, May 15. $7.

interview by MaryKate Moran – @marykate_moran