In a town bursting with side-projects, it can sometimes be hard to keep up with all the musical configurations flying around. Nevertheless, Shitzo, a project of Hank guitarist Teddy Lerch, has been a worthwhile find. Forgoing Hank’s hyperkinetic math-punk for a sound reliant on textures and sustained tones, Vinegar is an appealing trip through dub, noise, and 80s synth textures, resulting in an early highlight for the year. I sat down [virtually] with Teddy this past weekend for a short interview.
Smile Politely: In five words or less, how would you define Shitzo?
Teddy Lerch: Lo-Fi psychedelic noise for dogs.
SP: How long has the project existed? Is this strictly a solo thing, or are you collaborating with other people?
Lerch: The idea of Shitzo has been around for about a year, but I didn’t start making any music until October, when my first show was. And as far as collaboration goes, I plan on working with multiple musicians. This upcoming show, I’m collaborating with Markie Glassgow from Panel Van / Last Legs.
SP: Do you feel there are similarities to Hank in your music? Do you consciously try to differentiate Shitzo from your other projects?
Lerch: I feel that the style difference between Hank and Shitzo is too big to worry about sounding similar. I mostly play keyboard for Shitzo, and that already affects the chords and timbre of what it’ll sound like.
SP: How long did it take you to record the album? What formats are you releasing it on?
Lerch: It took me about a week and a half to record everything. One of the songs, I recorded for my first performance, so it’s hard to come up with an exact time. I’m putting out the EP on tape and most likely putting it up online somewhere.
SP: How do you go about making the jump from studio project to playing live? Has that process affected the music you’re making?
Lerch: When I record, I play everything myself and layer it. But when I play live, there’s only so much I can do at once. This is when collaborating is necessary! This affects the music drastically because whoever I’m playing with isn’t trying to mimic my original parts; they’re putting their own twist/stank on the song(s.)
SP: If you could play a show with any artist (past/present), who would it be and why?
Lerch: Right now I’d have to say My Bloody Valentine. They’ve been a big influence to me and my music. Plus, their new album is slick.
Shitzo perfoms tonight (February 15) at Mike & Molly’s, with Lightfoils and Wicked Walls. Doors are at 8 p.m. and cover is $7.