Marcy Playground, the band behind the ’90s hit single “Sex and Candy,” is set to play a stellar show tonight downtown at The Roux House. The group, which consists of lead guitar and vocalist John Wozniak, bass player Dylan Keefe and drummer Shlomie Lavie, is prepared to conquer Baton Rouge in a night of musical mayhem for a $10 cover charge. Entertainment writer Cathryn Core recently spoke with Keefe about all things Marcy Playground, including the tour, changes in the music industry and “Sex and Candy.”
The Daily Reveille: How has the music industry changed since you first began playing?
Dylan Keefe: It changes constantly. The most obvious change from our first record is that back then, if you had a hit single, people would buy the entire CD. It was like a commercial for the entire disc. But, fast forward to today, and at the best people will buy the one song or download it for free.
TDR: Marcy Playground has been around for quite a while now. Has your music changed since the ’90s?
DK: Woz [John Wozniak] and I met, and we were set to make this band happen. He’s always had his own sound and influences from a young age that didn’t pertain to what was going on outside. It’s not really directly influenced by the changing of the scene or the music. We decided what we liked back then, and we don’t change for what’s going on now. “Sex and Candy” is a good example. I like to think we’re somewhat timeless. We’re not trying to change as the time changes. We pretty much play stylistically the way we always have. We’re not trying to fit in. We’re not going to change our sound because of what’s popular today.
TDR: You released the hit single “Sex and Candy” back in 1997. How do you feel about the song today?
DK: I feel great about it. I’m glad it happened, glad [Wozniak] wrote it. It could have occurred in any decade. The sound isn’t specifically associated with the sound of the time. They recently played almost the entire song on an episode of “True Blood” at a very pivotal part in the season because it crosses the decades. We like to do that with our music.
TDR: In terms of technology and globalization, what is Marcy Playground doing to keep up with the changing music industry?
DK: Our latest record is a real reflection of the changes. We released a whole bunch of tracks from our latest record to a music consortium and have people from all over the world remixing our songs, like other producers. It’s people we’ve never met. It’s pretty groundbreaking, actually, and very different from our first record.
TDR: How do you feel about playing music in college towns like Baton Rouge?
DK: They are absolutely the best. They truly are. They kind of sneak up on us. We’ll really play just about anywhere, and our best shows are always in college towns. In fact, if it were up to me, we’d just play college towns.
TDR: Why do you think LSU students should attend your show?
DK: I think the majority of people who’ve never seen us live will be pleasantly surprised. I mean, you could stay home and smoke a bowl or come out to our show because you have a hunch or some kind of love for our music. No matter what, you’ll be totally taken aback by what kind of band we are.
 
—-
Contact Cathryn Core at [email protected]