We had the opportunity to sit down with our friend Diego Garcia following his performance at Clift last Friday to talk about his recent West Coast tour and what it’s like playing at more non-traditional venues.

Thanks so much for spending some time with us today. We heard you just played at the newly refurbished First Unitarian Church in Los Angeles last night. What was it like being the first one to play in such a unique space?

It was like any other show until I walked in for sound check and was struck by lightning! haha!

But seriously making music in the church with the sun beaming though the stain glass windows was quite an experience. And then of course the acoustics were very nice- a perfect place for my sound given the wooden instruments used in my live show. Being the first band to play the space was also a cool experience in that the church was “virgin.”

That sounds like a really unique experience. (and we’re glad you didn’t get struck by lightning) How does the energy and crowd differ in a place like that from a show at Clift or other traditional music venue?

Well the crowd in the church was seated and sober while at Clift it was all a bit sexier. People were dancing and having a good time, but what hit me is just how similar traditional venues and churches are. There are back stages in churches that even dwarf many of the back stages in more traditional rock clubs. Priests are entertainers win their own way where vanity is very important. They were the first pop stars but with a different kind of “groupie.”

Haha, we never really thought of it that way. So we took a look at your current tour schedule it looks like you are playing some really unique non-traditional venues- ie churches, hotels, city winery in New York. Do you tend to gravitate towards those spaces or is it just a coincidence?

It feels very natural at this point in my career to play more non-traditional spaces. I mean with Elefant I played every club in the country and that does not turn me on so much anymore. I also find hotels are an incredible platform to meet new fans who maybe would have never ventured out to a dingy indie club. It all makes sense. In fact I look forward to exploring this idea even more with you guys.

Well we like the sound of that! Speaking of sound your style is really unique. Where do you draw your inspiration from?

I was inspired by heartache, Manhattan, the south of France in the 60’s, capri, Argentina, and of course my Laura. All very special ingredients that could only produce this sound of mine.

For more on Diego Garcia visit him on Facebook