Big Ups talk Star Trek, memes, and interpersonal confidence
Catch the New York-based group Big Ups tonight at the Masquerade.
Photo credit: Adam Kolovny
The Brooklyn band counts Slint as a major influence, but this is undoubtedly a punk record, albeit a moody one. Everything down to its sound, aesthetic, and lyrical content screams rebellion and discontent.
Big Ups' bass player, Carlos Salguero Jr., was kind enough to answer some (personal) questions for us.
What is something you’ve been really into recently that you would recommend to people, and why?
Running. Before you sigh and roll your eyes — which is totally OK, I get it. I'm with you. I'm not gonna go on about endorphins and that bullshit — this is just something that helped me get through a tough emotional trough this year. Even though I truly sucked at the beginning and only suck a little less now, it was about the only thing that afforded me any time out of my own head and made me feel good about myself even if it was for only 20 minutes and it made me want to throw up after. I guess I would recommend any physical activity that gets your heart rate above normal for a sustained period of time. Read into that what you want.
Similarly, what’s something you’re super into that other people don’t seem to care much about? (Please say cemeteries.)
Cemeteries are cool. I live right next to Greenwood Cemetery and it's one of the most beautiful places to take a stroll in Brooklyn. Other than cemeteries, I've been watching a lot of "Star Trek: The Next Generation" recently. I know there's a lot of people into Trek out there, but I don't often run into them. I didn't get it when I was younger — not enough action and explosions! But now I find myself just cruising through episodes because I love getting to know the characters and their quirks and foibles and how the writers decide to tackle issues of morality and ethics. It can also be way funnier than you would think.
Do you like memes? I hate memes with a passion, which is odd, given how silly I tend to be. That being said, I love the Nihilist Memes page on Facebook — those speak to the existentially depressed soul within me.
I love memes. As a more socially insular kid back in the day, memes from 4chan/reddit/shit like this were a way to find out if possible friends were as into my brand of humor as I was. I would expound on how memes and their consumption and meaning have changed and become boring and pedantic. If it brings people together, that's all for the better. I'm really into the @dasharez0ne these days.
What type of personality are you most attracted to?
Usually the quieter, self-kept person in the room who will laugh at the wrong time.
Do you have any dreams? Do you think you’ll ever reach them?
I dreamt that I landed a heelflip last night. I think by the end of this tour I will reach that dream.
Do you like thinking about all the places you’ll never be able to visit? If so, where do you really want to visit?
I would really like to be able to visit Mars, but I would settle for space/low earth orbit. I don't think that's even unattainable in our lifetime with the huge advances being made by smart people/companies today. Whether it will be actually financially feasible for people who do music is a different story.
Do you keep people at a distance? If so, why?
Not really; what's the point? If you want someone in your life, have them in it or don't.
If you could give your childhood self some advice, what would it be?
1. Don't over think it; most of the time people don't care.
2. Always be nice — you never know what people are going through.
If you were going to declutter your life, what would you get rid of first?
Paper paystubs/bank statements. I don't need those reminders.
What’s something you’ve lost that you’ve never been able to find?
True fluency in Spanish. It was my first language. I can still understand it well and stitch together a sentence when needed, but I don't think I'll ever find a pure way to express myself in Spanish without thinking like when I was a kid.
Are you a fool for love? Any kind of love. (But especially romantic love.)
Yes, but I'm trying to be less foolish about it.
Were you ever shy or awkward? How did you get over it?
Yes to both. For me, you don't get over it — the feeling is always there — but what does happen is that you get better at making an effort to put yourself out there and beat back all the terrible thoughts of what you think will happen if you speak up. I worked for a while as bellman at a fancy hotel and I had to say 'Hi' and smile and make small talk with every single guest who came in. Very quickly, that repetition, even if it was fake or disingenuous at times, really broke me into just talking to people without expectations or thinking about my neuroses because I would just be burnt out if I did that for nine hours straight. Further, I realized most of the time adults are just as shy and awkward and weird as I was and that most people, shy and awkward people alike, do like talking and engaging, but just don't want to be the first to do so because of bad experiences of being judged before.
Do you consider yourself confident? How did you get there?
Akin to the previous question, I believe confidence is contextual and comes from practice — it's learned. Sure, there are some of those 'naturals' who seem good at everything, but I think it's just as much of a front for those people as well. Confidence is knowing that you know what you can do — I can dice this onion perfectly, I can nail this solo, I will own you at pinball — but watch me try to set up a tent or try to play basketball, then the story changes.