By Audrey JAPburn
Photo Credit: Adly Elewa
Love stories often seem like an oxymoron here in Brooklyn. In the borough of industrial wasteland, it appears the only love its residents have is with rye whiskey and Kurt Vonnegut. Cupid packed up and left New York when the hipsters came, or so I thought. And then I met Tucker and Emily of Total Slacker.
If you haven’t heard of Total Slacker yet, then get on it, my friend. Tucker and Emily, along with their equally adorable drummer Ross, have quickly become the darling of the lo-fi indie rock scene. Playing venues like Shea Stadium, Death by Audio and Vassar College, they have garnered attention from the likes of BrooklynVegan, The New Yorker, Vice and Impose Magazine. Not to be outdone, Total Slacker will be opening for super surf-rock sensation Wavves this Tuesday at Brooklyn Bowl.
I ventured down to Tucker and Emily’s apartment a few nights ago. We noshed on pierogies while we talked about not only their adventures as rising indie rock sweethearts Total Slacker, but also as their time together as one of cutest couples the Brooklyn music scene has seen in a long, long time.
Needless to say, the band is doing peachy. They’re blowing up faster than a can of Diet Coke in the microwave. But the destination isn’t always so important; it really is the journey. Tucker and Emily are beyond adorable, a true Brooklyn love story. They met on a freaky Friday and instantly bonded over matching chapsticks. I’m still meeting boys at bars, attempting to bond over something besides our Maker’s Mark.
“Some of our first dates were shows,” says Tucker. “like The Beets & Thee Oh Sees at Glasslands, Prince Rama at Market Hotel, and Deerhunter & No Age at Brooklyn Bowl. Now we get to play them!”
These two obviously share impeccable taste in music. Psychological studies have suggested a correlation between lifestyles, relationships and musical preferences. If the proof is in the pudding, these two are one big bag of Jell-o snacks.
“When we first started dating, we listened to a lot of Sonic Youth, Weezer, Beach House, Vivian Girls, and The Breeders,” says Tucker. “We still really like them, along with a lot of Nite Jewel and Washed Out.”
Photo Credit: Adly Elewa
Music has been a huge part of their relationship, from the beginning to present. Their first date consisted of cookies, tea, and playing guitar.
“Tucker brought cookies to most of our dates,” says Emily. “He still does.”
She isn’t lying.
“You want one?” asks Tucker, brandishing a box of cranberry-oatmeal cookies.
I laugh, grabbing one. Along with good taste in girls and records, Tucker makes great choices when it comes to cookies. He offers me another one, then leans over and turns up the Miles Davis in the background.
“Oh man, Chick Corea’s far out!” he sits on the ground, next to Emily. “Come here, you’re too far away from me.” Tucker wraps an arm around Emily, kissing her on the forehead. I stuff a pierogi in my mouth to keep from myself from going “awww” for the fifth time. These two are too cute.
Leaving their apartment that night, I couldn’t help but think of that Nick Hornby quote. You know, the one that goes, “It’s no good pretending that any relationship has a future if your record collections disagree violently or if your favorite films wouldn’t even speak to each other if they met at a party.” Emily and Tucker found love sharing music and making music. Obviously, their record collections get along just perfectly. So perhaps, in search of my own Brooklyn love story, I need to ask a boy for his iPod before he asks for my number–because clearly, the perfect Brooklyn romance begins with the perfect soundtrack.
xoxo,
Audrey JAPburn
PS Here are two free MP3s for readers!
Stuck in 93 (new!)
