From Party Tricks to Rock Stardom; Meet Steve and Rick, the Sophomores who Play the Wine Glass

Today at the third session of Missions Conference, students were treated to the sounds of Casa del Playa, an avant garde experimental band. The band featured many musicians and sounds, but the real stars of Casa del Playa are Steve Heindle and Rick Flass who play the wine glass. We at the Bells were lucky enough to get an exclusive interview with Heindle and Flass.

Thank you both so much for sitting down with us. I saw your performance at Missions Conference and I was blown away. What inspired such a performance?

Heindle: Thanks. We really spend a lot of time coming up with what sort of feelings we wanted the audience to experience.

Flass: For us music is more than just pleasurable sound, it is sound itself. Is a fork dropping on the ground not music? Is a baby crying not music? I would argue that every sound is a song in itself. Our job as musicians is to collect sounds and create an experience.

That's incredible. Now I've been told that your careers started at a friend's birthday party, is that true?

Heindle: Yes. It all started with Rick saying, "Hey guys, look what I can do with a wine glass." I watched and realized that I could also make sounds with a wine glass. So I joined in and the rest is history.

Who would you say are some of your biggest musical influences?

Flass: Definitely Björk.

Heindle: Yes, Björk for sure. Homogenic is my all time favorite album.

Flass: During our rehearsal process, we would listen to Jóga and All is Full of Love before we picked up our instruments. We also really like Hillsong United.

Thank you guys so much. Is there anything you want your fans to know before we conclude?

Heindle: Casa del Playa is going on tour this summer. We'll be at the Hollywood Bowl in June.

Flass: Yeah come out and see us. We've got a wonderful setlist.