Clint Asay Says "Leave New York City, and Head to Clint, Michigan"

Welcome to Clint, Michigan, population: four sorta-gay multi-talented musicians. CM, helmed by former Isotoners front man Clint Asay, features Amy Bezunartea (vocals, banjo), Pinky Weitzman (viola, stroh, vocals), and Mason Brown (accordion, mandolin, vocals). Their strumming away on a debut record, but you can visit them every Tuesday at Mo Pitkins. (Psst-That's the bar owned by funny-man Jimmy Fallon.) Each week, a different guest accompanist will add to the band's rich and simple sound, creating music so powerful it might even drive a straight person gay. We gabbed away with Clint Asay, to get the skinny on his new band and new town.

MR: Why move away from the ironic camp pop of Isotoners into the serious and lyrical CM sound?
CA: I was always interested in moving in that direction. I got scared of getting trapped in that genre of camp, where it becomes hard to be taken serious in a music setting.

MR:The gayness of the Isotoners was pretty apparent, how gay is CM?
CA: I don't know if there is a huge gay factor; except I am very gay. Pinky and Mason seem a bit gay at times. Amy is sorta gay. Actually, she turned lesbian after joining the band.

MR:She went gay? That's some powerful tunes!
CA:We've been able to really feel the music we do without any gimmicks or theatrics. When I see a show, it is apparent if the performer is connecting to their music and the words. That is the kind of show that moves me. That is the kind of show we try to put on.

MR:Keeping a residency fresh is a challenge; will your special guests be a solution to that problem?
CA:For sure, it makes these shows unique for the audience; and makes it enjoyable for us having our friends around and putting on a great show.

MR:There really is a Clint, Michigan; it's not just a play on Flint, Michigan?
CA:It started out as a play on Flint but it turns out to exist. But in my little world, Clint, Michigan would be a lesbian folk singing capital. All lesbians and me, and one gay lumberjack type man. Maybe two.

Clint, Michigan at Mo Pitkins, every Tuesday in May, 8pm, 34 Ave A, 212-777-5660, mopitkins.com.