Triple-threat sirens, Au Revoir Simone, know Williamsburg, Brooklyn like they know their beloved keyboards. It’s not surprising these three ladies call one of New York City’s hippest neighborhoods home sweet home, considering its increasing allure of late as a hub to artists, musicians, writers and designers.

Forever fans of “the synth,” Ericka Foster, Annie Hart and Heather D’Angelo could give any new wave band from the 80’s a run for their money. The girl’s onstage setup typically consists of their cornucopia of keyboards and drum machines, lined up like drill sergeants. But with their name even stemming from a quote in cult-classic Pee Wee's Big Adventure, the trio have an undeniably dynamic energy. They’ve been belting out whimsical and heart-driven songs since 2003 which in turn led to their freshman release, Versus of Comfort, Assurances, and Salvation (in 2005), and, more recently, The Bird of Music.

On a Saturday evening, a day after performing at Bowery Ballroom, D’Angelo spoke with psychoPEDIA about the band’s favorite spots in Williamsburg, and why they find it so inspiring:

What are some of your favorite Williamsburg record shops?
There’s Sound Fix – it’s a great CD shop. Another cool spot is Earwax. Yet for musical equipment there’s a store called Main Drag. It has a lot of vintage keyboards, guitar stuff and drum stuff and, well, I’m obviously there for their really great keyboards!

Among the three of you, how many keyboards do you actually own?
I actually don’t own that many because I’m more of the drummer in the band, but the girls own a lot keyboards, yet I don’t know the tally.

What about your favorite local eats….
There’s this Chinese food spot called M Shanghai. There’s also a great burger place called Dumont Burger on Bedford Street and I also really, really like a Mexican place called Bonita. I LOVE Bonita.

Au Revoir Simone has received quite a bit of attention thanks to your original style. Any great local designers?
We actually get sponsored clothing from a lot small Brooklyn and Williamsburg designers. I usually wear this designer called Samantha Pleet on stage, she's my favorite! We also wear Unis, who is actually on the Lower East Side of Manhattan. Unis is a cool sponsor and I just love their clothes– they’re really for tour as well. I’ve been wearing this designer Mary Meyer lately. She’s been gifting us clothes. I really love love her clothes; they’re really comfortable. Samantha’s are really really dressed up, yet Mary Meyer’s very casual and cool. We also wear dresses by Miranda Bennett. And we also wear bracelets and jewelry by Elizabeth Yarborough.

What’s your apartment like?
I’ve only had one. I’ve lived Williamsburg for five years. Ericka actually lived above me. We had a big backyard, everyone in the whole building are friends. It’s a really big, communal, fun building to be in.

When you come back from being on tour, any specific spot you must go to immediately?
This place called Supercore. It’s a Japanese coffee shop on Bedford. It’s just really cozy and the people that work there and own it are incredibly nice. They have really good home cooked Japanese food as well as great chai and coffee of course.

What would you say is only specific to Williamsburg?
I think Williamsburg is all about the people. Williamsburg originally attracted artists and musicians who were looking for a sense of community. I used to really feel that way when I first got there, but now the artists and musicians are moving because they can’t afford to live there anymore. I think a lot of the community is really broken up and now a lot of people are moving for this idea of what maybe it once was. Also, it has strong Hasidic population too. The fashion here is extraordinary. One time I saw this guy with pink leggings, clogs, a fedora and I said, “What!” Very crazy and creative. A lot of painters live here still, the successful ones who can afford to live there or the ones who got in early and have a great deal on rent. If someone was to visit Williamsburg, I’d definitely look up some painters and go to open studio visits. It’s a great opportunity.

Of all Williamsburg’s distinctive cultures, do you have a favorite in terms of cuisine?
The Polish neighborhood, which is right next to and on the edge of Williamsburg. I’m a really big authentic Polish food fan and so I love getting borsch soup and perogies. I love that about Williamsburg.

~Jessica McMenamin

Go There:
Earwax, 218 Bedford Ave. (718) 486-3771

First photo by Nilina via Flickr
Second photo by Lazy Hour via Flickr
Third photo by Wally G via Flickr
Fourth photo, courtesy of ontheinside.info
Fifth photo, courtesy of Au Revoir Simone
Sixth photo, courtesy of M Shanghai Bistro
Seventh photo by Slice via Flickr
Eighth photo by Yun Cee Ng for New York Magazine
Ninth photo by Townbyrd via Flickr
Tenth photo by Alachance via Flickr