It’s the night of Hurricane Sandy in Toronto and I have to repeat my question for Milo Greene’s Robbie Arnett a few times because the wireless service over the phone keeps cutting out. I hear music in the background — it sounds like a piano — as he tells me what he ordered at the restaurant. Pad Thai, mildly spicy, with lemon and water. Delicious. The indie folk band drove straight from Montreal in their van, and is now relaxing before their show at Toronto’s Horseshoe Tavern in a couple hours.

Robbie is one of four vocalists, none of whom are actually named Milo, in the Los Angeles quintet. Milo Greene was the fictional identity of their British booking agent who “represented” them through their college years. They don’t need his services anymore and are currently playing shows across North America. They recently released a self-titled debut album that includes the track “1957″ and completed a short film named Moddison, which is the name of a track on their album. Over the phone, Robbie tells me all about pre-show jitters, guilty music pleasures and nearly driving off a cliff at the Grand Canyon.

First, some mood music. Listen to “1957.” 

What are you up to right now? 

I’m over at Rivoli’s, which is a bar right next to Horseshoe Tavern. We’re just getting some food and enjoying Monday night football before the show.

Do you get nervous before performing?

It’s more of a nervous energy. It doesn’t matter if we’re playing in front of five people or 500, I just get a little anxious. Once I get up there settle into it I get a little more relaxed.

You just played The Bowery Ballroom a few days ago. Looks like you narrowly missed Hurricane Sandy in New York. 

It’s kind of scary. Our manager is in Boston with his girlfriend and they were supposed to fly back to LA this morning but he’s not able to fly back for a few days. Everything’s locked down but we kind of escaped some madness.

Any plans for tomorrow in Toronto?  Read more…