Sendaero Pop Up

Sendaero were a country-tinged indiepop group from Huntington Beach who received a lot of attention during their alltoo- brief existence somewhere in the middle ‘00s. Led by a female vocalist and featuring instrumentation that included banjos and lap-steel guitars, the quintet had a sound more akin to Texas than Orange County, which might have been why those who heard the band liked them so damn much.

Then they disappeared.

After intense research that included all of one phone call to an Orange offi ce building, I found guitarist Ryan Clark and asked him where in the hell his band went. I also asked him to divulge how he happened to date— and later marry and procreate with—Sendaero singer Carole McCarty, but neither he nor she wanted to touch that question.

OC Weekly: What have you been doing since the breakup?

Ryan Clark: Turning into responsible adults and going to bed at 8 p.m. I play in a band dedicated to sandwiches called the Hoagies, and Carole sings Biggie’s hits to the baby.

When did the band break up and why?

Ryan: It has probably been around fi ve years. We were hoping an early breakup would lead to a glorious reunion at Coachella

2015.

Rumor has it there’s a new member in the family. Please explain in specific detail how this happened and why.

Carole McCarty Clark: Babies are still a mystery to us. We are not sure how it happened exactly, but we’re pretty sure we could do it again if need be. As to why, this is to be determined as well. She is the greatest thing we have collaborated on to date—even greater than our kick-ass dog that can shake hands.

Carole, since you were on our cover in 2005, do you now put “model” on your résumé?

Carole: I am far too humble to call myself a model, but do not let that stop you or anyone else from referring to me as such.

What’s worse: Dealing with drummers or changing diapers?

Ryan: I am sure you can put together some kind of joke about the smell or excessive ointment use.

If I offered you $20, could you play one of your songs right now?

Ryan: That would be more money than we were ever paid to play, so why not?

Do you ever play your music as lullabies?

Ryan: At a certain point, you come to realize that a good portion of the music you listen to can never be played in front of a child.

What happened to that guitar with the word “Sendaero” on the fretboard?

Ryan: Sticker is still intact. It is sitting next to the guitar I won off KNAC in junior high. Squire is the Ferrari of Fenders.

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