Flippin Our Shades At By Surprise's Rob Wilcox

I loved Rob when he was a Y-Rock DJ and production assistant for World Cafe on NPR. He recently moved to New York to work for a music and entertainment agency called The Syndicate, where he hangs out with bands/artists/record labels all day and helps get their music on the airwaves. When he's not helping other bands, he's playing guitar and singing in his own band called By Surprise, who recently released their first LP, "Mountain Smashers." Here's the video for their song, "$600 Exorcism."

Helllloooooo, kitty.

Rob took a break from all that jazz to answer some questions:

SK: What's your idea of a perfect date?
Spending time with someone where it's either really quiet or really loud. There's benefits to both, depending on where you go!

SK: What do most guys do wrong when they're out with a girl?
I think that you can easily overthink things and come across as fake if you're not confident. The more you worry, the more she'll catch on.

SK: What's the worst thing a girl can do on a date?
The usual things: Bringing up an ex-guy-thing can always make things awkward. Looking at your cell phone constantly. Having a Negative Nancy personality or saying mean shit about other people. Those are usually bad signs.

SK: Tell us a secret!
I always part my hair to the right.

SK: Where's the most romantic place in Philly?
At one point it was the old South Street Bridge where they had these cool observation platforms that were secluded from the roadway. It was a nice place to relax that was off the beaten path. These days, when it's nice out, walking around Swann Fountain is always enjoyable. And, of course, Rittenhouse Square Park.

SK: What do you like most about Philly girls?
I've always found Philly girls to have a very casual but quirky fashion sense. I've always been attracted to that. Philly girls are also much more dedicated to having a strong sense of community and tend to take pride in their neighborhood. I guess you might find that up here too, but it usually only applies to girls that live in Brooklyn.

SK: What would you put on a mixtape for a girl that you liked?
See, the thing with making a mix for a special girl is that I like to get a feel for who they are (and in some case, who "we" are) before I put one together. I like my song choices to have either hidden or obvious meanings. Here's a handful of songs I've relied on in the past to convey "I Like You":

1. Rainer Maria - "Automatic Beauty"
2. Paul Westerberg - "Dyslexic Heart"
3. It's a King Thing - "Hangin' Out"
4. The Weakerthans - "The Reasons"
5. Ramona Cordova - "Hot and Heavy Harmony"
6. The Halo Benders - "Inbread Heart"
7. The Promise Ring - "Make Me A Mixtape"
8. Sonic Youth - "Incinerate"
9. The Zombies - "The Way I Feel Inside"
10. The Smiths - "Ask"

You had me at NPR, but I think I'd melt faster than a gelato in a heatwave if that tape ever made it into my little hands. Check out Rob's band By Surprise when you get a minute. You'll thank me later!