Today I am pleased to offer a first in my “get to know your blogger” feature. I’ve interviewed the brothers that run Audio For Driking, Josh and Jason in the first ever double feature. I’ve been reading their site for quite some time, and I’m really happy and excited that both of them could take the time to answer my questions. Please check out their site and enjoy the interview below.

Let’s get some general background on you. Where do you live, how long, etc.

Josh: Jason and I grew up in Rhode Island. We’re identical twins who, after completing high school, decided to get as far away apart from each other as possible. He went to Colorado and I to Syracuse. Currently, I reside in Brooklyn where I’ve been for almost six years now. I work in documentary film nowadays but did video work at the Knitting Factory some years ago. Jason’s had much more experience in the music industry though.

Jason: In Colorado, I helped start the university’s new radio station while also writing for several music magazines. I rode the coattails of that success to New York, working in radio promo and publicity. A few years ago I was sitting in the offices of Matador before an interview and said to myself if I didn’t get the job, I’d walk out on the music industry. Now I’m back in Denver, living a soul-deadening life in a cubicle.

I want get an idea of your musical taste evolution if you will. What were some of the first albums/tapes/CD’s you bought?

Josh: Well, I remember in junior high really being into some club music (Dee-Lite and KLF mostly) as well as Beastie Boys and A Tribe Called Quest (the first time I spent my own money on music was a “I Left My Wallet in El Segundo maxi-single). In high school this guy Jon Newkirk turned me onto The Ramones and I myself really got into Bob Mould, The Pixies, Mercury Rev and Violent Femmes. We used to get a CD for every A on our report card. Jay cleaned house with that deal.

Jason: Our parents gave us a record player pretty early on with records from the Beach Boys and Monkees. Then I listened to a lot of rap. By high school I was all over the place listening to De La Soul, Bad Religion, Suede and the Posies.

How about some of the more recent CD’s you’ve purchased?

Josh: I finally got the Thelonious Monk/John Coltrane album as well as the most recent Mew import. I also purchased the Mr. & Mrs. Smith soundtrack album which has a wonderful remix by our friend Mocean Worker as well as Air Supply. Both very good. The Clearlake album Amber and Tom Waits Blood Money.

Jason: The limited edition of the Belle and Sebastian, which has great packaging. I rescued a copy of the Squid & Whale soundtrack from the used bin and have also picked up Diplo’s Fabriclive mix and the Mylo “Doctor Pressure single. My best friend Andy actually just sent me the Love Is All record for my birthday and I’ve probably listened to that the most.

Where do you buy the majority of your records? Do you support a particular record store in your area, buy online, and if so, where?

Josh: I’ve become addicted to buying everything online. It’s so much easier and I’m a notorious cost-shopper. Truthfully, I really haven’t ever felt comfortable buying records in store. I’m afraid of being judged by the girl from the record store that the whole nation is in love with.

Jason: I’m fortunate that one of the best independents is in Denver, namely Twist & Shout Records.

When I started listening to music, there were certain musicians that led me in the path of a lot of other bands. Did you have any similar experiences with bands growing up?

Josh: As I mentioned earlier, The Ramones were a big part of what I listen to now. Also I’d have to say my father’s love for The Who (allegedly my first spoken words were “Who are you, who-who.” I get all of my karaoke skills from my mom though- I do a killer Foreigner. I’d also want to add Greg Dulli, my friend Rob Troccolo and Allie, the very attractive assistant librarian at our high school to this list.

Jason: Ah, Allie. Little did she know the monster she released by sharing her record collection. I’ve always said pop fans can be traced back to either loving the Beach Boys or the Beatles. I come from the school of the former. Otherwise, radio exposed me to so many bands at once; I can’t say there were really any gateway artists in my life.

What are some of your favorite records of all time?

Josh: This is one of those pick 5 questions, huh? Elliott Smith’s either/or, BF5’s Ben Folds Five, Joseph Arthur’s Come to Where I’m From, Joe Henderson In Japan, and of course I never travel far without a little Big Star.

Jason: Teenage Fanclub’s Thirteen, Jesus & Mary Chain’s Darklands, Sebadoh’s Bakesale, Colossal Youth by the Young Marble Giants, Julius Caesar by Smog, the Mountain Goats Sweden, Pet Sounds of course and Zombie Heaven, the Zombies box set that may be the best collection ever made. And while I still feel guilty admitting it, I’d toss in If You’re Feeling Sinister.

Any idea how many albums are in your collection?

Josh: I’ve digitized 12,019 songs as of today and I still have 500 or so more albums to go. I’m waiting for the drive to crash. I’m knocking on wood.

Jason: I have over 3,500 albums. I spent two months cataloging them once. Despite having a music blog, I’m pretty lazy about digitalizing. I’m waiting for the day a woman moves in and tells me it’s the record collection or her.

If you could spend time with 3 musicians, who would you choose?

Josh: First I’m going to predict that Jay says Lou Barlow. I’ll say Joe Strummer, Bob Mould and Jennifer Charles from Elysian Fields.

Jason: He’s singing songs about his cat these days. How exciting could it really be? John Darnielle is the given. He seems like the best conversationalist and the nicest guy. Robert Wratten at the onset of Trembling Blue Stars and maybe Dominique from Ivy…just to give her my number. You never know, right?

I’m sure you’ve seen some great concerts. Can you tell me what the first concert you saw was and when? To follow that up, are there any particular shows that stand out in terms of being favorites?

Josh: Oh boy. I think it was Bell-Biv-Devoe with Monie Love and Keith Sweat or Johnny Gill. We came home smelling like pot except I don’t think I knew what pot was at the time and I’m sure my mom freaked out. My favorites were Nina Simone at the Barbican in London. A Firewater show here in NYC as well as Ween. Wow, there really are so many. Seeing Mercury Rev at Irving Plaza after All is Dream came out. We had seen them after Deserter’s Songs and somehow between those albums they developed a huge stage presence. Oh, and Jay and I probably saw a half dozen great They Might Be Giants shows in Providence growing up.

Jason: Some friends once snuck me into a Jawbreaker/Jawbox show when I was underage. That was pretty influential. The best show I’ve ever seen was Spiritualized. I was probably the only sober person in the room and somehow it’s still stayed with me. The second time I saw Smog. My ex was there and he played “Choosen One” and I thought I was gonna unravel.

What are some bands that you haven’t gotten the chance to see live, but would really like to?

Josh: I’ve seen Jonathan Richman live but I’d really would have liked to have seen The Modern Lovers live. Precise Modern Lovers Order is perhaps my favorite live album ever. I think I’d also like to see Portishead.

Jason: Young Marble Giants, Hefner, the Field Mice, the Toy Dolls and the Kinks. Also, the Softies. I booked a showcase with them once, but then I had to leave the state on business the day of the show and was devastated.

How did you choose the name of your blog?

Jason: My college radio show was named Arguments for Drinking after a phenomenal album by an under-looked band named Long River Train. I tended to play a lot lovelorn pop and so it suited the show. It’s just a progression from that.

Can you tell me what got you into blogging, and are you surprised by the popularity your blog has attained?

Josh: I think I really wanted to do this site for Jay whom I thought had a nagging absence in his life since walking away from the music industry. I really don’t know anyone who knows more bands or has more stories about his life with music. Oh, and to meet girls. But that hasn’t happened yet. I was thinking about have a Valentines Day contest but unfortunately I see a hundred dudes in ironic t-shirts writing to me why I should take them to see Rob Dickinson.

Jason: It was really hard leaving something that you’re good at and, of course, something that you love. I’ve always wanted to share music with people because it’s had such a big impact of my life. I usually associate popularity with the blogs that have successfully built a hype machine. With A4D, it’s just like “here’s what I like and what I know about it. Maybe you’ll like it too.”

What are some of your favorite blogs? Music or otherwise.

Josh: I love the Aquarium Drunkard for being so down to earth and mixing things up with his music selection. Plus he posted the first Josh Rouse Bedroom Classics EP which I’ll always be indebted for. I also dig the Muzzle, Brooklyn Vegan for local news and updates, Copy, Right for abetting my cover song addiction and Hello Gina for being so fond of American Modernist poetry.

Jason: Fluxblog, Large Hearted Boy, Chromewaves, Stereogum, Productshop NYC and Music for Robots were the first ones I read and thus they carry the weight of innovation for me. They’re my morning coffee. My second generation includes blogs like Aquarium, GvsB, Muzzle, MOKB, and So Much Silence and they’re become my lunch break. If anyone knows about any good video game blogs, they should let me know!

How important do you think music blogs are in general? Do you think they will continue to be as popular as they are today?

Josh: They really are the new A&R aren’t they? Jay, you’re the professional-

Jason: I always think about how independent music once tried to do all the things the majors did and had some success. But then the Internet gave those smaller labels and artists a chance to find their fans. Now you see major labels emulating what those people have been doing. Record labels are even sending blogs records to give away, so I’d say the industry is deeming them important right now. What makes it great is that anyone can make one and there are so many different opinions out there. Still, you have to be worried when saturation seems to be the undoing of anything.

Let’s get away from music for a bit. What are some of your favorite movies and television shows?

Josh: Jay and I used to stay up late watching artsy and wonderful British films like …if, O Lucky Man and the President’s Analyst. Personally I’m a big fan of Lost Highway, Koyanisqatsi, The Big Lebowski and Apocalypse Now. Television if good sometimes too. Lately I’ll watch just about anything in HD. There’s this channel that plays nothing but IMAX movies all day.

Jason: I’m a Netflix addict and watch a lot of movies. Kicking and Screaming is probably my favorite movie of all time. I’m so far removed from my first year out of college and my old friends and that movie still resonates with me somehow. I am a huge fan of Hal Hartley and Whit Stillman films as well. I don’t have cable and I only watch Smallville and Veronica Mars regularly.

Outside of music do you have any other interests or projects?

Josh: I have my mixtapes project developing over at Loud Monkey Music as well a website I set up for my friend that has a wildly comic take on baseball cards. Outside of those I enjoy fantasy baseball leagues, cooking and mildly insane woman who won’t date me.

Jason: I play far more video games than I should admit. I’ve been engrossed in World of Warcraft for the last year. I finally got the head of Onxyia last night. I am such a dork.

A lot of people have a favorite concert t-shirt, do you have one?

Josh: I sadly had to retire it last year but it was a yellow Yo La Tengo t-shirt with Vince Lombardi on it.

Jason: I had a Velvet Crush “Teenage Symphonies to God” tee that when it was in tatters, I cut it up and pinned it onto a jacket. That’s pretty punk rock for a pop band I guess.

In your opinion, what’s the best place to eat in your city?

Josh: The private dining room in the sub-basement of Mr. Tang’s in Chinatown, although I first thought we were going to get shot when they took us outside the restaurant into a back alley and down a dark set of stairs.

Jason: While I should probably note the great Mexican food out here, I admit my favorite place is the Hapa Sushi Grill & Sake Bar. They have this sushi called a Tootsie Roll with eel, cucumber, sweet soy and cream cheese. I could live off that.

Animals dressed as humans. Funny or not?

Josh: Are you Gary Larson?

Jason: “Totally not vegan.”