Why You Should Listen to Me...part one.

Remember when I blogged about Phantogram? You should have got behind that. Look at this mess.

Interpol Summers Well: Touring With U2, Headlining Some Additional Shows

photo credit: Cary Whitt

In a day and age where most music is over-processed and auto-tune runs rampant, it is refreshing to find a band that can translate in live performance what is heard on their albums. Rare, even. Perhaps that is one of the things most impressive about the band Interpol.

The first time I heard them, twelve hours were spent in the car to arrive at the nearest venue. What happened on that stage was nothing short of amazing. The band captured in live performance the dark, brooding tone of their music. Their cohesive nature was most impressive- the vibe between each player, the obvious connection that exists- and is what makes this band a must-see.

On Monday, July 18th, Interpol will be at the House of Blues in Cleveland. If you're in the Cleveland area, get there. No excuses. This show will not disappoint. If you have to drive six hours, it's worth it. Promise.

I had the opportunity to sit down with Daniel Kessler of Interpol to talk a little bit about the band's current tour with U2, their new album, and beer?Cheers!

AP: Daniel, you're really the catalyst for this band. Can you tell me how you met the other guys and realized you wanted to play with them?

DK: I was at university for the most part, and I had already done a demo where I played all the instruments myself besides the drums, and from that experience I think it was rewarding, but I knew that I wanted to collaborate a bit more with people, and hear other people's perspectives to the songs I had been working on and so forth and try to create something that you didn't know what the final output would be from the beginning, so I think that put me on the search.

So, when I was towards the end of my university years I was a bit on the prowl and I kind of just came across everyone, or at least Paul and Carlos from classes and I just approached them and started conversation and it was a bit more kind of searching for people, it was more about their sensibility and less about how well they could play their instruments. You know, someone else could have an interesting approach to writing songs and forming a band...I met Sam a few years later, after we parted with our original drummer and we were friends already and when we had an opening and were in search he was the only person I called. And we had one rehearsal and he became Interpol's drummer.

AP: That's pretty cool! And here you guys are now, touring with U2. How did you feel about that when the opportunity arose?

DK: You know, we didn't overthink it. They asked us while we were still mixing our record and we didn't have anything planned at that point in time. You know, we've played many, many shows at this point, so we thought, well, okay, why not? There's nothing like playing to your own audience, and we have the best fans ever, but maybe something is good to go out and play in an entirely new environment, from a performer's standpoint. You know something that is completely out of your comfort level, but not to make a big deal out of it. You know, we've played countless festivals at this point in time, and you're playing to large numbers of people who are not necessarily there to see you, so it didn't feel different than that anyhow. So it was just something a bit different to do.

AP: What made you decide to add tour dates where you would be headlining?

DK: It just made sense, we had the time and the space with the way they organized their tour and we had the days and we just wanted to fill them.

AP: How did you pick the bands who would join you on the tour?

DK: Through democracy! It is difficult on a tour like this one because it's not our own tour, so we only have pockets of dates like you're seeing, so it makes it difficult to find people. School of Seven Bells we've toured with on two complete North America tours. They're a tremendous band and great friends of ours, so that was easy. And Soft Moon is a band that we all love.

AP: Which has been your favorite venue that you've played on this tour so far?

DK: We just played Mexico, there's really no place like playing Mexico for our band. We played Mexico City and that was probably our largest show to date and just really crazy and enthusiastic. The scene was really exciting and we have great, wonderful fans down there.

AP: I remember reading somewhere that you're a vegetarian. Any truth to that.

DK: There's some truth to that.

AP: Do you have any difficulty accommodating your lifestyle while touring?

DK: Well, I've had a good ten years of practice, so it's pretty easy.

AP: Let's switch gears and talk a little bit about the albums. The latest you released was self-titled. Was this done as a way of reintroducing yourselves?

DK: I don't think so. I think we were trying to just step forward and do something a bit different and not predictable. Usually people name their first record self-titled. It was just a conversation we had while writing the record and it was kind of like the most interesting thing we could do, we've already had really long titles, like Turn On The Bright Lights and Our Love to Admire, so it just felt like this album was a very full album, it kind of felt very much like an Interpol record, and the music should just speak for itself.

AP: You recorded the record with Carlos and he's left since to pursue other projects. You've been touring as a trio with a temp bassist. Is there any chance you are going to fill in that position or are you going to maintain the trio status?

DK: I don't know right now. We've been playing with a great bass player and good friend of mine, Brad Truax ,he's formidable. It's just been a lot of fun. We're also playing with Brandon Curtis who's in the band the Secret Machines, a tremendous keyboardist and vocalist. I think we're just having a good time playing these songs live right now and we'll figure out how we plan the next phase once we get up the road, which is kind of the way we always do things.

AP: Do you think your approach to playing guitar has changed throughout your discography?

DK: It's hard to say. It's hard for me to say, truthfully. I realize I'm not objective in this. I don't try to do things with the full intention of “let's do something different”, but I think as you progress in doing anything at the very least, like for your sake, you want to try to go new places and expand upon that. So I would say, probably, yes.

AP: From where do you draw inspiration?

DK: I think I just have a deep need to write music and I really enjoy it. It's something I try to do every day, I can't do it every day, but I like to see if I have something, like an idea in the morning. And film, I use film sometimes as bit of a catalyst to get the process rolling.

AP: How do you guys approach the writing process as a band?

DK: Usually the songs begin with me, and I'll show them to the guys and if they're into them we start expanding upon them and Paul will start singing while we're writing the song, but really the last thing to get finalized while we're writing would be the vocals.

AP: So do you usually write the lyrics, too?

DK: No no no no! I usually just come up with the genesis of the idea, the basic sort of progression, if you will. Some of the changes. Paul writes all the vocals and lyrics.

AP: What current music are you listening to?

DK: I really love the new Battles record, I think that's great, I'm pretty much wearing that one out. I like a lot of the James Blake EPs quite a bit, too.

AP: I see on your Twitter that there are a lot of tweets about great world beers. Are you planning on checking out Great Lakes Brewing Company while you're here?

DK: If there's time, I will definitely take that in, if you recommend that.

AP: Yeah. Definitely! Best beer in the state.

DK: Okay, sweet. Definitely check that out then.

Bad Day Blues & Some Beautiful Tunes...

Watch "The Avett Brothers - Head Full Of Doubt/Road Full Of Promise" on YouTube

It happens. We all get frazzled and have bad days. Today is mine. However, at the end of the day, when faced with something so beautiful and simplistic as the Avett Brothers' music, I cannot remain mopey.

This song is quite great. You know what else is great? A LOT.

I have two exciting interviews to post for you. Some show reviews. Some album reviews. Some fun things to win. (Round 2!)

It's exciting, this life. Each day is not perfect, but hey, isn't it the challenges that make the end results so much more rewarding?

Sometimes, I really am lucky...

Entered a little contest last week or so. You had to say who inspired you to do what you're doing. I chose to write about my I'm doing this music journalism thing and thank the band that inspired that choice: Interpol.

Turns out, the folks at The Vinyl District dug that answer. I won a copy of Flogging Molly's latest album.

ON VINYL.
My ears say yuuuuum.

6.13.11

I've been putting off this blog. The review of the Foster the People show. Don't get me wrong...FTP was amazing. There was this crazy drum beat-laden dance fest that happened. The crowd was enthused. The vocal prowess of Mark is undeniable.

I just really didn't like that they didn't spend time with the crowd. It really wasn't cool to see them escorted to and fro. I mean, this is your first at home show and you're not interacting?

I saw Automatic Loveletter a few years back at the Agora and they mingled with their fans. They're not even from Cleveland. I just kind of found that disheartening.

To me, it was like saying, "Look, I think we're too big to hang with you now." Just not cool, dudes.

Everything else, save for the opening band with the bag of flutes which reeeeeally freaked me out, was rad.

I'll always support FTP, I'd just like to see them be a little more interactive next time.

6.10.11

Pop Rocks given out at the door. $5 ticket. Yes, sir. Local music from Attack Cat, the Modern Electric, the Hearts, Lunavelis and visitors from NC, IAmDynamite.
Here's some thoughts:
Lunavelis: Comprised of Christopher Feran and Madeline Healey, Lunavelis is a cutesy duo that opened with an acoustic set. A little guitar, a little vocals, and a hand shaker! These kids had nice harmonies, and GREAT lyrics. What was it... "I will love you until the sun sets on our graves, even then I'll sleep by your side". Yeah. Adorable. It was also nice to hear a band that was articulate. Props! Their harmonies reminded me of early 1997, prior to the ever-changing female vocalists.
This is the music of young love. Only qualms with them? They ditched out during the second or third band. Don't dine & ditch, kiddos. You gotta be respectful!
The Hearts: 3 piece band, comprised of set, guitar, synth/keys. First thoughts...this is a LIGHTS SHOW?! Their beats are sick. Steve (vocalist) has that typical, emo vocal sound. It's hard to believe that him and Dyson (guitarist) used to be involved in hardcore and rock music...
These guys are decked out in some nice hipster duds: wicker hat? Black glasses? Chucks?
Their sound reminds me of a less dark Panic at the Disco (the first album, anyhow). This is DANCE POP. Are you moving yet? Even I was, and I surely do not busta move.
Talking to Steve post-set, I learned they drawn inspiration from Jimmy Eats World, Lights, Paper Route, Third Eye Blind, Julianna Theory and all the original emo guys.
Hard to believe drummer, Jesse, has only been with them 6 months. They sound pretty solid.
Look for a cover of Katy Perry's ET from these guys in the future. (Boo, KP!)
IAmDynamite: I really wanted to hate this band...good God, track suit? Bow ties with shorts? SWEAT BANDS?! Buuuuut, the beat is irresistible. I can't hate a distorted mike either. Just can't.
These guys have got the crowd moving. Don't judge this book by its cover! The singer has some serious pipes (even if he lacks fashion sense) and they put out a ton of energy.
This is what happens with frat guys pick up instruments. Am I am extra in a teen movie? Seriously, did they just cover "Walk like an Egyptian"? Well, they're pretty good at whistling. I'll give them that.
Bottom line: nostalgic + heavy guitar + throbbing drums = good time
The Modern Electric: The aesthetic is what truly makes this band unique. The feeling of home, from the lights to their dense chords...love it all.
These cats draw all kinds of fans: hipsters, kids, parents, guys in suits. That is admirable.
I absolutely LOVE the soul that oozes out of Garrett's voice. The way every piece of this band is woven together- no matter WHO is playing WHAT. These guys are versatile and their musicality should inspire.
Seriously, even with technical difficulties (broken string on the bass, guitar strap coming loose) these guys kept it together and delivered.
Rad.
Attack Cat: 2 piece band, featuring guitar, keys/synth and some prerecorded beats. Dave (former drummer of Relient K) sings with his nose on the mike. How endearing. Who knew a drummer could sing? Their harmonies are mellow.
Are you driving cross country this summer? Pop them in. They're definitely more rock driven then some of the other groups.
Loving their vocal timbres...they blend perfectly.

Slacker.

As in the radio. I think it's the single best thing to happen to my phone. Great music all the time? A Lolla radio station? Some obscure bands?
Dig, dig & more dig.