"In 2002, (noted house music DJ and production legend) Felix da Housecat walked into a bar I was working at with his hangers on and told me that 'House of Jealous Lovers' was such a big song that I would be able to quit my job there. I thought he was crazy, but he was right!" Being the lead singer of prototypical post-punk revivalists The Rapture hasn't always been quite that easy for Luke Jenner. Songs like 2002's "House of Jealous Lovers" and funky, piano house driven single "How Deep is Your Love" seemingly belie the story of the hardscrabble quest of an indie band marching to stardom.
Equal parts CBGB and Studio 54, the band's disco house melodies and garage punk blend and create a sonorous four on the floor party. Living history preserved for the next generation, The Rapture's effortless essence of the no rules, open source dance party hits U Street Music Hall on Sunday, September 25th. As expected, it's one of the hottest tickets in town.
"In England, our song 'Echoes' (from their 2003 released first full length album of the same name)was used as a TV theme (for EP network programme Misfits), and people go absolutely wild when they hear it. It's an amazing experience to see something like that," says Jenner, still not providing any clues that he or the band lead anything less than a charmed life. However, the process of getting the band from the studio to international ears has proven to be the band's most difficult and disjointed journey.
"We've always gone from labels that are close knit communities to having a lack of community." 2006 album Pieces of the People We Love gave the band "big label deals with expense accounts and giant studio budgets, but no sense of community" at Universal Records. 2011's Phillipe Zdar produced and DFA Records released In the Grace of Your Love hearkens back to their turn of the 21st century roots, "working with people like (label owners) James Murphy and Tim Goldsworthy we've always respected and were so influential in our careers."
When asked about his favorite song on the new album, Jenner seemed pleasantly incredulous and insightful into the unique process for The Rapture's fourth album."I can't choose a favorite! It's like choosing my favorite child. I will say that (indie rockers Phoenix's producer) Philippe Zdar is one of the most patient producers I've ever worked with." Jenner continues, "there's usually a point in the recording process where the producer gets angry and scraps everything. It's the creative moment when the band comes together and the album gets made. We came to Philippe with some ideas, and he kept everything, worked with them, and helped focus us to put out a great album. It may not be our best work, but I can definitely say it's the most enjoyable album we've ever done."
Gone from the group is bassist Mattie Safer, which appeared in conversation to be bittersweet but not unexpected loss. "Jenner says, "At various points we've been a trio and a quartet. Mattie absolutely wants to be a songwriter, and we support that. Working in a trio makes the recording process a lot tighter, and having one less voice makes you work a little bit harder at formulating ideas that become songs."
Safer's roots in Silver Spring, MD are intriguing, as the band has a pronounced attachment to the DC area. "I read a ton of books, and honestly, Nirvana was a major influence on all of us back then, as were bands like Fugazi. Those guys (Nirvana) would have "FUGAZI" written on their Converse, so you couldn't avoid their importance."
When asked if past Fugazi, did the Nation's Capital influence The Rapture, the answer was voluminous. "Wow. Well, we're now touring with Harris (Klahr) who was in (local indie legend post-punk band ) Q and Not U as a bassist, which is amazing, as we always enjoyed their work. Mattie (Safer) was from Silver Spring, and I always remember when we'd hang out at his house where he grew up, and you'd see all of the Straight Edge and DC punk posters on his wall. I grew up on the west coast and as a punk and hardcore kid, and you always knew that DC was the coolest city."
Playing DC is an unusual departure for the band. "When it came to playing the DC area, we always would just stick to playing (Baltimore venue) the Ottobar. We have such significant DC roots that we didn't want to be judged by them. However, we decided that it was time for a change, and we're really looking forward to it."
Previously in BYT interviews:
- 5/18: INTERVIEW: Jasmine Solano
- 5/18: Interview: Richard Linklater
- 5/17: Interview: Penguin Prison
- 5/16: Interview: Brian Regan
- 5/15: Richard Davies (Cardinal) Interviewed by Archie Moore
- 5/11: Interview: Horse Feathers' Justin Ringle
- 5/10: Reflections on a Conversation with Mickey Avalon
- 5/9: Inside the STYLELINER
- 5/8: The Politics of Mastodon
- 5/4: Preview: Mucca Pazza @ The Kennedy Center's "Look Both Ways" Festival
God loves a cheerful giver.
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