Sam Simkoff of Le Loup gives a great interview. We should know since we have already done this with him, not once (right after they got signed to Hardly Art), but twice (right before the record got released last summer) before.
So we figured, before their big homecoming show tonight at the Cat (with the very excellent openers Ruby Suns and Bellman Barker) we would catch up with him, and see what him and the band have been up to.
So, last time we spoke the album was just about to come out. That was 5 or so months a go. Tell us briefly how has life changed for everyone since?
well, jim’s got a mustache, for one. that’s a pretty big change. and just between you and me, mike’s got a glass eye, and a wooden leg. other than that, everybody’s just about the same, give or take all of our savings accounts. despite what you may think, touring doesn’t pull in the big bucks. let that be a lesson! instead of going on tour, you ought to put all your money in the stock market, and pray for the best.
You’ve done a national tour and played SXSW recently…any highlights? Any juicy gossip?
highlights… i mean, SXSW in general was a lot more pleasant than we expected. save maybe one instance, they were all pretty good shows- highlights would have to be the DC showcase, and our last show at homeslice pizza. the atmospheres at both of those shows was very familial and warm. juicy gossip? i don’t really have my ear to the ground these days. and even if i did, touring has taken its toll on my hearing. so i’m pretty gossip-free right now. other band members might be of better help in that respect.
Speaking of SXSW, have you heard any amazing new bands all of us should know about, but we just don’t yet?
that YOU guys haven’t heard about? probably not, you’re pretty on top of things. can’t sing the praises of yeasayer enough, though. we got to play one show with them, and they were king. it was an amazing night. i heard evangelicals for the first time while i was there. i was quite partial to that show.
Oh mean, we hear you. How does it feel to be back home? What’s the best thing about it? And the worst?
it feels great to be back. we love playing places that are already familiar with our sound, and being on your home turf obviously brings its own huge added bonus. best thing about it: playing to a familiar, receptive (hopefully) crowd. DCists in general tend to be very enthusiastic and friendly. worst? playing to a familiar crowd. how many times have they heard our songs? our live show? there’s always the added pressure that you need to step up your game in those situations, bring the audience something they haven’t seen or heard yet. which is difficult. we do have some new songs though, so there’s that.
I heard you guys are working on new material? How is that coming along?
see above. it’s going well. they’re a different sound, to better reflect the band strengths and dynamics. the old stuff was obviously a solo affair, and had to be adapted. ironically, it took a lot of paring down to get the solo songs into a live, seven-person setting. the new songs have been formulated with our physical limitations in mind, and i think they ultimately work better as live performances. very energetic, too.
What are the plans for the new record? Release dates?
no release date as of yet, but it’s a safe bet that we’ll take our sweet time. i want to be able to really think things out, not rush anything. i’d say a year and a half, maybe a little more. hopefully, it’ll be worth it.
Are you planning on playing any new songs tonight?
read answers four and five.
Yes, please do. Now…why should everyone come to check out your openers?
i’ve only ever seen bellman barker’s live show once, and it blew me away. anybody familiar with the DC music circle knows why they should see bellman barker. the ruby suns are new on the scene- fresh from new zealand- but they’re already garnering massive buzz in the webosphere, or whatever the hell you kids call it these days. they got ‘best new music’ on pitchfork, and they deserved it. their new EP, ’sea lion,’ is fantastic, and their live show is awesome. they’re charming people, too. and not just because of the accents.
And finally a Friday message for the readers…
oh god, TGIF, fellas, am i right? don’t work too hard.
Indeed. Have to save some energy for tonight
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++
for more Le Loup coverage from us go here:
interview 1:http://www.brightestyoungthings.com/interviews/byt-interview-le-loup/
interview 2 and listening party: http://www.brightestyoungthings.com/music/on-the-brink-with-le-loup/
live show review:http://www.brightestyoungthings.com/live-dc/live-dc-le-loup-the-nuclear-so-and-sos/
all photography: joel didriksen kingpinphoto
