terça-feira, 24 de outubro de 2017

We Have No Friends? with Surf Rock is Dead - An Interview


Seguindo por caminhos e conexões com gente do naipe de DIIV, Beach House, Day Wave e afins, o o duo radicado no Brooklyn, NY, Surf Rock is Dead, chega a seu ápice criativo em seus três de existência, por conta do recém lançado "We Have No Friend?".

Um cintilante dreampop acima da média, e talvez mais interessante do que seus contemporâneos, principalmente por se aventurar um pouco mais em caminhos mais, digamos, soturnos em alguns momentos, principalmente na predileta, "White Salsa".

Suavemente envolvente e indispensável para os sonhadores de plantão.

***** Interview with Surf Rock is Dead *****



Q. When did Surf Rock is Dead start? Tell us about the history...
A: (Kevin) The basis for Surf Rock is Dead initially started in late 2014. Joel and I had been loose beer buddies in New York and one day finally said "fuck it let's jam." We programmed a simple beat on an old beat machine, he picked up the bass, I picked up the guitar, and we just started writing riffs focusing on interesting and catchy melodies. The basis of it wasn't to start a band but we were having a blast and wrote enough songs for a live set and thought that forming a band may be the natural next step.

Q: Who are your influences?
A: (Kevin) Growing up and playing guitar, Jimmy Page (Led Zeppelin) would have to be the strongest influence and the reason why I think I have an affinity for lead guitar melodies rather than chord structures. As far as creating interesting and dreamy sonic textures I really love Animal Collective, Deerhunter, Ratatat, Ariel Pink to name a few.

Q. Make a list of 5 albums of all time…
A: (Joel) Abbey Road - The Beatles, Kid A - Radiohead, Either/Or - Elliott Smith, Merriweather Post Pavilion - Animal Collective, Teen Dream - Beach House

Q. How do you feel playing live?
A: (Kevin) Playing live is a completely unique human experience. It is something rare and liberating considering so much of our time every day consists of staring at glowing electronic rectangles. To completely shed away from that and focus on raw and organic music is cathartic. While playing live we really just focus on having a good time and hitting the right notes (which isn't always 100% lol).


Q. How do you describe Surf Rock is Dead sounds?
A: (Joel) Hahaha this is a question we get so often and yet we still find it so difficult to answer. I'd generally say its New Wave meets Shoegaze meets Surf Rock. Sometimes I like to describe it as Surfgaze, but today I feel Haze Wave may be more appropriate. From a completely sonic perspective; verb washed licks with fat drum tones coupled wth melancholic indie vocals...

Q: Tell us about the process of recording the songs ?
A: (Joel) This is something that changes from song to song. Often we'll make a demo to start making sure the crux of the song is there. Once we feel the song is holding water we'll move over to tracking drums, bass, guitars and vocals (in no particular order, generally whatever we're feeling at the time). Sometimes new guitar parts and harmonies are created here and wander their way into the songs.

Q. Which new bands do you recommend?
A: Joy Again, Grim Streaker, Suburban Living

Q: Which band would you love to made a cover version of?
A: (Kevin) There's this amazing song called "So Many Things to Tell You" by Mark Redito that has a very simple chord structure yet intriguing melodies, rhythms, and synths done in a very contemporary LA pop sort of way. I feel like we can do something really cool converting everything into bombastic live instrumentation with some wailing reverb guitar. It would be a fun little experiment.... Link to song--->

"So Many Things to Tell You"- Mark Redito

Q: What are your plans for the future?
(Kevin) We are jumping on an East Coast and Canada tour with Black Kids and on top of that will be focusing on always recording new tunes. If anyone will be in any of the below cities hit us up and come out !

USA+Canada Tour w/ Black Kids
Oct 22 – DC9 – Washington DC
Oct 24 – Boot & Saddle – Philadelphia, PA
Oct 26 – Sonia – Cambridge, MA
Oct 28 – Higher Ground Showcase Lounge – Burlington, VT
Oct 29 – Petit Campus – Montreal, QC
Oct 30 – The Garrison – Toronto, ONQ: Any parting words?

A: (Kevin) Honestly we would love to make it out to Brazil but the best we can offer now is for you all to check us out online! We have vinyl featuring our 2nd EP "We Have No Friends?" on the A side and our debut EP "SRiD" on the B side. Links below!

Thanks so much for reaching out to us and requesting the interview.

Vinyl
Spotify
Apple Music
Bandcamp
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Thanks