Self-managed Montreal psychedelic rockers Kill the Lights recently played the NXNE conference and while attracting a flurry of attention from both industry and media, the guys also took the time to answer some questions for Supernova.com.
"...Something chilly, moody, spacious, pop arty - in a primary colour kind of way, reverby with washes of electroclash..."
On the success of their first album, the self-released 'Winter Asthmatics' and MapleMusic's re-release ('Buffalo Love') the band is set to launch a new album 'Fog Area' this coming August. With a reputation for bringing a highly experimental sound and stage presence to every show, Kill the Lights is definitely an act to watch out for.
Introduce yourselves – how does each individual fit into the band?
What's your band’s history and how did you come together?
Yann and I are old friends, and were working in Toronto at the same time around 2005. We met John and started jamming. We bonded over a shared love of weird music. We self-released an independent album in 2005, 'Winter Asthmatics'. That was picked up by MapleMusic Recordings and re-released (with overdubs) in 2007. We subsequently toured the country a few times and have just finished our next full-length, 'Fog Area', to be released in August.
How would you describe your band’s sound?
'Buffalo of Love', the Maple release, had a more commercial sound. But the original idea was of something chilly, moody, spacious, pop arty in a primary colour kind of way, reverby with washes of electroclash, add a dash of Sonic Youth noise. We are flexible and every song is different in its own way. The new album has a lot of mellower tunes, and many abstract soundscape passages.
It is creepy and intense.
What is the most rewarding thing about being in a band?
Hm. Might sound clichéd, but the people you meet and the places you get to visit. We traveled across Canada in the dead of winter, and while it was quite scary at times, it was beautiful. I don’t think I would have done that without this band.
And there is a certain level of personal growth that occurs. You are forced to deal with a lot of shit, and get smarter fast.
Was there any particular moment that made you want to pursue music full time?
Music washing through my head in waves as a 6-year at the spooky old Québec farm where I grew up.
Where is your favourite place to play?
At a packed club with great sound.
Who would you most like to tour with?
The Smiths. Beck. Talking Heads. Bob Marley. All together in one big ramshackle band.
A dream team! What bands are you currently listening to?
Pang Attack could be huge if they figured out basic software skills and got some decent recordings. (Although I'm a bit confused about this video...)
If you had to listen to one album on repeat for the rest of your life, what album would it be and why?
The Cure, Disintegration. Because it is heart-breakingly beautiful.
How do you want people to perceive your band?
As good, and worth listening to. Maybe even worth paying for, at times. That would be nice.
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Kill the Lights will play two upcoming shows in Montreal on July 29th and August 9th... however with the launch of their new album, I'm sure these guys will be hitting the road on tour come August. Hopefully they'll make it back to Toronto; if they do, I owe John (at least) 2 beers :)
How would you describe your band’s sound?
