By pure chance, I briefly caught up with the Lo-Star boys in Austin. Unfortunately, we didn’t have the chance to do an interview. Let me be honest here. It was going to involve a hot tub, and possibly a few drinks before we had to jet out of town. But the morning of, was the morning after the last night of SXSW. And let’s just say that no one was in a fit state. Least of all myself (thanks Perez!). So once we were all back home, we got in touch to catch up on how things went.
They’ve also thrown in a free track of music for your listening pleasure. Head to the end of the interview for the link! I have to say, I’m really digging it.
So the last time we spoke was in Austin, TX at SXSW – how did you show(s) go over there, and what was your overall SXSW experience like?
Adam – it was really good, we had a great show and the audience were amazing! We met some very cool people in Austin as well as one or two funny experiences involving dancing lady boys but we’ll leave that one for another day. . SXSW is like nothing I’d experienced before, so much music everywhere and lots of BBQ – we hope to be there again next year only next time, with our lazer show.
Ric – It’s a completely different world from over here in the UK. I can’t believe the amount of gigs that were taking place… it really makes the Camden Crawl in London look like a tiny event in comparison.
For me, the show was a lot of fun, mixed in with a lot of worrying over having to deal with new keyboards that I had never used before.
How do the Austin crowds differ from what you experience back home?
Ric -The main part we all noticed is that the UK accent seemed to work all sorts of wonders and miracles.
I found the American fans incredibly supportive, especially the Laydees
Adam – The crowds are definitely less reserved in the US, there were lots of photo calls and cd signings after the show and everyone was so friendly, in James’ case perhaps a bit too friendly.
Where are you guys now, anyway, and what’s next for Lo-Star?
Adam – we are back at home in London – a few big things are on the horizon in Lo-star land and it looks as though we’ll be on the road in the second half of 2010.
Ric – I’m at home, wishing I was back in the US!!
Any chance you’ll head down to Australia for some shows?
Ric – Any chances of some shows and a free plane ticket??
Adam -we have all spent a bit of time in Australia individually but have never played there. Its a place very close to our hearts and we would absolutely love to get over as soon as we can – we played with an awesome Oz band called Yves Klein Blue a little while back in the UK – would be cool to play some shows with them. any good Australian agents reading this – get in touch!
You worked with legendary producer Hugh Padgham on your album Closer to the Sun. Can you speak a bit on working with Hugh?
Adam – Ahhh Hugh – where to start? He’s a true gent with a truly exceptional talent for producing. I don’t know how he did it but he made us so at ease that the ideas and songs were just flowing. He’s also got a very wicked sense of humour.
Ric – He’s a filthy filthy bastard.
No, seriously, I have a huge amount of man-love for that man! His laid back approach allowed the band to creatively flow while recording, and it became an incredibly enjoyable experience.
It’s the tiny things that you don’t even notice that have huge impact on the route of the track.
Your bio says he personally sought you out? That’s amazing!
Ric – Well, we found a lonely hearts ad in the pink paper, and thought it was only right to answer it
Adam – Yeah, Hugh was looking for an act to work with and I believe he had ten or so bands to choose from and picked us, that was a nice phone call!
You managed to get James Banbury in for the string arrangements on “Next Time Around” as well! How did this come about?
Ric – We had a work experience girl come in to work for Hugh for a few days. She was pretty handy with a cello, so we got her to play some parts on a track called Next time Around.
However, the tone wasn’t quite right, and I think this was the catalyst for Hugh to give James a call and bring him in.
We also have Clem Clemson playing guitar on that song, so it’s got some great guest sessionists!
How does Lo-Star on record translate to Lo-Star on stage?
Ric – We try to build these tracks from the live version, and one of the main aspects we look for in recording is to reproduce the feel we get when we play live.
If we can’t do that, we try to change it.
Adam – for me Lo-star has always been about playing live, the hardest thing has always been translating what we did onstage onto record. We have a very big sound (without wanting to use the stadium word) which we all feel Hugh has captured brilliantly onto record. Having only played a few shows since we completed the album I can safely say the experience of doing this album has brought about a new intensity and unity in our live playing – its very exciting to be part of.
Are there some tracks that were difficult to get right in the live environment? Or did you find the transition pretty comfortable?
Ric – Next Time Around. Adam and I had only played it live once before SXSW and that was over 4 years ago. It’s a very isolated song, and there’s no room for mishaps.
Moreover, there’s no set part for me, so I’m busking it each time.
Adam – I’d go along with Ric on that, there’s also a track called ‘Everything Was Never Enough’ which lyrically plays tricks on me whenever we do it live. In rehearsals I nail it every time – go figure?
For those who haven’t heard your tunes, please describe your band in one sentence, using as much hyperbole as humanly possible.
EPIC & AWESOME
CAPTIVATING AND DAMN RIGHT HYPNOTIC
In addition to meeting and working with the aforementioned, you’ve been seen on some pretty impressive bills… who else have you had the opportunity to meet that made you go… oh shit, being in the rock and roll business is awesome!?
Ric – The bikini beach band.
Just kidding.
Adam – there have been a few of those moments, however seeing Jimmy Page standing in a queue in KFC was the weirdest! For me, cutting a live track with the boys and Clem Clempson as well as Hugh looking on from the control room was a very memorable moment.
Who inspires you to make the sort of music you do?
Ric – It really does have to be Radiohead.
I think they probably inspire most musicians out there. And at the same time, you know you will never reach their abilities, so it’s an unreachable goal, but a beautiful beautiful thing to strive for.
Adam – I’m with Ric on this one but going back a bit further than Radiohead, Led Zep were definitely one of very few bands to inspire me. Shit that means we’ve agreed on two things in this one interview! In SXSW we met quite a senior A&R guy who after telling me he hated Muse, continued with “i do like Radiohead though, their album ‘Rush of Blood to the Head’ is my favourite – and they wonder why the labels are falling apart?
And finally, we asked Twitter to ask you a question, and this is what came through first: Dear Dr. Lo-Star – everyone has a hangover cure, what’s yours?
Adam – go on an intravenous drip, then have a strong blody Mary and eggs Benedict – never fails!
Ric – McDonalds Strawberry Milkshake
Thanks for your time guys!
Head to Lo-Star’s official website http://www.lo-star.com/ for more about the band!
And as promised, here’s a track for your listening pleasure…
