Kicking off on the Gold Coast on January 5th, Arizona based outfit Lydia is making tracks down to Australia for a massive tour. Rhiannon Harper chatted to Leighton Antelman of the group to talk the new album Paint It Golden, coming back from hiatus, the tour and much more…
Your new album “Paint It Golden” came after a year long hiatus, would you say that the feelings from putting the band on hold made this record more emotional than the rest?
The new album “Paint It Golden” is really a collection of songs that I have been holding on to for some time now. So this album is kind of special to me. Most of these songs I have kept off albums we put out for whatever reason. They are songs I’ve been wanting to put out for a long time now, but I guess it just wasn’t the right time for it.
What made you want to come off from the year long hiatus (or was it always part of the plan)?
Ha, yeah that’s not the first time I’ve been asked if it was “part of the plan”. I guess it would be a good marketing plan right? Honestly it was never “in the plan” to ever bring back Lydia. I just simply did not get along with one of the guys in the band. I could not make music with him anymore. The entire breakup and farewell tour was only because of our relationship. A week before the farewell tour he up and left the band. So the entire farewell tour was simply amazing and the most fun I’ve ever had on a tour. After the tour me and Craig(Lydia’s drummer) really did not want to stop making music together. He convinced me to not throw so much away because of one person.
How do you feel the album has been received so far?
I am blown away with how supportive Lydia fans, and fans in general, have taken it. I knew going into the album it was going to be critiqued and judged a little harder than other albums we’ve released. Being a “come back ” album it kind of just comes with the territory. That said, I am blown away with how the album as been taken.
Do you think that Lydia is comfortable as a band now?
I really love where Lydia is at right now. in the studio it has always just been a few people. That part hasn’t really changed much. Now on the road I have found some touring musician’s that are amazing. Lydia is in the best stage that it ever has been. I honestly wouldn’t change a thing.
You’re hitting the shores of Australia again soon and your fan base continues to spike. Are you expecting to change up your performance as the crowds get larger?
Every tour we do we try to bring something new and different for the fans and audience. This tour will be no different. We will be playing some new songs and old songs also. With a twist on the set list to keep it entertaining and new.
What has been one of your favourite memories from recent touring?
Ha, that’s a good question. The road sometime’s gets a bit out of control. Late, drunken nights at the hotels are pretty memorable and get a little crazy. I would say every time we play certain songs on stage and I can’t hear what I’m singing because the crowd is singing it louder than me. That’s always very flattering.
What changes do you notice most from becoming internationally recognised in a fairly short amount of time?
I think I realized that the songs I simply mess around with in my house make an impact on people. I never started playing music to “make it big” you know? I can only say I am flattered by how many people, and how far, the music has traveled and gone.
What are your plans for the New Year?
New Years Eve I’m actually going to be in your lovely country. For the rest of the year we will be doing a lot of touring. Lydia will be doing a spring tour in the US and Canada. Then I have another band I sing in called The Cinema. The Cinema Might be doing a summer tour in 2012. Other than that I’ll just be putting my idea together later in the year for another record.
