Here it is everyone, the last one. I will always be grateful to Russell for doing this for me.
Bloc Party have been on hiatus for a year and a half next week. Rumors say (from you actually through a member of AND who saw you DJ) that you'll be back in the studio together in August. It seems that the hiatus has lasted longer than originally intended. Are the plans for August still in motion or are Bloc Party fans going to have to wait even longer for material?
There's nothing concrete planned yet. I'm not sure about the others, but i'm busy until the end of August, so September would be the earliest we'd all start writing together, but that still depends on everyone else's plans.
I've written quite a few songs, and met with Kele a couple of times to jam, so there's plenty of ideas floating around.
The last single Bloc Party released was 'One More Chance' obviously a huge difference your first single 'She's Hearing Voices'. Bloc Party has slowly became more focused on electric music it seems, how exactly did this occur, what brought about this drastic change?
I wouldn't say it was a drastic change, more a natural evolution. Kele and I have always been into all genres of music, and love dance music as much as we love guitar based music. As teenagers we didn't have the access to musical technology that being a professional musician provides you. And things have moved on a lot since we started, now you can record an album on your iPad for example. So if we were starting out now, we'd be a completely different band i'm sure.
It's probably too early to ask this, but we are all dying to know, what should we expect from the fourth album? We know that you've written stuff on the road, will this be a return to the basics for Bloc, the same direction you've slowly been going in, or something entirely new?
Well yes, you have answered your own question there. We wrote a lot of songs on the last tour, but i'm not sure if we'll use any of those.
Now that I'm done talking about new material, let's talk about some old work, will we ever get to hear the early The Angel Range / Union demos that have been sought after for nearly 6 years? Songs like Life of the Party and Teen Crisis? Do you still have an old CD of them lying around somewhere?
I might have one somewhere at my old family house... it would possibly even be on cassette. I don't really have time to sit and listen through endless unlabeled cd's and tapes unfortunately. I don't know if our former record label would keep things like that on file.
If there was enough interest, i'm sure the label would like to put out a collection someday, but realistically at this moment in time, i'd imagine there's about 7 people who'd like to hear those demos.
Even more recent are the "A Weekend in the City" b-sides. Many fans believe that the b-sides of the album are better than the actual a-sides and wish that these songs were played more often live. You have played The Once and Future King on occasion (which I consider myself lucky to hear) but overall these songs seem to be forgotten. Some of Bloc Party's best work is believed to be these songs, The Present came in as the third best Bloc Party song on the fan forum Always New Depths. Can you tell us how the band feels about the b-sides and why it appears that they get the cold shoulder so often, and your opinion on them versus songs on the actual album?
I'm sure i've said this before, but when you're playing a live show, you're performing to people who've paid to see something, they have expectations, and the majority of people want to hear the songs that they know. We have 3 album's, and i don't know how many singles, so there's already a lot to condense into one evening.
There's no personal vendetta against b-sides (i really enjoy playing Future King), so we try to drop them in when we can. I don't think anyone can remember how to play songs that we've never really performed live though! And on a few occasions when we've dropped a b-side in, it's really killed the atmosphere in the crowd, so it's quite hard to deal with when you're performing.
I've always wanted to do a b-sides show, or a fan show with requests, something of that ilk but it never seemed to pan out. Though we did a Silent Alarm show in Australia with B-sides, so we're not complete jerks :)
Saturday, April 9, 2011
Friday, April 8, 2011
Interview with Russell Lissack of Bloc Party: Part 3
We (members of AND) know that the band knows of the forum. I've always been curious how often the band visits the forum, and reads up on it. There have been some odd links that seem too strange to be coincidence, with a member (Progress) suggesting that Bloc Party should play I Would Die 4 U by Prince live and have it go into Flux and a few months later, it happened, and Kele wearing a shirt with Obama on it and underneath saying Progress, which was Progress's avatar on the forum at the time. So...are members of Bloc Party also undercover spies on AND?
I have no idea what the others get up to on the internet in their own time... that's probably best left alone.
The Obama progress thing sounds like a coincidence, wasn't that his presidential campaign slogan?
I rarely look on there anymore, its not our domain, it's somewhere for our fans to hang out. If anyone want's to talk to me, i always reply to messages, even if it takes me a while, and i'm always happy to talk if people bump into me.
As a musician, what are you most proud of?
I might be wrong, and who knows where we will stand in the grand scheme of things, but i like to think that we are a band that are important to people.
When i was growing up, there were countless bands and songs i enjoyed, and that influenced me, but i can count on one hand the bands that were truly special. its hard to put into words, but somehow their music was influential beyond songwriting, they actually had an impact on the direction of my life, they really fueled a passion in me.
I hope that's something like what we mean to people.
You've been in Bloc Party for almost a decade now. Looking back on it, and your music career, is there anything that you would have changed?
It's hard to say... there's lot's of things we could have done differently, but you never know how they would have worked out.
Even if we never work as Bloc Party again, i've done what i always dreamed of doing.
You're somewhat labeled as the quiet, shy, and even awkward member of Bloc Party. Are you really quiet and shy or do you feel as if this is an inaccurate portrayal?
It was accurate, but i think during this time off, and touring with Ash, i've become a lot more confident.... in relation to myself 5 years ago anyway.
Finally, what are your favorite Bloc Party songs and your favorite album? Which mean the most to you and why?
That's the kind of question that can produce a different answer depending on when i'm asked.
So today, i'd say Weekend in the City is my favourite album.
I love "Sunday", for me it's one of those rare moments when a song creates goosebumps. I always remember when we did a demo for it and Matt wrote the backing vocals, it reminded me of the Lion King, and obviously i'm now King of the Jungle so it's even more relevant.
Writing the Prayer was awesome too, it really felt like a step forwards. (I actually got the idea for the "ooh" intro vocals from the Wizard of Oz, fact of the day.)
I have no idea what the others get up to on the internet in their own time... that's probably best left alone.
The Obama progress thing sounds like a coincidence, wasn't that his presidential campaign slogan?
I rarely look on there anymore, its not our domain, it's somewhere for our fans to hang out. If anyone want's to talk to me, i always reply to messages, even if it takes me a while, and i'm always happy to talk if people bump into me.
As a musician, what are you most proud of?
I might be wrong, and who knows where we will stand in the grand scheme of things, but i like to think that we are a band that are important to people.
When i was growing up, there were countless bands and songs i enjoyed, and that influenced me, but i can count on one hand the bands that were truly special. its hard to put into words, but somehow their music was influential beyond songwriting, they actually had an impact on the direction of my life, they really fueled a passion in me.
I hope that's something like what we mean to people.
You've been in Bloc Party for almost a decade now. Looking back on it, and your music career, is there anything that you would have changed?
It's hard to say... there's lot's of things we could have done differently, but you never know how they would have worked out.
Even if we never work as Bloc Party again, i've done what i always dreamed of doing.
You're somewhat labeled as the quiet, shy, and even awkward member of Bloc Party. Are you really quiet and shy or do you feel as if this is an inaccurate portrayal?
It was accurate, but i think during this time off, and touring with Ash, i've become a lot more confident.... in relation to myself 5 years ago anyway.
Finally, what are your favorite Bloc Party songs and your favorite album? Which mean the most to you and why?
That's the kind of question that can produce a different answer depending on when i'm asked.
So today, i'd say Weekend in the City is my favourite album.
I love "Sunday", for me it's one of those rare moments when a song creates goosebumps. I always remember when we did a demo for it and Matt wrote the backing vocals, it reminded me of the Lion King, and obviously i'm now King of the Jungle so it's even more relevant.
Writing the Prayer was awesome too, it really felt like a step forwards. (I actually got the idea for the "ooh" intro vocals from the Wizard of Oz, fact of the day.)
Sunday, April 3, 2011
Top Songs of the 2000s (1)
'Leif Erickson'
Is there a song that can be categorized as so beautiful and so chilling? That makes you weep and shake? Makes your insides scream from adrenaline and fear? 'Leif Erickson' is one of the few, if not only, song that I have ever heard that can be affect you in such a powerful way, in such opposite emotions. Not to mention, Paul Banks is pretty bad ass with that cigarette.
'Take It or Leave It'
Everything about this song is perfection. All of "Is This It" is centered around indifference, finding yourself, and just figuring out what the fuck to do with your life. Not until the last song, 'Take It or Leave It' does Julian finally speak his mind and just say fuck it, I'm going to do what I want and say what I want and tell you what I've always wanted, that guy you're with, he's an asshole. It's him finally looking around and criticizing those around him and those who brought him down "Boys act too tough, girls act too much, enough is enough!" The guitar riff is one of the best guitars of the past decade, unarguably catchy and though repititive, gets better with every listen. Most importantly though, the intro and guitar sets the confident mood of the song. Those opening down chords followed by that upbeat riff lets you know that this song is different from the rest of the album. It's fitting that this self proclamation anthem is at the end of an album that is themed on indecisiveness and giving up, saying there's still hope, and you can still do what you love.
Is there a song that can be categorized as so beautiful and so chilling? That makes you weep and shake? Makes your insides scream from adrenaline and fear? 'Leif Erickson' is one of the few, if not only, song that I have ever heard that can be affect you in such a powerful way, in such opposite emotions. Not to mention, Paul Banks is pretty bad ass with that cigarette.
'Take It or Leave It'
Everything about this song is perfection. All of "Is This It" is centered around indifference, finding yourself, and just figuring out what the fuck to do with your life. Not until the last song, 'Take It or Leave It' does Julian finally speak his mind and just say fuck it, I'm going to do what I want and say what I want and tell you what I've always wanted, that guy you're with, he's an asshole. It's him finally looking around and criticizing those around him and those who brought him down "Boys act too tough, girls act too much, enough is enough!" The guitar riff is one of the best guitars of the past decade, unarguably catchy and though repititive, gets better with every listen. Most importantly though, the intro and guitar sets the confident mood of the song. Those opening down chords followed by that upbeat riff lets you know that this song is different from the rest of the album. It's fitting that this self proclamation anthem is at the end of an album that is themed on indecisiveness and giving up, saying there's still hope, and you can still do what you love.
Saturday, April 2, 2011
Interview with Russell Lissack of Bloc Party: Part 2
On your tour with Ash in South Africa you were brutally massacred by a murderous lion. What exactly happened? Is this an accurate story? http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-tzxV6OXfoc
Ha ha, Yes, that is a live recording of what happened. And here is a photo (attached) of the culprit, washing down my blood afterwards
Speaking of Ash, you were in an Ash tribute band when you met Kele, correct? How has touring with a band, and musicians you hold so highly been, and do you feel that touring with another band on that scale has changed your thoughts towards Bloc Party or how you will write music?
That's not quite correct. For mine and a friends birthday, we decided to do a one off show of Ash cover's, as we were such big fans and both knew most of their songs. Fun fact, Mattie from the band Does it offend you yeah? played the drums for us.
Touring with them has been amazing. Fortunately we'd met a few times prior to this, so it wasn't too awkward when we started... and the fact i already knew how to play the songs helped!
I think it reminded me how much i enjoy playing the guitar, and how fun it can be to rock out. It has definitely reignited my passion.
You and I are both vegetarians. While a lot of things came into play with me deciding to become a vegetarian, admittedly 'Meat is Murder' and my respect for Morrissey had a great influence and was the final nail in the coffin for me. What made you become a vegetarian and do you find any difficulty being one?
I became a vegetarian for health reasons. The book Fast Food Nation was very influential in my decision.
Travelling to different countries, sometimes it can be really tricky finding food. The worst are when we play in Spain or Portugal, every restaurant serves plates of meat and cheese, yet its impossible to get any vegetables. Its really infuriating, as i love visiting those countries, but you feel pretty sick after 2 days of eating just bread and cheese.
Japan was a place i was always nervous about being vegetarian too, but as long as you have someone who can translate for you, its easily the best food in the world. That and New York, they have crazy fake meat there i never see anywhere else.
Sorry, my puppy is misbehaving, to be continued!
Ha ha, Yes, that is a live recording of what happened. And here is a photo (attached) of the culprit, washing down my blood afterwards
Speaking of Ash, you were in an Ash tribute band when you met Kele, correct? How has touring with a band, and musicians you hold so highly been, and do you feel that touring with another band on that scale has changed your thoughts towards Bloc Party or how you will write music?
That's not quite correct. For mine and a friends birthday, we decided to do a one off show of Ash cover's, as we were such big fans and both knew most of their songs. Fun fact, Mattie from the band Does it offend you yeah? played the drums for us.
Touring with them has been amazing. Fortunately we'd met a few times prior to this, so it wasn't too awkward when we started... and the fact i already knew how to play the songs helped!
I think it reminded me how much i enjoy playing the guitar, and how fun it can be to rock out. It has definitely reignited my passion.
You and I are both vegetarians. While a lot of things came into play with me deciding to become a vegetarian, admittedly 'Meat is Murder' and my respect for Morrissey had a great influence and was the final nail in the coffin for me. What made you become a vegetarian and do you find any difficulty being one?
I became a vegetarian for health reasons. The book Fast Food Nation was very influential in my decision.
Travelling to different countries, sometimes it can be really tricky finding food. The worst are when we play in Spain or Portugal, every restaurant serves plates of meat and cheese, yet its impossible to get any vegetables. Its really infuriating, as i love visiting those countries, but you feel pretty sick after 2 days of eating just bread and cheese.
Japan was a place i was always nervous about being vegetarian too, but as long as you have someone who can translate for you, its easily the best food in the world. That and New York, they have crazy fake meat there i never see anywhere else.
Sorry, my puppy is misbehaving, to be continued!
Monday, March 28, 2011
Interview with Russell Lissack of Bloc Party: Part 1
You turned 30 recently, congratulations! How was your birthday?
Great thanks. I went to Alton Towers (a big theme park in the UK like 6 flags), i love rollercoasters and haven't been there since i was about 14.
I've been writing songs for various things.I wrote a couple with Heavenstamp, a Japanese band from Tokyo who i'm working with at the moment. I've also been writing with a producer friend for a new project.
And i've written maybe 7 or 8 songs intended for Bloc Party, but they're at such an early stage there's not much point in describing them, as things tend to change a lot.
To be honest i've not heard much of the other guys work, i was on tour for about 9 months of last year. I did see Gordon's first gig with Young Legionnaire, it was good to catch up.
I am indeed, but so far i think it's one of their worst albums. Hail to the Thief actually turned out to be probably my favourite Radiohead album. Its not very often a band puts out such high quality material so far into their career, which makes that album all the more impressive. King of Limbs i've found to be unlistenable. Perhaps it will grow on me, but i don't currently have a desire to put it on again for a long time.
I could find positives with it at a stretch, but there's no point forcing yourself to like something.
I do love that video though!
The very first thing that inspired me was watching Michael J Fox perform Johnny b Goode in the film Back to the Future. At the time, i thought it was the coolest thing ever and wanted to be able to do that.
Coincidentally i saw it again last night, it's still pretty damn cool.
It can be different all the time, depending on who you're working with. But i usually just hear melodies or ideas in my head when i'm doing other things, and hope that i can remember them in time to get to an instrument.
I've never really been one to sit around jamming and working on ideas, it either happens straight away or it's not happening.
Its similar if i'm working on someone elses idea. I think instinctively, i know what to do immediately, the spontaneity is what makes the music.
Yep, as i said their name is Heavenstamp. They're a new band in Japan, i worked on an EP with them, and shortly i'm going to help them work on their album (though with current events this could be postponed).
I was nervous about taking a producer role, its not something i've had much experience in, but it turned out really well. I managed to get my friend Jamie Ellis on board (he's a young producer who's worked with Chapel Club and Paul Epworth amongst others), and with him taking on the more technical producer duties, i was free to take on more of a creative role. I definitely felt more at home working on musical ideas and sounds than arranging drum mic's and programming, its been a great relationship so far.
Ok, i have to go out now, will get back to you!!
Russell
Great thanks. I went to Alton Towers (a big theme park in the UK like 6 flags), i love rollercoasters and haven't been there since i was about 14.
You've been busy since Bloc Party's hiatus, recording an album with Milena for Pin Me Down, touring with Ash, and you mentioned that you've written some songs. Can you go into more detail on what these are for and how they're sounding?
I've been writing songs for various things.I wrote a couple with Heavenstamp, a Japanese band from Tokyo who i'm working with at the moment. I've also been writing with a producer friend for a new project.
And i've written maybe 7 or 8 songs intended for Bloc Party, but they're at such an early stage there's not much point in describing them, as things tend to change a lot.
You haven't been the only one busy though, Kele's doing his solo thing, Gordy's in Young Legionaire, and Matt's working on solo material as well. How do you feel about your other bandmates' work?
To be honest i've not heard much of the other guys work, i was on tour for about 9 months of last year. I did see Gordon's first gig with Young Legionnaire, it was good to catch up.
While on the subject of other musicians' work, you're a Radiohead fan, what's your opinion on "The King of Limbs"?
I am indeed, but so far i think it's one of their worst albums. Hail to the Thief actually turned out to be probably my favourite Radiohead album. Its not very often a band puts out such high quality material so far into their career, which makes that album all the more impressive. King of Limbs i've found to be unlistenable. Perhaps it will grow on me, but i don't currently have a desire to put it on again for a long time.
I could find positives with it at a stretch, but there's no point forcing yourself to like something.
I do love that video though!
Who or what inspired you to pick up a guitar and start playing?
The very first thing that inspired me was watching Michael J Fox perform Johnny b Goode in the film Back to the Future. At the time, i thought it was the coolest thing ever and wanted to be able to do that.
Coincidentally i saw it again last night, it's still pretty damn cool.
When writing a song, how do you approach it? How does the writing process usually occur for you?
It can be different all the time, depending on who you're working with. But i usually just hear melodies or ideas in my head when i'm doing other things, and hope that i can remember them in time to get to an instrument.
I've never really been one to sit around jamming and working on ideas, it either happens straight away or it's not happening.
Its similar if i'm working on someone elses idea. I think instinctively, i know what to do immediately, the spontaneity is what makes the music.
You seem to be a big fan of the Japanese culture, if I remember correctly you're quite the fan of Final Fantasy and you mentioned that you're producing a band in Japan. Mind giving some details about this band and how it might be different for you to being a producer instead of a musician?
Yep, as i said their name is Heavenstamp. They're a new band in Japan, i worked on an EP with them, and shortly i'm going to help them work on their album (though with current events this could be postponed).
I was nervous about taking a producer role, its not something i've had much experience in, but it turned out really well. I managed to get my friend Jamie Ellis on board (he's a young producer who's worked with Chapel Club and Paul Epworth amongst others), and with him taking on the more technical producer duties, i was free to take on more of a creative role. I definitely felt more at home working on musical ideas and sounds than arranging drum mic's and programming, its been a great relationship so far.
Ok, i have to go out now, will get back to you!!
Russell
Wednesday, March 9, 2011
The Strokes - "Angles" What we have now, and what to expect
"Angles" comes out in 13 days. Luckily, we already have half of the album at our disposal, along with 30 second clips of the rest of the songs.
The five songs we have right now:
Machu Pichu
Under the Cover of Darkness
You're So Right
Taken for a Fool
Life is Simple in the Moonlight
Want them?
Fine, here they are! http://www.megaupload.com/?d=IZU1T3TD
'Machu Pichu' - So someone's been listening to some Bob Marley and Michael Jackson. Very tropical. The chorus brings it back to classic Strokes, "I'm just trying to find, a mountain I can climb" followed by some awesome bar chords from Nick. As far as openers go, this is The Strokes worse, still good, but no where near the same league as 'Is This It?' 'Whatever Happened' or 'You Only Live Once'.
'Under the Cover of Darkness' - I've already discuss this below. This has the potential to be one of the best song son the album. It IS The Strokes, this is it! If you don't like it, then you don't like the essence of The Strokes. Take everything in "Is This It" combine it with "Room on Fire" and you'll get 'Under the Cover of Darkness'. Fact.
'You're So Right' - Radioheadesque. No one saw this coming. Very similar to 'Jigsaw Falling Into Place' by Radiohead if you replace the acoustic with that electric, futuristic feel. Has a really impressive guitar solo, very aggressive. This could become an awesome opener for their live shows, simple repetitive lyrics, never really slows down, it'll get people moving. But on the album, it lacks that power and just falls flat.
'Taken as a Fool' - Typical Strokes formula, Julian singing with an instrument backing him and playing the same notes he's singing ('12:51'). His vocal melody reminds me a lot of Anthony Kiedis of Red Hot Chili Peppers during some verses. This, like 'Under Cover of Darkness' feels like their early stuff mainly through the subject of the song, elementary but awesome, just about someone who wants to be respected.
'Life is Simple in the Moonlight' - This song brings me to tears. I don't even know what it's about. The way how the keys harmonized with Julian's voice is astounding, The Strokes have never closed an album with a soft and slow song, instead using classic tracks as 'I Can't Win' and one of my personal favorite Strokes songs 'Take It or Leave It' I'm glad they've changed this, because this is a great closer.
Full review of "Angles" will be up soon since it'll probably leak this week. Hopefully it'll be better than what we have, if not then I'll be disappointed.
The five songs we have right now:
Machu Pichu
Under the Cover of Darkness
You're So Right
Taken for a Fool
Life is Simple in the Moonlight
Want them?
Fine, here they are! http://www.megaupload.com/?d=IZU1T3TD
'Machu Pichu' - So someone's been listening to some Bob Marley and Michael Jackson. Very tropical. The chorus brings it back to classic Strokes, "I'm just trying to find, a mountain I can climb" followed by some awesome bar chords from Nick. As far as openers go, this is The Strokes worse, still good, but no where near the same league as 'Is This It?' 'Whatever Happened' or 'You Only Live Once'.
'Under the Cover of Darkness' - I've already discuss this below. This has the potential to be one of the best song son the album. It IS The Strokes, this is it! If you don't like it, then you don't like the essence of The Strokes. Take everything in "Is This It" combine it with "Room on Fire" and you'll get 'Under the Cover of Darkness'. Fact.
'You're So Right' - Radioheadesque. No one saw this coming. Very similar to 'Jigsaw Falling Into Place' by Radiohead if you replace the acoustic with that electric, futuristic feel. Has a really impressive guitar solo, very aggressive. This could become an awesome opener for their live shows, simple repetitive lyrics, never really slows down, it'll get people moving. But on the album, it lacks that power and just falls flat.
'Taken as a Fool' - Typical Strokes formula, Julian singing with an instrument backing him and playing the same notes he's singing ('12:51'). His vocal melody reminds me a lot of Anthony Kiedis of Red Hot Chili Peppers during some verses. This, like 'Under Cover of Darkness' feels like their early stuff mainly through the subject of the song, elementary but awesome, just about someone who wants to be respected.
'Life is Simple in the Moonlight' - This song brings me to tears. I don't even know what it's about. The way how the keys harmonized with Julian's voice is astounding, The Strokes have never closed an album with a soft and slow song, instead using classic tracks as 'I Can't Win' and one of my personal favorite Strokes songs 'Take It or Leave It' I'm glad they've changed this, because this is a great closer.
Full review of "Angles" will be up soon since it'll probably leak this week. Hopefully it'll be better than what we have, if not then I'll be disappointed.
Monday, March 7, 2011
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