Interview: Los Campesinos
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Los Campesinos
Los Campesinos combine their own brand of euphoric pop with intelligent lyrics and tight live shows. Neu! caught up with Ollie from the band to see how the tour's coming along and to chat about recent successes.
So, how’s the tour going?
Really well, we’ve had some really good responses especially from places like Glasgow and Manchester.
And the album?
There have been some really good reviews. Except the NME only gave it a six. It’s an odd story actually, the bloke who reviewed it gave it a seven but the reviews editor bumped it down to a six. Apparently they liked it but it didn’t ‘flow right’ which we didn’t really agree with but it’s better than anything between one and five!
Which is better then; recording an album or playing live?
In some ways recording is better, you get to muck around and add different instrumentations. Some of the songs we had weren’t complete until we actually went into record them. But in the studio it’s the same stuff over and over whereas on tour you have one opportunity to get it right. I think we’re more of a live band really.
Los Camps! Sound is quite unique; was it a conscious decision to use so many instruments?
Not really. Three of us used to meet on Wednesday afternoons and thought songs would benefit from a violin or something here and there. There are a lot of talented people in the band and it’s good other instruments came about but it was more organic than anything.
What has the weirdest moment on tour been?
Probably a fight which broke out in Newcastle. It was during “You! Me! Dancing!” and Gareth had to stop the song to calm it down!
What are your favourite songs to play live?
New stuff like “We’re All Accelerated Readers” is better I suppose; songs that haven’t been played too many times and which can be improved on.
How integral do you think sites like Myspace are for bands now?
Without Myspace we wouldn’t be here, we would never had launched the bands original demos and would probably still be playing small clubs and bars in Cardiff!
Does it not take some of the soul out of the music?
I don’t think so, it’s important and easy for bands to get their stuff out there. It is a bit like an extra limb on the music industry but yeah, instead of being based in Cardiff people in America can listen. It’s global, it makes the music community smaller and that’s a good thing.
Finally, how is it gaining more recognition and reputation?
Well we’ll enjoy whatever happens and the smaller, more intimate venues are good- like tonight is the weirdest place we’ve played so far and it’s tiny- but it’ll be good to play bigger places too.
Jade French
Los Campesinos Official Site
Los Campesinos Myspace
Buy Los Campesinos CDs | Buy Los Campesinos mp3s | Buy Los Campesinos Tickets | Buy Los Campesinos Merch
Los Campesinos combine their own brand of euphoric pop with intelligent lyrics and tight live shows. Neu! caught up with Ollie from the band to see how the tour's coming along and to chat about recent successes.
So, how’s the tour going?
Really well, we’ve had some really good responses especially from places like Glasgow and Manchester.
And the album?
There have been some really good reviews. Except the NME only gave it a six. It’s an odd story actually, the bloke who reviewed it gave it a seven but the reviews editor bumped it down to a six. Apparently they liked it but it didn’t ‘flow right’ which we didn’t really agree with but it’s better than anything between one and five!
Which is better then; recording an album or playing live?
In some ways recording is better, you get to muck around and add different instrumentations. Some of the songs we had weren’t complete until we actually went into record them. But in the studio it’s the same stuff over and over whereas on tour you have one opportunity to get it right. I think we’re more of a live band really.
Los Camps! Sound is quite unique; was it a conscious decision to use so many instruments?
Not really. Three of us used to meet on Wednesday afternoons and thought songs would benefit from a violin or something here and there. There are a lot of talented people in the band and it’s good other instruments came about but it was more organic than anything.
What has the weirdest moment on tour been?
Probably a fight which broke out in Newcastle. It was during “You! Me! Dancing!” and Gareth had to stop the song to calm it down!
What are your favourite songs to play live?
New stuff like “We’re All Accelerated Readers” is better I suppose; songs that haven’t been played too many times and which can be improved on.
How integral do you think sites like Myspace are for bands now?
Without Myspace we wouldn’t be here, we would never had launched the bands original demos and would probably still be playing small clubs and bars in Cardiff!
Does it not take some of the soul out of the music?
I don’t think so, it’s important and easy for bands to get their stuff out there. It is a bit like an extra limb on the music industry but yeah, instead of being based in Cardiff people in America can listen. It’s global, it makes the music community smaller and that’s a good thing.
Finally, how is it gaining more recognition and reputation?
Well we’ll enjoy whatever happens and the smaller, more intimate venues are good- like tonight is the weirdest place we’ve played so far and it’s tiny- but it’ll be good to play bigger places too.
Jade French
Los Campesinos Official Site
Los Campesinos Myspace
Buy Los Campesinos CDs | Buy Los Campesinos mp3s | Buy Los Campesinos Tickets | Buy Los Campesinos Merch
Comments
Simon orman
20 May 2008, 09:03
20 May 2008, 09:03
Hey, I love Los campesinos they are fab and they really brighten up my day. ((: x