Please tell our readers where you are originally from.
Born in Paris and lived in Baltimore, Philadelphia, upstate New York, back to Paris, then back to Baltimore four years ago.
How did you get involved with music?
I've been playing the piano since I was little, and singing since I was young as well. Music has always been a part of my life and family history.
How did the collaboration of Beach House come together?
The collaboration came from a failed project; we were like two minds that understood similar things without it being difficult. We also shared similar tastes in music that we admired and listened to at the time. It came together very quickly and seamlessly almost.
What were the distinct differences in the recording process of Devotion from your debut album?
The process was longer. The first record was recorded in two days, the second in two weeks. We also spent a lot longer listening and mixing than on the first. There was a lot more material for Devotion. We were also in a studio as opposed to Alex's basement. But the studio is run by Rob Girardi, the same guy who recorded the first record. The process also was much more intense and had a few moments of craziness, both bad and good.
What inspired the cover of Daniel Johnston's "Some Things Last a Long Time"? Do you do any other covers?
I heard this song and immediately thought of Beach House. I was never sure if it was going to work, but then close to the recording, an arrangement was created that made it work. Kind of like an interlude in the record. We cover Tony, Caro and John's “Snowden Song” on the first Beach House record. We titled it “Lovelier Girl.”
You did a lot of touring in 2007. You toured with Grizzly Bear towards the end of the year. What was a highlight (or a good road story) from that tour?
I went psychedelic at a motel in Buffalo one night and then vomited into Niagara Falls, which by the way, was one of the most beautiful and intense views besides White Sands, New Mexico, that I've seen so far. White Sands, New Mexico was also an incredible road experience. So white, you know. HAHA. The Grizzly Bears drink a lot when they tour. I think they are trying to cope with how famous they are now. Hee hee.
This year, you will be headlining your own tour. Who are some of the bands you'll be performing with on this tour?
We shall be performing with Papercuts from San Francisco, and we really like them as people and musicians.
How much of Baltimore's history (John Waters films, pit beef, Natty Boh, Edgar Allan Poe) do you indulge in?
I indulge in watching John Waters's films, most recently Serial Mom. When I first moved to Baltimore, I indulged gluttonously in Natty Boh, as we say; less now because it is like water, but really good for beer bongs. Pit beef is more of a tour thing. Oh, and the accent of Bawlmer is fun to throw around, too. I work in an area that I'm sure is represented in a lot of Waters's movies. I served him dinner where I work a few times. Really nice man.
Your band produces very playful and moody sounds. Have either of you ever heard of an old band from the D.C./Virginia area called Siddal? They had a very similar sound to Beach House, except their singer Elaine wore angel wings during their performances.
Funny because we are playful and moody people. Haven't heard of Siddal. I don't wear wings, SORRY!
In the UK, your music is being distributed by Robin Guthrie and Simon Raymonde's label, Bella Union. How did that come about?
I think someone there liked us and Simon was turned on to us, and the rest is celebrity MAGIC.
Were either of you big Cocteau Twins fans?
I admire the Cocteau Twins, but I was never an obsessive fan.
Will your new album Devotion be available in vinyl, too?
Absofreakinglutely.
Any closing comments, recipes, and/or favorite eateries of Baltimore?
Good Agfhan restaurant, the Helmand, and a Thai restaurant, Thai Arroy. Delicious. |