Disinterested in scenes and sick of
lazy comparisons, British band Editors are out to prove their music
will stand the test of time. With their stunning cinematic debut, The
Back Room backing up these claims, it seems the future of this band
from Birmingham is a bright one. Lifelounge's Dimitri caught up with
bass player Russell Leetch to find out about influences, inspiration
and other musical stuff.
First of all congratulations on the album, it's an amazing debut, how does the band feel about the end result?
It's
great; the whole process has been gradual, so there hasn't been a shock
moment. We're all exactly the same people as we were when we met 5
years ago, and since the band started three years ago, so it's just the
surroundings that change.
Did
you set out with a finished idea in mind or was the process of writing
and recording the album more organic and free flowing?
When
writing Tom creates a basic chord structure and vocal melody. We then
write the music by trying to produce melodies that counteract this,
whether it is a guitar line, keyboard or bass line. The creative
process is like a factory floor, we come back together in a room and
see if it works- if it doesn't we go back and try again, and if it
still doesn't happen then we chuck it in the bin.
I
heard you guys met at university, what were you all studying? What
would each of you be doing if you weren't playing in a band?
We
all studied music technology and completed it to varying degrees of
success. We actually went to university to meet like-minded people and
to form a band, so it has worked out very well. I'd like to work in
music in some form if not in a band; we all worked 9-5's whilst trying
to get a record deal and never want to go back to that, it wasn't for
us.
Has the
process from starting the band to releasing the album been a fairly
rapid one, and how long were you playing gigs before being signed by
Kitchenware?
After university we
moved to Birmingham and started taking the band as our main concern, we
wrote the album in the year it took from moving there to getting signed
and we played loads of gigs in and around Birmingham .
You
guys have created some stunningly dark and atmospheric yet quite
hopeful tracks, where does the inspiration for your music and lyrics
come from?
The music comes from
all of us and we try and make it as interesting as possible. Our
favourite bands, REM, Radiohead, Elbow obviously influenced us in our
sound and they are all atmospheric soulful bands, we can't do cheerful-
it's not sincere to us, it's easier for us to convey emotion the way we
write.
Was it
a conscious decision to create that new-wavey sound that has
experienced such resurgence of late, or is it something that has flowed
from within you all in a more unconscious manner?
We've
never thought ourselves as a scene band or involved with other bands.
We want to be a career band and stand the test of time as Editors on
our own two feet. It's more important for us to step up for our next
record and not think about anything else.
What
do you guys think about comments that label you as the offspring of
bands such as Joy Division and Echo and the Bunnymen? Do you resent
those comparisons or have those bands actually been influential to
Editors and your aural and visual aesthetic? How would you describe the
band and the music you produce?
Those
bands didn't influence us at all so we're not bothered. The comparisons
for us feel lazy from people so it gets really boring answering
questions about it. The music we make is textured, cinematic and
hopeful, I think the bands mentioned create very bleak music.
What do you think of the current rash of new wave bands such as Interpol that you have drawn comparisons with?
Interpol
are a great band, they are very different to ourselves as they tend to
write soundscapes rather than three minute pop songs. We haven't found
it a stumbling block to get compared to Interpol as people tend to see
the differences.
Are
you influenced or inspired by any other forms of art such as cinema or
fine art? What films or other art forms do you find inspirational in
particular?
I love watching films,
as it's such an escapist activity. I watched The Constant Gardener the
other day and it blew my mind, the way it interacted two storylines
into an utterly compelling film was genius!
What has been your most memorable travel destination?
Nashville , Tennessee , USA because we went for one gig and it took 3 travel days to do a terrible gig, we had an awful time.
And what about your most memorable gig?
I'd
say Glastonbury as it was our first ever festival gig, the torrential
rain had completely washed out the site and everyone was standing there
in the mud- a very real introduction to UK festivals.
What about as an audience member?
Terris,
Miri Madog festival, north Wales near Cwanaervon. This was their last
ever gig and they played with so much anger, frustration and energy
that it was the best gig I have ever seen and will most probably ever
see.
Have you heard about how the album has been received in Australia and do you know anything about the music scene here?
I've
heard it's gone down pretty well and yes we will be over very soon. The
only bands that I really like from Aus are Faker and Howling Bells.
Finally,
this issue of Lifelounge Magazine has a luxury theme – what do you
consider luxurious, and are there any luxuries associated with being a
signed and touring act?
I think
it's just luxurious to relax at home. I'm not bothered about material
things apart from CDs and records, as I'm a collector of those, however
I don't think they are necessarily material as they contain music, and
that's universal. The perk for being in a band for me is that we get
sent a lot of music which is ace.