Stage of the Art

— Most of the titles of your songs available on your MySpace (Submarine, Down By The Water, Let's Go Surfing…) are talking about water. Are you born under the sign of fish ?

Well, those songs were all written for our SUMMERTIME! EP with which we decided to really go after a sort of more summery, beachy sound. To be blatant about summer, I guess. All that changes on the full length, which we just finished this week !

—
More seriously, your band and the music you play have been described as a great synthesis of surf culture from 50s & 60s and cold wave from 80s. Among your musical influences, you quote as well The Shangri-Las than Joy Division… Is there one band or artist you could name who influenced you?

The Shangri-Las, The Smiths, Joy Division, Orange Juice, Beat Happening, The Field Mice, The Ronettes.


— What is your playlist of the moment ?

• 
JJ - Are You Still In Valda

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• This song is a classic about lost love. "So tell me my love, are you still in Valda... like ten summers ago". Heartbreaking.


• 
Orange Juice - Simply Thrilled Honey

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• It’s a perfectly incomplete-sounding song with a tiny, but perfect chorus. They were masters of odd perfection.


— What is your best 2009’s record ?


I don't think 2009 was such a good year for albums, but I guess off the top of my head it would be JJ's debut album. I think it's called No. 2. And there is the Smith Westerns debut album. They have this song on it called "Tonight" that I think is perfect.

— Could you live elsewhere than Brooklyn ? Where ? How could you explain it’s artistically so creative in Brooklyn ? Do you have the feeling there is a big scene of upcoming bands there ? Where else ?


I could easily move into Manhattan. I am not glued to Brooklyn. I wouldn't mind living in Berlin for a while. Iceland also has its charms. Brooklyn is a hub of creative activity, although I don't really get too excited about most of the music that comes out of Brooklyn. A lot of it is too edgy and hip for my tastes. I am drawn to classic song writing.

—
Next February, you come to visit us for your first European tour.
How do you imagine that and do you have a specific approach of the stage ?


Yes, and we are excited to play our first show in Paris. Really for our stage show, we just try to do the same thing we do in every area of the band and that is to be completely selfish. Only that way you are being generous. We will go wild and give ourselves to the songs.

—
How is your band perceived in the United States ?


I'm not sure. Reception has been good, I think. America is currently very into hard rock and hip-hop, I believe. But I also think things are changing. The Drums will bring back The Song. In the past 10 years, music has been about production getting the right producers etc, and we have lost The Song. It's time for a change.

— Who would you like to collaborate with ?

No one at the moment. We are too far into our own world.

—How did you first meet Hedi ?

We were in LA playing a string of shows a couple months ago, and Hedi gave us a ring and said he loved the band and wanted to shoot us. He is a great guy and we were happy to take photos with him.

—
Do you recognize yourselves in the aesthetic developed by Hedi in his pictures and his work in general ?


Well, when I look at Hedi's photos everything is black and white so it is sort of hard to tell, as we tend to never just wear black and white. I do think Hedi is drawn to sincerity in both his photos and his life and we as band are drawn to that too. I think The Drums and Hedi have a good sense of "Classic".

—How did you perceive Hedi’s work and approach at the time he discovered Doherty and Franz Ferdinand ?

I have not seen enough to comment on his work at that time. It was obviously very important. I have a lot of friends who are very into Hedi Slimane and all he does, but I am just getting familiar now, and have really just been busy my whole life writing songs and keeping to myself.

— Is it important for you to be supported by such an international fashion icon ?


It is very flattering. Hedi's work is outstanding so to be a part of what he is excited about can only make one glad.

— Your video ‘ Let’s Go Surfin’ is very simple but so efficient ! Was it a choice or just a question of budget ? Could you tell us more about David Fishel, the director ?

We only had $300 to make the video, so we hired a cameraman and we came up with all the ideas. David Fishel was a friend who helped us put it all together. I don't know what David is up to now. I think he is making more videos.

Directed by David Fishel.

— What are your favourite videos ?

I think the Smiths had some great videos filled with odd pleasures.
 
As far as modern bands go, I think every single Sigur Ros video has been unbelievable and impacting.

— I think Jacob is running a label could you present it and it’s main releases ?

Jacob has an online label called Holiday Records. The premise is giving away free mp3's by indie bands that he comes across online. He only releases things that he believes in and they are all free for download. There are a few bands that have gained great success from releasing on Holiday Records, most notably Surfer Blood. It's a little early to talk about, but The Drums are working on something special for Holiday Records. It is a very exciting time.

• Surfer Blood - harmonix

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• Surfer blood - Swim (to reach the end)

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— Can we define The Drums as a romantic rock band ?

A Romantic Rock N' Roll band, Yes.