From their humble beginnings as an obscure San Francisco noise act, Deerhoof have become one of indie music’s most influential bands with their ecstatic and unruly take on pop.
One of the most unlikely success stories in contemporary music, Deerhoof have made some of the most difficult and unclassifiable noise of the mid-nineties, before unexpectedly rising to international prominence as one of indie rock’s most renowned and influential groups.
They have influenced the sound of many of their contemporaries, including The Flaming Lips, Xiu Xiu, Dirty Projectors, Ponytail, Of Montreal and St. Vincent.
Deerhoof return to Australia on the back for their twelfth self-produced release “Breakup Song”, asensational slice of Cuban-flavored partynoise-energy music.
Tell us about the ever-changing music scene in San Francisco?
When we lived there San Francisco had every kind of music you could imagine in its underground. Even though we don’t live there anymore we bump into SF friends at festivals. I’m proud to see how people like John Dwyer or Mark Gerghis have grown their beans into trees.
Your music has been compared to The Flaming Lips, Xiu Xiu, Dirty Projectors and countless others. What kind of musicians inspire you?
I’m inspired by sexy musicians. People who savor the push and pull of forces and tension in notes and rhythm.
‘Fess up. What records have you stolen from your parent’s record collection and why?
So many. Every time I’m at their house I put their great records on and they say “oh what a great record, why don’t we listen to this more?” and then they tell me to take it. Mercedes Sosa.
How are you preparing for your trip down under? Is there anything you’re looking forward to seeing/doing?
Haha, I get it, you think we’re coming on vacation, that’s awesome. I look forward to meeting Australians.
You guys have been releasing records at a constant rate since you The Man, The King, The Girl. What inspires you to keep writing and where does the urge come from?
I don’t know but it’s definitely not logic or good sense. It is an urge like you say, to build things and destroy things. Always wanting to challenge ourselves and be wild.
You’re all living in different places right now. How does signwriting and rehearsing pan out?
The songwriting is a little smoother. We never worked that well together. So each person writes their own songs and when we get together we quickly learn how to play them. We’re like a Deerhoof cover band.
Because it’s more fun to do things together, which living Australian artist would you most like to collaborate with? Tell us why?
I was always pretty fond of Macromantics.
What is your band’s music the best soundtrack for?
I think about that question a lot actually. I think we’re the best soundtrack for being in a club watching a band play on stage. That’s the movie I try to picture in my head when I write a song.
What’s on heavy rotation on your iPod right now?
Mostly John Williams. Speaking of soundtracks. The strength of his themes, the lushness of the harmony, there’s so much to learn from there.
Deerhoof’s Australian tour kicks off next week. Breakup Song, the band’s 12th release is out now.
Deerhoof 2013 Australian Tour
FRIDAY 1st MARCH – THE ZOO – BRISBANE*
Tickets via oztix.com.au
SATURDAY 2nd MARCH –THE ANNANDALE – SYDNEY**
Tickets via moshtix.com.au
SUNDAY 3RD MARCH – SCHOOLHOUSE STUDIOS – MELBOURNE**
Tickets via moshtix.com.au
WEDNESDAY 6TH MARCH– ADELAIDE FESTIVAL – ADELAIDE***
Tickets via adelaidefestival.com.au
