Exclusive Interview: Art Brut

DeadJournalist.com Exclusive Interview: Art Brut
by Chuck Norton
10.19.09

In 2005, I couldn’t stop listening to or playing Art Brut. They stood, no, jumped out from typical indie-folk or dance-punk that was standard issue in the mid-2000′s.

Now, almost five years later, after releasing their third album earlier this year, Art Brut Vs. Satan, the band has further solidified their place as one of the most distinctive artists of the decade.

Formed in 2003, the band is lead by its vocalist and song writer, Eddie Argos. Know for their entertaining live shows, frank and personal lyrics and Argos’ vocals, Art Brut released their first full length album, Bang Bang Rock ‘n Roll, in 2005. The band released It’s Complicated, in 2007 before changing record labels for their most recent album.

Comprised of Argos, Ian Catskilkin, Jasper “Jeff” Future, Freddy Feedback and Mikey Breyer, the band began recording Art Brut Vs. Satan in 2008; with the album produced by legendary artist Frank Black (Black Frances).

Art Brut is currently on tour in North America, including a 10.20.09 show at The Earl in Atlanta.

Upcoming Tour Dates
10/20 – The Earl – Atlanta, GA
10/21 – Club Downunder – Tallahassee, FL
10/22 – Bottletree – Birmingham, AL
10/23 – Spanish Moon – Baton Rouge, LA
10/25 – Mohawk – Austin, TX
10/28 – Casbah – San Diego, CA
10/29 – The Glass House – Pomona, CA
10/30 – Café Du Nord – San Francisco, CA
11/2 – Neumos – Seattle, WA
11/3 – The Biltmore – Vancouver, BC
11/5 – Urban Lounge, Salt Lake City, UT
11/6 – Bluebird Theater – Denver, CO
11/7 – Bottleneck, Lawrence, KS
11/9 – Triple Rock – Minneapolis, MN
11/10 – Lincoln Hall – Chicago, IL
11/15 – Bowery Ballroom – New York, NY

For more information on the band, visit their Web site, www.artbrut.org.uk.

DeadJournalist.com is proud to bring you this exclusive interview with Eddie Argos of Art Brut.

What are you most looking forward to with your return to the States? Is there a town or venue in which you are most looking forward to performing?

EA: Nope, I like them all the same. I really enjoy touring America.

Your latest album, Art Brut vs. Satan, was released in late Spring ‘09. Walk us through the recording of the album – how did the writing and recording process differ for this album compared to your previous ones?

EA: The writing process was the same. We just got together and I put some words on their music. Recording was very different for the first time we all stood in a room together and played at the same time as opposed to tracking everything. I much prefer this way of recording I have a very short attention span.

Frank Black aka Black Francis, a noted fan of the band since the early days, produced the album. Talk a bit about what it was like working with him. How did he influence the final version of the album?

EA: It was loads of fun working with Black Francis. The fact that he liked our songs gave us a lot of confidence, too. I really liked his way of recording everything in only one or two takes no overdubs any advice he gave on the structure of a song was always spot on too. I don’t think we would have written an eight minute song if he hadn’t been there. 

Is there a song that carries more favor with the band? Has this changed since the initial recording process?

EA: It changes all the time. “The Passenger” is a lot of fun to play live.

Is “The Replacements” an autobiographical song? If so, do you have a favorite album? Have you since had the opportunity to meet Paul Westerburg or Tommy Stinson? 

EA: Yes, I love The Replacements. No, I haven’t met any of them.

Now that you’re three full-length albums into Art Brut; has there been any one thing that your success has allowed you, that you didn’t previously think possible?

EA: We got taken on a tour of DC Comics that was pretty ace.

Given the band has such a distinctive sound, do you find that it makes creating new material more challenging? Or do you just let the natural evolution of the band’s song dictate your work? 

EA: We just do what we do, we’re not organized enough to have a plan.

Are you working on new material for a new album? If so, has time-table for its release been bandied about?

EA: We’re always writing. I hope the next one can be out by next summer

Which do you enjoy more, performing live or writing and recording?

EA: I like them all in different ways. I’ve always enjoyed writing but part of the fun of that is knowing your going to perform it. My least favourite aspect used to be recording. Having to sing the same things over and over again but obviously recording was loads of fun this time with most of it sung in one take. I really enjoy all aspects of being in a band.

For the band, what is the most important aspect of a live performance for?

EA: We all enjoy playing live. i think the most important aspect is to have fun.

In previous tour have you had a tour stop where you were surprised at the turn out or fan base support?

EA: We were surprised anyone was there at all on our first tour of the States. Especially that a lot of people seemed to know the words especially considering that we hadn’t released anything over there yet.

What is the most bizarre event that has occurred to you while on tour?

EA: We once played at Haverford College in Philadelphia. After wards we ended up going to a frat party and doing keg stands. that was quite surreal everybody kept saying how they didn’t normally act like they were in the film Animal House but that they were being ironic. I didn’t mind even ironic drinking gets you drunk.

In the ever-changing technological landscape are you finding that you are reliant on social networking site, Twitter, etc. to stay in touch with friends and family and market to fans? 

EA: Yes, but obviously with my friends and families I also have their phone numbers and I think reliant is the wrong word I enjoy chatting with people on the Internet.

How difficult is it to find a point of differentiation between the band and your personal lives?

EA: Its probably a bit harder for me than the rest of the band as some of our songs have very personal lyrics. I quite like the crossover though when I chat to people after we have played there is more of a connection it is like having a lot of friends.

Is there an artist that you’ve encountered recently that you’ve been recommending to your friends?

EA: The Replacements.

What were you listening to in 1999?

EA: Pretty much exclusively the British band Hefner.

Which do you prefer: MP3, CD, Tape or Vinyl?

EA: It is not important. I enjoy music not the format it comes in.

If you weren’t in a band, what do you think you’d be doing?

EA: I would be in a band. I’ve always been in bands. I would probably also be doing my old job working as a support worker with people with mental health issues. I liked it a lot.

One Drink; One Movie; One Album:

EA: Vodka Cranberry with a dash of soda, Ghostbusters, Sunset Tree by The Mountain Goats.

Editor’s Note: This is the first interview in the new platform. It will most likely be replicated in the older template as well.