| 
Interview with Amy Millan of Stars:
Can
you explain the reasoning / decision behind releasing In Our Bedroom
After the War digitally so soon after the completion of the recording?
The atmosphere of releasing records right now is tenuous at
best. There are those looking behind and those looking ahead. Some trying
to stop what’s happening (impossible) but anyone with any initiative
knows its time to come up with creative ways of getting the listener
to support the music. We thought it would be an interesting experiment
in dealing with the inevitable leak of the record.
That
being said, is there anything you would do different, or have learned
from the unique marketing/release of IOBATW?
Yes,
but it’s a secret.
Can
you describe the song writing/creative process, and how/if that has
changed since 2005's Set Yourself on Fire?
We used
to write a lot more on the computer. We approached this record from
a much more live standpoint. We wanted a bit more ruckus. I think we
made our big rock record and now we are going to go back in time a little
and experiment with programmed beats again for the next project.
Will
you comment on the title of the album (IOBATW), and also the intriguing
opening track, "The Beginning After the End"?
We went
through a tumultuous time as a band during the touring of set yourself
on fire. That opening track was the first song Evan and Chris wrote
for what came to be bedroom. Some of us weren’t sure
if there was going to be a next record so it kind of felt like a triumph
being in a bedroom making music together again.
The title itself I think of as a kind of hopeful meditation to send
out there. To bring the end of war closer. No matter which war it is.
There
seems to be a political edge to some of your music. If so, can you comment
on the importance of politics in your music?
We all grew up with parents who were active in the political community,
whether it was campaigning or attending protests. It isn’t a conscience
decision I don’t think. The frustration we have with the hypocrisy
of those that are suppose to be leading sometimes end up as lyrics.
But overall I would say that Bedroom has far less of a political bend
then Set yourself did.
How has your reception been in the States and Europe, and does
the ability to sell out bigger venues change your perception of the
tour or being on the road?
Of course, yah. If you don’t feel like you are advancing it can
be depressing. Knowing that all our time spent being really broke, sleeping
six to a hotel room and opening for bands who’s crew treated us
like shit has finally started to pay off makes things a little easier.
I’m still in a can with a bunch of stinky boys, but at least we
know the shows are going to be great.
Finally – this being a website dedicated to mix tapes,
is there are there any particular artists that make it into rotation
while on the road?
We travel with a portable record player so vinyl is what we’ve
got going on. We listen to a lot of 50s soul music and The Smiths.
Can you offer 10 songs or artists that have influenced
the bands creative process along the way?
Air
De la Soul
Converge
Apostle of Hustle
The go betweens
Beethoven
Lloyd Cole
Billy Holiday
The Cars
Junior Boys
-------------------------------------------
VISIT
STARS ON MYSPACE
PREVIEW
STARS ON 
Interview
By MMT, April 2008
|