Around the time of Antics [2004] your stage persona was very much inline with the music: atmospheric, brooding, serious. Eight years later there was lots of smiling and laughter. What changed for you? davetinsel
Daniel Kessler [guitar, backing vocals]: I feel like the brooding, serious stuff is still there, but I’ve learned to take into account the craziness and privilege of playing music, people coming to the concerts and having a reaction. You start to really appreciate that connection, which is happening in real time.
Paul Banks [vocals, guitar]: On our first tour especially, I think I had a chip on my shoulder about any criticism we encountered, so it was a little bit us vs them. But it’s not a pressure situation now. It feels like a party. Giving a toast at dinner or something, there’s this social pressure to be fun or relatable. But performing in a rock band I always feel like the authority on my own lyrics, so that whichever way I choose to deliver them is the right way. I always felt relaxed on stage … much less so off stage, probably.
What’s your fondest memory from recording or touring Antics? Monica_
PB: The record had leaked and some fans in Spain came up to us talking about it. Having people hear your unreleased record isn’t usually good news, but it was to me because we were on our second record and I could feel this building energy.
DK: We recorded it in Connecticut and were right up to the deadline if we wanted it to be released on time. Matador sent a limousine to get us back to New York for mastering at 9am. We had six or seven hours to master it and sequenced the track listing in the car – remarkably, we all agreed, so the last two hours of the drive were very enjoyable.
PB: Limo well spent!
