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http://theindiegirlsguideto.com/2009/03/16/interview-liela-the-duke-spirit/The Duke Spirit
Q and A with Liela Moss
Q: Where are you right now and what were you just doing? I am in my bed in London, i just got in from Paris late last night. Now I'm drinking tea.
Q: For those new to The Duke Spirit how would you describe your sound? We are a sensual rock and roll band, who like to write songs that can make us tearful with either moody wonder, or ecstatic hotness. Loud and quiet, so keep an open mind.
Q: TDS have had a busy past 12 months since the release of Neptune. What have been some of the highlights for you? Playing the Park stage at Glastonbury...Our outdoor show at a museum in Los Angeles... Headlining the Roxy on Sunset Strip...Our recent Berlin show was great, I remember the huge mirrorball in the old dance hall venue...playing the US TV shows like Conan and Letterman...Touring with Eagles of Death Metal, singing on stage with them and Josh Homme...Meeting Jerry Lee Lewis, Mick Jagger and Ronnie Wood. Oh, and we played a festival that was headlined by The Raconteurs and then Bob Dylan, all of which we watched from the roof of our dressing room, sat drinking moonshine. It was a trip!
Q: You recently released a record in America through Target in conjunction with an Alexander McQueen for Target fashion collection, of which you were the inspiration, how do you see the correlation between fashion and music? Designers and Musicians are people who explore a material, tangible or audible reality to discover new ways of seeing and thinking. They are both the kind of poeple to stop and to wonder why, and try to reach another level of experience, to intensify life. Added to which, bands have historically enjoyed the code of an 'image' - distinguishing themselves from the masses to mystify what it is they do and create a mythology around the 'gang' of the band. Both search for a glorious, outward 'untouchability', even if that was created out of real poverty. Bands have shirked the elitism of high fashion, and found chepaer, self-styled bohemia or been given things from designers because they themselves have been the inspiration of the work.
Q: As an avid concert goer (and a DIY designer) I am often as fascinated by what an artist is going to wear on stage, as I am by what songs they are going to play. Is there much of a “what am I going to wear?” dilemma happening backstage? Do the outfits you wear inform your performance to any extent? YES! I can feel so free and powerful in the things I have put together. Some things seem to propell me forward...I oscillate between having some outfits I adore and wear to death to then suddenly flapping around cursing that I dont have anything new - usually after several weeks on the road where everything I know that works is stinking, ripped or has red wine down the front.
Q: Neptune was released here in Australia on local label Speak N Spell / Etch N Sketch, how did you come to be on their label? We've been friends for about 5 years! They wanted to sign us way back when but our label at that time wouldnt license it to them. Goddamn bureaucracy.
Q: You are finally coming to Australia next month for the first time (“yippee”), what can we expect from The Duke Spirit live experience? Oh well, if you are there, you will be sharing the thunder and lightning, basking in the glory of expanded experience, your ears will be sipping the visceral yet spiritually connective, unpretentious elixir of British punk rock.
Q: Do you have a favourite song to play live? I enjoy the songs with Harmoinca on them, and This Ship Was Built To Last, it undulates and pulls me along from some invisible umbilical chord. Most enjoyable.
Q: Are you looking forward to doing/seeing anything in particular during your time down under? I am going to illegally adopt a Koala and bring it back to live here with me, where it will learn to use email and help me with these long lovely email interviews.
Q: What’s your favourite pastime, other than music? Yoga. Writing and reading random subjects. Dressing up.
Q: What records are you listening to at the moment? Leonard Cohen and Marylin Manson best of. Thats a bit of a heavy combo. Jeez, think I'd better mix in something a little more pop by dinner time.
10:57
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