Interview: Division Day
LR: First off I’d like to know when and where you guys met, how Division
Day formed, and if either of you played in bands before? Were there any
earlier Division Day lineups that didn’t quite work out?
Rohner: Kevin and seb grew up together. They jammed on casios and toy drums
when they were like 3. I met them in middle school. We used to get
together and play crappy grunge covers and even crappier original
material. We played with this drummer guy whose mom would get us pizza
and we'd jump off the roof into his pool. It ruled. Kevin met ryan at
school, and then ryan moved into a house with the rest of us in the
summer of '01. Thus commenced our reign of blood and terror.
LR: Who writes the music? Is it a democratic process?
Rohner:
We all write the music, and it happens differently every time. This is
a bad idea because it takes forever. I advise developing a simple
formula like: TimJim, you think of words that rhyme with "corn."
MattCatt, you build a spotlight shaped like a game hen. Hoolihan, you
take care of "sonics." And Keith-Chad, make sure your eyeliner is
toppest meats. Viola: song done.
Ryan: It happens differently every time, which is sort of frustrating-
sometimes
I wish we had a simple formula, but we don't! We ultimately end up
creating songs that seem to be totally different from one another.
Sometimes I think that's really cool and sometimes I imagine it can be
frustrating for the listener, but ultimately I think we manage to sound
enough like us in order to pull it off.
LR: Your sound is pretty
hard to pin down because of all the balanced instrumentation and great
songwriting on the record, who or what would you say are some of your
most important influences?
Rohner: These are different for all of us, I'm sure…for me it's a house
that was always full of art and music when I was growing up, and a
piano
teacher who encouraged me to write my own weird songs. Black Sabbath,
Pink Floyd and Talking Heads knocked my head onto my ass when I was a
wee one. Lungfish scared me in 8th grade. Richard Buckner took me to
the hills. Boards of Canada quite literally rescued me from
psychochemical peril. It's all in there!
Ryan: For me, lately it's been a lot of Jesus and Mary Chain (Darklands esp), Bark Psychosis, and MBV
– I love how all of those artists know how to make something beautiful
out of waves of feedback and noise – they've definitely inspired me to
get a little but more loose on this record and explore some new guitar
tones. I just said "guitar tone" -yikes.
LR: What’s been you’re
interpretation in dealing with record labels and the music industry in
regards to getting this album out to the people?
Ryan: We
really started the process of recording Beartrap Island with the
intention of having a finished product that would be good enough for a
label to just pick up and put out – once we finished it, we were kind
of stuck in this place where we wanted people to hear it, but we didn't
want to go for a full self-release. These days, with bands like Tapes
n' Tapes, Birdmonster, and Clap Your Hands… self releasing their
records, I think the ante has definitely been raised for what a label
can expect a band to bring to the table in terms of gaining
self-exposure, touring, radio play etc. on their own.
LR: The
L.A. Music scene seems pretty segregated into smaller collectives of
bands that hang out together or consistently play gigs on the same
bill. Describe what the music scene is like for Division Day in Los
Angeles?
Rohner: Los Angeles has taken some serious getting
used to for me. At its worst, it's painfully style-conscious and
dilletantish, but at its best, it's an awesome network of cool folks
making cool shit, and all of them helping each other do it. We've met
and played with some amazing artists, and felt the camaraderie of
sloggin' away in the trenches with lots of other bands…most
importantly, we've made some great friends.
Ryan: I think as far as the band is concerned, we're definitely not
identifiably linked to any particular scene – we kind of just go where
the shows are. Personally, I'm really thankful to be in LA right now -
I think it's a pretty exciting time for music and it's only going to
get better.
LR: Beartrap Island was just recently released, how are people reacting to your album so far?
Rohner: The response has been great. It seems like peoples' reactions are
often multi-tiered, like "hey, cool! This is good!" and then later
"wow, I really like this song," and then "this has been in my car for
10 days!" or whatever. I think it takes a little time to sink in, the
whole thing. Or maybe it's just so way too long that people are like
"jeez…"
Ryan: My mom and dad like it! I think people have been
generally really positive about it – the blogosphere seems to dig it,
which is great. other than that, I think we'll just have to wait and
see once people realize that their cd's will self destruct after 10
plays.
LR: In the past 5 years or so there’s been a strong
tendency with bands blending genres and different eras of music. Where
do you see your music going after this record?
Rohner: Yeah…there is a lot of that going on. Before we know it kids will be
making nostalgic ought-rock. None of us can stop the stuff we grew up
on from coloring what we make, but some of the shameless aping I hear
these days sounds less like homage and more like opportunism. I just
want to keep looking for a way to write what naturally wants to come
out, but still push myself. The next D-Day record should be a
black-metal/dancehall record.
Ryan: Probably to vacation in the Bahamas.
LR: What have you guys been listening to lately?
Rohner: I've been listening to not nearly enough, mostly. Every few months I
go through a phase where my brain sort of needs a rest. I did cook to
the Pet Shop Boys recently, which was rad. The new National record is
pretty stellar. That Gnarls Barkley single is the best song of the year.
Ryan: Unrest, Walker Brothers, Clarence Carter, Liars, Sabbath, OMD, Lots of Gary Numan (!).
LR: Division Day have some of the coolest and most original flyers I’ve ever come across. Who comes up with these ideas?
Ryan: Thanks so much! That's awesome! I don't really know – Kevin, Rohner,
and I used to take turns doing designs, but now it's mostly Rohner –
any time you see what looks like Wade Boggs or Kyle McLachlan, that's
Rohner. If you see a rocket-duck or a duck running really quickly,
that's Kevin. I haven't done a flier in a long time, but mine are
usually hand drawn since I don't know how to use the computer.
LR: Any last shout-outs?
Rohner: PRIMOS!
Ryan: Think Sea Level – think Primos – Go Padres!
-Scott McDonald
Lavender Diamond: The Cavalry of Light EP
(Self-Released, 2005)
Lavender Diamond recorded this 4-song EP over a year ago, but it's never too late to review something so ear-catching and relevant as this band has become. Over the past couple of years Becky Stark and her talented minstrels have played L.A.'s Arthurfest, Arthurball, and performed numerous shows and residencies all over Los Angeles. This introductory CD is strong, original, and emanates a super-positive vibe over the entire sixteen minutes. Every song has this melancholic and endearing quality that brings to mind The Carpenters and Linda Ronstadt as Becky Stark belts out anthems of love and happiness. The opening track 'You Broke My Heart' is a triumphant ballad that hints at sadness but is musically joyful and positive with it's thumping drums and melodic chorus. 'In Heaven There is No Heat' reminded me of when I first watched Peter, Paul, & Mary sing on PBS as a child. The Cavalry of Light EP is a must-have for music fans looking for something more inspiring than your typical L.A. rock.
Great Northern: The Bats EP
(Self-Released, 2006)
Great Northern have already been polishing their chops as quite an amazing live band. Over half of the band was, or still is, in Earlimart. And as you can guess half of the tracks here really sound like lost b-sides to Treble and Tremble. Whatever, that's to be expected. When you share that much of your life traveling with a band it's not surprising that it may rub-off on your music. But the deciding factor in Great Northern's lovability and original take on indie rock is Rachel's voice and keyboard treatments. Vocals are the main focus with this band 'The Middle' is the lead-off track and is reminiscent of Electric Light Orchestra, a very warm-70's sounding vibe. 'Into the Sun' reminds me of those L.A. fossils That Dog with it's harmonious chorus, straight ahead rock guitars, and hand-claps aplenty. 'Our Bleeding Hearts' channels The Carpenters with it's melancholy piano and rich vocal delivery. The obvious musical drive of Great Northern is their ability to pull off some beautiful three-part vocal harmonies which add extra layers of sugar to each song. The Bats EP is a strong demonstration of talent and melody.
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