Natalie Ribbons discusses her new band Tele Novella, some of the more unfortunate aspects of the music industry and even wrangles us a critter
Hey, so you remember Sacramento’s Natalie Gordon (aka Natalie Ribbons)? Beautiful lady with bright red hair? Sang and played guitar with Agent Ribbons? Well, she moved to Texas and she’s in a brand new band called Tele Novella with a couple members of Voxtrot. And I think her hair’s brown now. Anyway, the band—Gordon (guitar/vocals); Jason Chronis (bass/vocals); Sarah La Puerta (keyboards) and Matt Simon (drums)—plays some really interesting, sophisticated and moody pop music that’s sort of like Peggy Lee with a bit of British Invasion or something. Their music reminds me of Mad Men if the entire advertising agency was on acid and New York City was haunted by slutty, curious and ultimately friendly ghosts. Their new EP Cosmic Dial Tone combines Gordon’s raspy “man voice” (her words) with some really intimate and, at times, creepy-ish rhythms. Songs like “Don’t Be a Stranger,” are characterized by unbreakable melodies, fuzzy bass and lyrics that taunt the listener into feeling a bunch of tingly feelings (“When I’m low/ I try to say “hello”/ to people on/ the street that I don’t know/ It’s difficult when there’s so many faces to remember/ But if the world is going to end/ please, don’t be a stranger.”). Tele Novella transports the listener to a time reminiscent of the past, but doesn’t actually exist yet. And, more importantly, they make music that manages to get under the listener’s skin and stay there for quite some time. So, in preparation for their upcoming West Coast Tour, Gordon answered a few questions for Submerge. Spoiler alert: She says “fuck” a lot. And halfway through the interview (in one of the most Texas moments to ever grace the pages of this humble magazine), she catches a lizard with her bare hands.
So is there any difference between Austin and Sacramento?
Nope. It’s exactly the same.
Good, that’s what I thought.
No, I was really reticent to leave Sacramento and it bums me out in a lot of ways, but for me, personally, what I was trying to accomplish, it was definitely the best thing I ever did.
In terms of music?
Yeah, I really thought I was doing a lot more than I actually was when I was there and then I moved here and got completely beaten down by the realities of life and realized I had to start working a lot harder. So I feel like I’m working 10-times harder with Tele Novella than I was with Agent Ribbons.
What do you mean “beaten down?”
There’s just so much competition and nobody gives a shit. Success has absolutely nothing to do with—well, I guess it has something to do with ability and quality of songwriting and stuff to some limited extent, but it’s really, completely just like who you know and how much money you have to put in to promoting what you’re doing.
So it’s like everything else?
Exactly. It’s just like politics or whatever. I don’t know. I feel like I’m learning to be a smarter businessperson, even though that kind of grosses me out. It really is a lot like politics in some fucked up way. My step-dad just ran for County Supervisor in Sacramento and he’s been running for different offices in Sacramento since 1996 and he finally won. Just seeing all the stupid games he has to play and pandering to people that will fund his campaign it sadly reminds me of the music industry.
And writing, too. It’s the same shit. So your step-dad’s a supervisor now?
Yeah.
I should really keep up with that stuff.
A lizard!
What?
I just caught a lizard. It’s a little anole.
That was such a Texas moment right there. I’m glad that happened.
The lizards here are slower here than in California.
Are they fat because they’re Texans?
No, no. They’re just not as sprightly. I remember trying to catch lizards all the time in Napa Valley and stuff when I was there visiting and there was just no way in hell, but here I catch lizards all the time. Toads, too. There’s big fat toads all over the place. And every type of bug that you can ever imagine is constantly in your house no matter what you do.
That sounds horrible. Like spiders?
Spiders, a huge array of different types of cockroaches that I didn’t even know existed. Huge ants. The ants are gigantic here. And they bite you.
Is that because you’re poor or does everyone experience the bugs like that?
Poor people get bitten by ants more often than rich people. That’s a fact.
I’ve seen you guys in Spin and in other publications. Is it exciting to see your stuff being broadcasted outside of your little circles?
Yeah, it’s exciting. I don’t think that’s really happening all that much right now. The publicity is not very palpable. Where it really helps is getting better shows where people will see us. It’s the booking agents that are impressed by Spin and USA Today and shit like that. They see that and they take us seriously and they give us a guarantee instead of saying, “Fuck you,” and we actually play with bands that are not shitty. And we make fans.
Tele Novella is more technically sound and complex than Agent Ribbons. You think so?
I would agree. I think it’s a lot more thought out, whereas things were a little bit more random and thrown together than with my old band. But there’s—for at least the time being—a lot less raw energy in it. And I think it’s because when I suddenly had the opportunity to work with all these people that were far more proficient at their instruments than I was, I got more serious. And I think that after this tour I’m going to write some material that feels a little bit more fun to perform for me. But it’s been a really interesting experiment to put in these more little baroque parts and challenge myself a little bit more than I have been previously.
So are your shows different then?
Yeah, they’re a lot more stressful! People expect me to not fuck up, whereas I would fuck up all the time before and nobody really cared because they kind of expected me to fuck up. We were just really sloppy before, but it was kind of more fun that way. It’s still fun, but it’s just really stressful because everyone in my band is a serious musician and they’re really good at what they do, and I still don’t even know the name of any of the chords. And it freaks me out.
Did you ever hear the shitty things people said about Agent Ribbons?
That was seriously the worst. I was so sensitive then. Now I’m tougher than I used to be. But living [in Sacramento]—Jesus Christ. People were really venomous to us. There were so many people that hated me for no reason and said so many truly cruel things about both Lauren and I. It really fucked with my head and turned me into a really paranoid person. I didn’t trust people. You know how it is.
But I think you have a seriously rabid super fan who lives here. They’ll still email me and tell me to fuck off for not writing about you.
That’s so crazy. And really funny. I think there’s like two of them.
Yeah, they’re insane. They’ll email me shit like, “How dare you write about rap music when Natalie Ribbons exists?!”
That’s so humiliating. You know, there’s one guy that actually totally helps us. I didn’t think that anyone would ever listen to that guy, but he wrote to a really big blogger guy and the guy ended up liking us a lot and writing about us and we sold a lot of music and ended up getting a whole spread in Bust Magazine because of it. And it was just from him writing and complaining that they weren’t writing about us.
That’s probably the same guy. That’s cool, though. As long as he doesn’t stalk and kill you someday.
Exactly. That’s the other end of the sword, for sure.
So you guys are about to tour. What’s that going to be like?
I love it. I am really antsy to get out of here. This is going to be our best tour ever.
Why do you say that??
Because I’m really excited about a lot of the shows we’re playing, like, the people that we’re playing with. I’m really excited to play with Shannon and the Clams in Sacramento because they’re just a fun, raucous group of people. And I’m excited to play with Silver Shadows, and I’m excited to play with Psychomagic. And this time we have guarantees that will furnish hotels in the event that we need that. So there will be no desperation and sadness on this tour.
And last minute couches in shitty houses.
And pee-pee cat blankets.
Give Natalie a warm hometown reception when she returns to Sacramento with Tele Novella to play Witch Room on Sept. 1, 2014. Also performing will be the aforementioned Shannon and the Clams as well as Silver Spoons and DJ Roger Carpio. The show starts at 9 p.m. and has an $8 cover. Check out Witchroomsac.com for more details.
Valentine’s Day: Love it or hate it?
I love Valentine’s Day because my grandparents send me funny little cards with cartoons on them, and there’s always five bucks inside! I’m glad that some things never change.
What motivates you more to write music: love or hate?
I would say that I’m motivated across the board by love. However, I enjoy writing songs from the perspective of the sad or vengeful lover since it’s easier to be funny or creative with that kind of premise. Most of my songs are dark and kind of twisted, and I find that more entertaining than writing about how in love I am!
Do you have a funny V-Day story?
In high school, I had a boyfriend that made me a silver Green Lantern ring for V-Day. Also, when I was in elementary school, my dad dropped off a bouquet of roses for the school secretary—Ms. Johnson—to deliver to my classroom. She had to interrupt our lesson in order to put it on my desk, and everyone teased me long after. They said that Ms. Johnson and I were in love.
Valentine’s Day: Love it or hate it?
Love it, it’s pretty much a for sure night that you’ll get laid. Or at least eat a bomb dinner somewhere and get drunk!
What motivates you more to write music: love or hate?
For me it’s hard to write a bunch of love songs about the same girl. So, I think it’s easier to write hate-type songs. I try hard to not write songs about girls, though”¦ Everyone does that. The new album only has about three out of 12 songs about the ladies on it.
Valentine’s Day: Love it or hate it?
I hate it, because it is a holiday that was made up for corporate BS, to make money. Capitalism sucks.
What motivates you more to write music: love or hate?
Neither, there are way more things in the whole wide world that have way more substance and meaning then love or hate, like trees, flowers, oil and war. And outer space. And war in outer space. Galactic War.
Do you have a funny V-Day story?
Box of chocolates, blah blah blah. Who cares?
Valentine’s Day: Love it or hate it?
I guess I like it, wouldn’t say I love it though. I like it ’cause it’s just a cool day to kick it with your girl and any problems or whatever you go through, you forget about them that day and your focus is on the one you’re with.
What motivates you more to write music: love or hate?
Definitely hate. Without hate all you would have is people just happy with the way things are, and that’s not me. I’m not happy with the way some things are, and I’d rather fight for what I believe in.
Do you have a funny V-Day story?
This one time, at band camp”¦
Valentine’s Day: Love it or hate it?
I wouldn’t say that I love it, but I definitely don’t hate it. It’s just a good excuse to throw a tie on and act like a baller. Well that is if you have a date of course.
What motivates you more to write music: love or hate?
I’m not a big fan of hate, so I would have to say love. But I probably have written a few songs while I was pissed off so you can call it what you want. Love makes everything better and music is no exception.
Do you have a funny V-Day story?
A few years back neither my friend nor myself had a date for V-Day so we thought we would just hang out. I had the bright idea to go to drive-in movies with him on the most romantic night of the year. So there we where surrounded by a bunch of cars full of guys and girls all trying to get some action. It wasn’t till our windows were fogged up that we realized maybe two straight dudes in a steamy car wasn’t the best way to pick up on chicks that night. Pretty embarrassing. I think we turned a few heads.
Valentine’s Day: Love it or hate it?
We all agree [the whole band] that it depends: If we are dating it is a great night out, lots of fun. If we are committed, V-Day can be a nice reminder of how much you love your honey or a sick reminder of how corporate America has made love a commodity. If you’re single, usually it is depressing!
What motivates you more to write music: love or hate?
Everything outside the norm! Love can really get some rocking tunes out of us where as depression, hate and fear push for a more relatable song for a fan. More people notice the bad emotions over the good, creating a want to hear that you are not the only one feeling a specific emotion or being in an irregular situation.
Do you have a funny V-Day story?
My senior year, I asked a guy to homecoming and he said yes just to say no two days before the dance. Well, after high school, he and I got together and three years later for V-Day he decorated our garage like our senior homecoming and took me to the dance! We’ve been together for six and a half years now.
Valentine’s Day: Love it or hate it?
I love any excuse to appreciate people I adore, eat too much sugar and wear red. Those candy hearts with the writing on them are so tasty, especially the purple and white ones! And flowers, you get flowers! I might add, though, that every day should be treated like a truly special occasion and that love should be expressed consistently, not just when Hallmark, See’s Candy and jewelry stores unite to tell us we should.
What motivates you more to write music: love or hate?
Well, I think that hate is maybe just another form of love. Perhaps the truest opposite of love is apathy since one has to actually care about someone else to hate him or her. The human experience in general motivates me to write me music, every loving moment of it.
Do you have a funny V-Day story?
Well oddly enough, the only time I’ve ever had a special someone on Valentine’s Day, we parted ways. My valentines have always been the many loves of my life: My family and circle of friends.
Valentine’s Day: Love it or hate it?
While I definitely don’t have any strong love for the holiday, I do appreciate the irony of it. The fact that a pagan festival celebrating fertility has slowly morphed into one of the most consumer oriented and materialistic holidays under the guise of proving one’s “love” is endlessly hilarious to me. Luckily all the girlfriends I’ve had have been cool enough not to give a damn about chocolates or teddy bears.
What motivates you more to write music: love or hate?
I’m probably guilty of writing a couple hate-based songs back when I played metal. These days I find love to be much more of an inspiration lyrically. I can’t write love songs about boys and girls, but I write about loving dirt and furry creatures and the like. I am also fascinated with the many ways love can manifest, how it can be used to hurt as well as heal, and how something as beautiful as love can be twisted to make people do terrible, horrific things.
Do you have a funny V-Day story?
We had an anti-Valentine’s Day party once. It resulted in several fistfights, random hook-ups, naked dancing to Beyonce, and eventually one of our friends being tied to a chair.
I thought it was funny.
Valentine’s Day: Love it or hate it?
Love it! But not for the reasons everyone else does, I guess. I think it should be about all sorts of love, so that’s how I look at it. Family, friends, romantic, or even the love we should extend to strangers.
What motivates you more to write music: love or hate?
Most of my songs definitely center on the love of something, whether it’s a person, a thing or just life in general. I’m definitely not a person who can relate to the feeling of hatred. Love is just something I’m more in touch with, and it’s something I’m much more inclined to share.
Do you have a funny V-Day story?
I used to not celebrate it in high school, because I had such hard feelings about the day. I had not had much luck in the guy department up to that point. It was very Meg Ryan of me. I used to just sit in bed with a bag of Pirate’s Booty, watching old movies instead.
Valentine’s Day: Love it or hate it?
I love Valentine’s Day because I’m the type of girl that loves to spoil the person I care most about in this world. Plus it’s another reason to go to Victoria’s Secret!
What motivates you more to write music: love or hate?
Mostly hate motivates me more when it comes to writing music. It’s a way for me to get any frustrations or bad memories out of my system and the resolution becomes the song itself.
Do you have a funny V-Day story?
Well it didn’t happen on V-Day, but it is a funny story that has to do with love. In the beginning of our relationship, my boyfriend wanted to make the first time we had sex very special. He planned this romantic night and made me wait in the other room while he set up the bedroom. He had rose petals all over his bed, great contrast to the white comforter of course. This was the first time for both of us having sex on a bed with rose petals, well there were hot candles all around and it was some hot sex. The petals sort of melted. Don’t ask me how! But when we were done we got up and his white comforter and sheets had pink and red all over it and the petals were not so pretty anymore.
Valentine’s Day: Love it or hate it?
It really takes a lot to inflict such powerful emotions like love and hate for me”¦a lot more than a holiday. But really, hate is a useless emotion anyways, so I try and let go of it as quickly as possible.
What motivates you more to write music: love or hate?
I believe music tells a story, and it transforms experience. Love and hate usually play a role in all our lives, so it will always be reflected in music. I don’t usually find much inspiration in hate and I’d rather ponder on the beautiful things of life.
Do you have a funny V-Day story?
One time I dressed as a giant heart and walked up and down the mall yelling for people to, “Mind the ways of the olden days,” and, “Don’t take your time and life for granted,” and. “Eat fiber,” and, “Squirrels have feelings too.” I guess everyone found all of this extremely offensive, especially on such a sacred and beloved holiday such as Valentine’s Day. The great Richard Valentine himself was stirring in his grave while I was taken out of the mall in handcuffs. And all I really wanted was a date for the night.
Valentine’s Day: Love it or hate it?
I don’t really care about it; I’ve barely ever paid attention to it. At this point I think it’s just a way for Hallmark and florists to make bank. And chicks dig it. I don’t hate it; it’s just corny!
What motivates you more to write music: love or hate?
Well, they say there’s a thin line between love and hate, and my songs celebrate both with equal enthusiasm. Things I love, things I hate and things I love to hate. Each day is a celebration of life and love it or hate it, you have live it on your own terms. You’ve got to make that hate work for you!
Do you have a funny V-Day story?
I truly have no noteworthy stories! It was cool back in the day though, getting like Smurf and Pac-Man Valentines and eating candy. Good times!
Valentine’s Day: Love it or hate it?
Three cheers for Valentine’s Day! How else would we know when to be romantic? Or when to buy flowers or candy? How else would we know when to put on a red dress and go out to dinner? Or when to have sex? Thank God for Valentine’s Day!
What motivates you more to write music: love or hate?
There’s definitely more hate than love in my songs. It’s easy to get all fired up by the bad stuff. Anger! Yeah! And I guess love is just kind of private to me.
Do you have a funny V-Day story?
Years ago, I decided I’d give my boyfriend at the time some photos of me posing in lingerie. I blew up red balloons and taped them to a wall in the shape of a heart. My sister came over and took the pictures with me standing against the wall, inside the heart. Well, they came out really ridiculous! I had bad hair and couldn’t pose provocatively for the life of me. Plus, that was back in the days before digital cameras—when you had to get your film developed. Yikes!
Valentine’s Day: Love it or hate it?
I love it because it’s all about the love, hate it because I have to be all love-y and stuff and spend a lot of money on flowers, dinner, etc. when I’m always broke. And the corporate BS of Valentine’s Day? Really?
What motivates you more to write music: love or hate?
Love, because music is life. Really without it, what else is there? It’s true expression of what’s inside and no matter what language you sing, speak, yell, scream”¦ you know where the band or artist is coming from.
Valentine’s Day: Love it or hate it?
I’m not a hater, but I think I lean more towards disliking V-Day. I’m really not a fan of the whole, “card giving” thing. I have received so many cards from people in the past, but I have never been one to return the favor. You can take your girl out any other time of the year. It’s just another holiday that I feel obligated to spend money I don’t have. This V-Day I am playing a show! But don’t get me wrong; I will be spending some time with my girl on the 14th.
What motivates you more to write music: love or hate?
Definitely love. Although a lot of my songs are about the harder and more complicated parts of love. I’m more motivated to write when I’m going through a difficult situation regarding love, rather than when I’m extremely happy.
What motivates you more to write music: love or hate?
Love, because music is life. Really without it, what else is there? It’s true expression of what’s inside and no matter what language you sing, speak, yell, scream”¦ you know where the band or artist is coming from.
Valentine’s Day: Love it or hate it?
Hate it when I’m single, hate it even more when I have someone to take out because I’m probably going to be spending hella money to make sure I have a date for next Valentine’s Day just to spend more money. “What you won’t do, do for love”¦”
What motivates you more to write music: love or hate?
An artist’s best work is made when they’re depressed about love, more specifically about not having love. So love and hate pretty much go hand-in-hand when it comes to inspiration.
Do you have a funny V-Day story? Back in elementary school this girl that I was hella diggin’ gave me a Barbie Valentine card with a tip on how to do your own French manicure at home. I was so confused.
Valentine’s Day: Love it or hate it?
I love it. It’s the one day of the year when single ladies are going to want to have more fun due to having no boyfriends. Your chances of sexy time are increased on Valentine’s Day.
What motivates you more to write music: love or hate?
Hate, hate, hate. When you got that anger brewing inside of you and you start a song, you’re going to want to spit murder at someone or at something and words seem to fall and go together in a form that I like, so hate on.
Do you have a funny V-Day story?
No, but if you want to make a funny story with me, ladies, you can hit me on our Myspace, and we can make some magic. Or not.
Valentine’s Day: Love it or hate it?
Valentine’s Day is one of the many holidays I feel really neutral about, along with Independence Day, Halloween (though at least that’s another excuse to wear a costume) and New Year’s Eve. I don’t think I’m above it, like those people who brag about not owning a TV; I just have never had a valentine on Valentine’s Day so I’ve never known the joys of it.
Valentine’s Day is an aisle of cheap candies and stuffed animals in shades of red at Longs that I walk through on my way to buy a bottle of shampoo. This year I’m playing a Valentine’s show at Vox Gallery in West Sac, it’s a benefit for a local art group—yeah! That’s what love is really about.
What motivates you more to write music: love or hate?
Love! I may be moody, but I don’t write songs about hate.
Do you have a funny V-Day story?
Ah I wish! Someone promised me a Valentine surprise this year though so maybe.
Valentines Day: Love it or hate it?
I never really thought about it before. I guess I don’t really love it or hate it. It seems to me like it’s just another one of those Hallmark holidays to get you to buy candy and cards for your loved ones. But hey—at least it’s about love.
What motivates you more to write music: love or hate?
Both of them, love and hate, each one has its positives and negatives and both of them have motivated me to write music. I would say I have written more songs about love, but they aren’t necessarily love songs. Some of my songs are about spreading more love to one another while others are about love gone wrong, which could turn into hate.
Valentines Day: Love it or hate it?
I’ve never felt an attachment to Valentine’s Day. I don’t think I’ve ever had a girlfriend that was too into it either. I just proposed to my girlfriend, so I’m not sure if I need to do something extra special this year or if the proposal covers the next couple holidays. I’m hoping for the latter.
What motivates you more to write music: love or hate?
I couldn’t really say love or hate fuels my writing. Obviously I love music, but I’ve never felt that romantic “inspiration” everyone associates with musicians. I don’t fall in love and go running to the piano. I need a neutral mind to compose properly.
Do you have a funny V-Day story?
When I was 18 or 19 I dressed up in a suit and brought flowers to my girlfriend while she was at work. I wasn’t trying to be funny at the time, but I guess it’s kind of funny now looking back.
Some things were just meant to be. Listening to the music of Sacramento locals Agent Ribbons, you’d think the group had been together forever. There’s an almost preternatural chemistry between vocalist/guitarist Natalie Gordon’s warm, rich guitar tones, her equally resonant vocals and drummer Lauren Hess’s smoothly shuffling rhythms. However, Agent Ribbons have yet to enter their terrible twos (that’ll happen this coming March). In fact, before she met Hess, Gordon, who had been playing sporadic solo shows prior to her work with Agent Ribbons, seemed like she had run her course with performing music.
“After hitting a dead end in songwriting around then, I sold my guitars and didn’t play for a year,” Gordon explained over a brief e-mail correspondence. “Meeting Lauren was a turning point for me and brought invention and inspiration back into process of writing music, and from there we developed a symbiotic approach to the music we create.”
Was it fate? Maybe. But it’s probably best not to overanalyze. What makes Agent Ribbons’ music so engaging is its enchanting simplicity. Gordon took the time from her busy schedule as an employee in an “independent sweat shop” to answer a few of Submerge‘s questions via the mystical strands of the World Wide Web.
I’d read in an older interview that you (or had) lived in a Victorian home. Listening to your music, I got the sense that it had a nostalgic quality to it. Are you a history buff, and if so, what period of history holds the most interest for you?
I was an art history major during my brief stint with scholarly pursuits. I do prefer historical fiction and biographies over most genres…one of my favorite books is called The Fall of Madame X and almost entirely because of my fascination with that story I think I’d like to be in Paris in the 1880s. It’s such a romantic time and place to be in, but probably only for the rich.
Do you and Lauren still inhabit different apartments in the same building?
Lauren lives in the flat below in our building, though half the time she lives in San Francisco where she is employed in a bead shop.
In your first e-mail to me, you’d mentioned that you had a hectic schedule due to your new job. Does work stress affect how you write songs or what you choose to write about?
Actually, having structure and repetition really helps my creative process. Almost all our songs were written whilst riding in the back of a car, on long walks through downtown or ironing because I drift into that space when I’m bored or have the freedom to daydream. Right now, I’m working as the assistant to a corset maker, though I like to tell people that I work for an “independent sweat shop.” Anyway, corset making demands an attention to detail, so I write when I get home.
Reading the lyrics for a couple of your songs on your SonicBids page, it seems that your lyrics are character-driven. Would you say that’s a fair assessment? If so, where do you find inspiration for these characters?
Most of the songs tell stories instead of convey only ideas, I guess. And a good story relies on strong and memorable characters, so I spend a lot of time developing that aspect, almost unselfconciously. Most of the stories I come up with are a hybrid of personal experience and either movies or books. The space I am in when watching a film or reading—especially escapist-type stuff—is the place I’m in while songwriting. So I draw much of my inspiration from movie theaters, but create my own plot and characters, but much of the song is emotionally drawn from actual life.
I saw that your 7-inch, And the Star-Crossed Doppelganger, had a cover drawn by Dame Darcy. How did you meet up with her, and what was it like working with her?
She happened to be on tour with her own band, Death by Doll, and so we asked her to play at our CD release party when she came to the area. She actually stayed in my room for a couple days and I was a bit breathtaken for all of the first day. However, after realizing how fun and dorky she was, it evolved into more of a friendship and she let us stay with her when we came to Los Angeles. We were so honored to work with her on the 7-inch and she seemed very pleased to do it!
Had you been a fan of her work and comics prior? Are you a regular reader of comic books in general (I am, so I won’t make fun of you for saying yes)?
I would not consider myself a comic book fan in general, but I have been reading Dame Darcy for years and was a fan of her solo music before even that. Having once dated the owner of a comic book store for a while, I took on a greater appreciation for comic books. However, I hardly read any. I still haven’t finished Fables [published by DC/Vertigo], which I love so far, but I have finished The Lost Girls by Alan Moore.
I also saw that you’d handcrafted album covers of your album On Time Travel and Romance prior to having the artwork version. You also make band merchandise like jewelry. Is this something you hope to keep doing and has this affected your own appreciation of the group?
Making things by hand for the band is a total blast, but unfortunately, very tedious and time-consuming. After having made 800 handmade CD covers, we started to only feature them once in a while when we have time to make them. We have printed artwork now that we are very excited about that was illustrated by a French artist, Marie Caudry.
You released a full-length album. Are you working on another album now? If so, what direction do you see your songwriting heading?
There is no specific plan for the next album, but we are certainly working on new material. Hopefully we might have something out in the beginning of 2009.
