Ski Lodge appeared on our radar when we heard their guitar-tangled track A Game. It’s a warm jangle of a song that wanders into some old-school indie. Just try and imagine Johnny Marr and Vampire Weekend hanging in NYC and we’re getting close. The group, led by Andrew Marr, have just released a 4 track EP on Dovecote Records and are gearing up for some crazy busy times. We caught up with Andrew to talk music, video and New York.
Bowlegs: Firstly how did you come up with the band name??
Andrew: I came up with it while writing down a bunch of other possible names. This one stuck out to me because I thought it put out a certain vibe that fits with my music. I think of a Ski Lodge as a warm refuge, and for me, my music is figuratively that same sort of thing.
Bowlegs:The track I Would Die To Be has a real Smiths jangle to it – are they an influence on you guys? What’s your favourite Smiths’ song?
Andrew: Yes! I’m a huge Smiths’ fan. So hard to pick a favorite, I’d say Frankly, Mr. Shankly & This Charming Man are both up there.
Bowlegs:The words in that track are quite morbid – are these songs written from experience?
Andrew: Yeah most of the words in that song are written from experience. They were inspired by my frustration with a relationship I was in a couple years ago. It started out with me just writing that first, because those were the main points I wanted to make. So that’s all I really had for a month or so, it was just this 30 second song with a few statements. After leaving it alone for a little while, I was able to spit out the rest of what I was feeling/thinking.
Bowlegs:Both the videos we’ve seen are great – who made these for you? Do you have a say in the creative process? I understand The Game vid is based around a real life encounter – tell us more?!
Andrew: Thanks, I made them with a 2 different friends of mine. A Game was directed by Ian Sotzing, and no, ha, its not based on any type of real life encounter… The video for I would die to be was directed by Evan Cutler Wattles. I had a say in the process of both videos. Both guys were awesome to work with.
Bowlegs:So your self-titled EP is out now on Dovecote Records. How did you get hooked up with Dovecote? Was it a unanimous decision on the 4 tracks chosen to be on the EP?
Andrew: I actually got hooked up with Dovecote by just sending them a link to my bandcamp site, on which I only had a recording of A Game. I feel like it’s a total long shot whenever you send a label, who doesn’t know who you are, a link to listen to your stuff. I definitely lucked out, and they hit me back that same day saying they’d be interested in putting something out.
Initially it was just going to be a 7” with 2 tracks on it. I had 2 other songs that I was almost done recording, so we decided to have me finish those and make it an EP instead. I didn’t have anything else close to being finished so we just went with the 4 that were, I think it worked out pretty great.
Bowlegs:So with the EP out there what is planned next? I can imagine you have to work 24/7 during the period of release to make the most of it?
Andrew: Yeah, definitely. I’m super excited about the next few months. We’re going to be releasing a new single digitally in the next couple weeks. It’s called Just To Be Like You and I recorded it with the full band in upstate NY with Kevin McMahon (Real Estate, The Walkmen, Titus Andronicus).The next major release is going to be an LP. I’ve finished writing the majority of it already… I’m actually going out to L.A. this week to record the 2nd single with Lewis Pesacov. He produced Best Coast’s Crazy For You and plays in that band Fool’s Gold. After I do that, we’ll be scheduling to record the rest of the LP!
Bowlegs:Is being from New York a blessing or a curse for a new band?
Andrew: I think it’s a bit of both.
Bowlegs:Finally what records have you been digging in 2012?
Andrew: Really been loving the new LP’s by Beach House, The Walkmen, Lower Dens & Chairlift. Lots of other stuff too, but those are my favs so far this year.
Head here to get more info and bag a copy of the EP
