Of Montreal began as a solo project for frontman Kevin Barnes in 1997 but has since expanded to a line-up that currently stands at six members. Sometimes verging on twee, other times psychedelic or even music hall, Of Montreal's style is excitable and dynamic, and always ready to surprise.
In total the band have racked up an impressive nine studio albums, including the excellent 'Cherry Peel', 'The Gay Parade' and 'Hissing Fauna, Are You The Destroyer?', the latter of which is the band's darkest outing, influenced by Barnes' troubled personal life at that time.
However, the band now return with a much more upbeat new album 'Skeletal Lamping' through Polyvinyl Records on 21 Oct, followed by single 'Id Engager' on 27 Oct. Kevin Barnes answered our Same Six Questions.
Q1 How did you start out making music?
My parents moved the family from Michigan to south Florida. I didn't have any friends, so I spent all of my time writing and recording on my four track cassette recorder. I wrote hundreds of songs and developed the practice of piecing songs together, one instrument at a time, which I still use today.
Q2 What inspired your latest album?
Depression, anxiety, joy, sex, paranoia, anger, love, desire, confusion...
Q3 What process do you go through in creating an album?
I just start working and follow the creative spirit wherever it wants to go. Eventually, I have enough music for an album and then I edit it all and piece it together in a fashion that I find interesting.
Q4 Which artists influence your work?
Curtis Mayfield, Sly Stone, Prince, David Bowie, John Lennon, Ray Davies, Fela Kuti, Os Mutantes, Brian Wilson, Deerhoof, Outkast, Erykah Badu, The Neptunes, Brian Eno...
Q5 What would you say to someone experiencing your music for the first time?
Hey baby, what's up?
Q6 What are your ambitions for your latest album/single, and for the future?
I just hope that people spend some time with the new album and allow it into their hearts. As far as the future goes, I just hope to stay inspired and excited about the possibilities of art music.
MORE>> www.ofmontreal.net and www.myspace.com/ofmontreal
VIGSY'S CLUB TIP: Fabric ninth birthday weekend at Fabric
Fabric's been going strong for nine whole years now, and this weekend the club is celebrating that milestone. I remember going along to Fabric during that first month all those years ago, and remember thinking, while listening to Underground Resistance's Galaxy 2 Galaxy on that amazing 'bodysonic' dancefloor in the main room, that it doesn't get much better than this. Friday's Fabric Live has always been good, and attracts a party crowd, with cutting edge drum n bass and beats, and Tech on Saturdays from Richards and Francis has been consistently good, too. And it's the Saturday event I'm tipping today, not least because it runs from 11pm on Saturday, all the way to midday on Sunday. In Room 1, residents Craig Richards and Terry Francis will be joined by Luciano, Shinedoe and Ralph Lawson. Room 2 is headlined by Detroit techno superstar and UR commander: Robert Hood, with Mark Broom, and one of my fave artists Soul Designer playing live. Real name Fabrice Lig, SD makes fresh melodic techno with soul in a deluxe style - check out this live video. Finally, in Room 3, new Detroit protege Omar S headlines a line-up that also includes Patrice Scott and Keith Worthy. Happy birthday Fabric. You are, put simply, a proper club with proper music.
Sat 18 Sep, Fabric, 77a Charterhouse Street, London, EC1M, 10pm-6am, £16/£12 NUS or £5 after 5am. More info from www.fabriclondon.com, press from
Danna at Fabric PR
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