Post by 3 on Apr 22, 2006 11:19:42 GMT 1
America’s prog adventurers are feeling more human.
“It’s really important to stop,” says Brandon Curtis, frontman of Dallas-via-NYC trio, Secret Machines. “I think we’ve learned that. As an audience member, sometimes you need a moment. Sometimes if you say something between songs, it gives a chance for a different kind of relationship to develop. You can show that you’re human.” Secret Machines have learnt a lot during the last two years of relentless touring. From a band that stubbornly refused to burst the bubble by stopping between tracks, the idea of talking to the audience is quite revolutionary. And it’s this less stark, warmer, more human approach that shines through on their new LP, Ten Silver Drops.
We’re sitting in their dressing room at the Brighton Concorde 2, a charming 500-capacity venue where the band will be playing the first night of their UK tour to support the release of their second album. Over the last year, the band have played many such venues but have also opened for the likes of Oasis, Kings Of Leon and U2 in places like the Aztec Stadium. “We’re definitely lucky to be one of the few bands to be able to play both,” says Brandon. “Who has the opportunity to play in front of 500 people and 50,000 people in the same month? There are not many people who get to do that. You couldn’t stick U2 in here. They could never play this place. I feel bad for them.” So does this mean that he hopes that Secret Machines never get as big as U2? “Hell no. Are you kidding me?”
The band has clearly learnt a thing or two from their new acquaintances. They’re imposing live show now consists of spectacular lights and a lot of smoke. “We like to use lights to create a specific environment and create a specific mood,” say Ben Curtis, Brandon’s brother and the band’s guitarist. “The point is really to illicit some kind of feeling.”
As well as the new visual dimension, there seems to be new depth to their sonic canon. “That’s the goal,” agrees Brandon. “Depth is good. But it’s hard to do depth with the emotional integrity still there. Sometimes it turns into just florid bullshit.”
And yes, the band does now pause between tracks. “I think we realised we were playing continuously because that’s what we felt like doing. But we don’t want to come off being aloof,” says Ben. “And we’ve added, like, a comedy skit and a dancing routine,” deadpans Josh, the band’s energetic drummer. “You may not catch them because of the lights. But they’re there.”
This new relaxed attitude seems in keeping with their new album. It still contains the dark, driving, kraut-rock-infused energy of their much-lauded debut, Now Here Is Nowhere, but there is a new lightness of touch and a more traditional approach to songwriting. “I think that’s totally true,” confirms Brandon. “Yes, it’s warmer. It’s where we’re at now and how we feel.” The machines have become less mechanical.
Secret Machines – Ten Silver Drops, released 03 April 06 on Reprise Records.
Matt Walton 30 March 06 - www.bbc.co.uk/