From their humble beginning in basement shows back in Ohio, to the warm reception of their recent EP Labrador, Loyal Divide has had a gradual rise out of anonymity. Started casually as an excuse to jam together, the band came to be during the 5-piece’s college years, becoming a more serious endeavor upon a few of the member’s graduation, when the choice to push forward or move on was put in front of them. Fortunately they chose the former, and moved to explore the music scene in Columbus, where they found a healthy number of opportunities. However, like any good thing, it couldn’t last forever, and soon the band found them selves feeling ready for a new stage.“Right before we made the decision to move, we played this show and all of our friends were there, just drinking and yawning, standing around talking to one another and I felt horrible. It was just realizing, “Damn, we need to get out of here and meet some new people, play for people that aren’t just our friends.” (Siddarth Chittajallu) And with that, the band moved to the Windy City, where they found plethora of untapped venues and fans.
“In Chicago we started playing really well- suddenly the five of us were just on the same wavelength” The members of Loyal Divide say they began to feel real musical fusion upon their 2007 move, chalked up to individual maturity, but also giving credit to the influence of fellow band member Adam Johnson. “Adam is a very good song writer and producer. He just has a good ear and he’s the main guy for the sound we do- he’s the filter.” (Andrew McCarthy) Through the time spent playing with and learning from one another, the band can comfortably say, “we know what to expect from each other.” and this confidence has been key to their success over the past few years.
With the creation of two EPs under their belt, a self-titled 2007 release and 2008′s Labrador (which managed to break the 3hive.com’s Top 50 Albums list at #17) , the band is in the midst of self-producing their first full-length, which as of yet has no title. Created completely in house, the LP is tentatively due out this spring, and will be preceded by at least two singles this March. “We’re planning to make a more full time commitment by that point, using the LP as leverage and pushing it to really get out there” (Andrew McCarthy)
In the past the band has full heartedly agreed that their sound was all over the charts, setting foot in numerous camps. When talking about the new album, the band explained that it’s sound is much easier to characterize this time around because they feel they have finally found their niche. Best described as “dark, electronic, pop”, they acknowledge the curious contrast of these adjectives, but that in itself is somewhat the essence of Loyal Divide. While the recent EP Labrador dances in the footsteps of Animal Collective and Can, fusing a sample heavy, electronic sound with the same whisperingly soulful intonation one finds in the background of unconsciousness, the new album promises a more cohesive sound without losing any of the signature style Loyal Divide has created over the years. Some of this consistency may come from the fact that the band’s music “is built on a riff or some kind of texture and really put together mathematically” (Siddarth Chittajallu), a formula well suited for a band with such influences as Radiohead, Talking Heads, and the shoe-gaze genre, with an additional interest in hip-hop production.
On an individual level their influences vary, from the up and coming to 80’s throwbacks: “I like listening to brand new stuff that hasn’t been out too long, but is just starting to get noticed. It’s good to see where new trends are starting, and new genres are being created- which is what I think we’re almost doing. People say a variety of 20-30 different bands when trying to describe us. All five of us listen to completely different music, but we can all zone in around a riff and bring certain new intricacies to it.” (Jonathan Notowidigdo)
“I am the total opposite. I have about four CD’s in my car, three of them all scratched up, so Purple Rain is the only thing I can listen to- I love it. “ (Siddarth Chittajallu)
When talking locally some Chicago favorites Loyal Divide made note of included Netherfriends, Color Radio, D.J. Brad Owen, and Loneliest Monk. While on the subject of the industry, we talked about which big wigs the guys behind the band would like to work with, and mentioned were Nigel Goodrich, Brian Eno, and for the sake of having done so, Quincy Jones. Holding true to their previously stated influences and personal preferences the guys cited Talking Heads, Prince, and Bowie as artists they’d like to cover, placing “Life During Wartime”, “Controversy”, and “Ashes to Ashes” as tracks they’d include, should they ever do a cover album.
While 2009 was a busy year, gaining the support of a manager, opening for Chromeo and Crystal Castles at the Congress Theater, and putting together their LP, Loyal Divide is not taking any time off in 2010 as they prepare the aforementioned full-length for release, garner more dates for their mini tour following their venture to SXSW down in Texas, take part in more of Chicago’s neighborhood festivals, and make the move toward being full-time musicians. They’ll be starting that move the right way as they join The Felix Culpa, Robbers, and Suns at the infamous Chicago Metro this Saturday, January 23rd. On playing the well known venue the band stated simply that the Metro had put on “a lot of great artists over the years. You can’t go wrong.” remaining very humble about their appearance on such a largely coveted stage.
By and large a band for the fan of staggering synth and echoey electronic influence, as well as the more industrial, Loyal Divide is a fine example of creative open mindedness and devotion that music fans should look forward to hearing more from.
Loyal Divide Online:
theloyaldivide.com
On a final note, we’d like to leave you with what is sure to be next summer’s blockbuster, as Jon, Sid, Andrew, and Chris walk us through Loyal Divide: The movie.
If Hollywood were to make a movie about your band, what would it be called?
Chris: Probably “The LD” and it’d be kind of boring.
Who would you cast as yourselves?
Sid: Tiger Woods-he needs a comeback, and this movie is going to take him there.
Andrew: I would totally have Nick Lachey play me, because I am his chubby younger brother.
Chris: Jean Claude Van Dam or Steven Segal. It’d be like those Microsoft commercials where I’m all skinny and then it goes to the flashback and I’m just, “(Manly growl)”
Jon: Jet Li. No, wait- Jeff Goldblum.
Adam: Sam O’Neil, that dude from Jurassic Park. (So kindly cast on his behalf by his band mates)
Plot:
Andrew: Blood, Swear and Tears…Actually it’d be like that KISS movie where they’re at that carnival and they use their instruments as weapons to fight the phantom menace. We’d use out signature power moves – like power chords as super powers.
Sid: Pretty much Harold and Kumar Go to White Castle- except Wendy’s because it’s better.
Tags: Interview, Upcoming Release, Upcoming Show
August 23, 2010 at 12:07 pm |
[...] 5 Out of 500: Posts We Love- Loyal Divide By reviewsic Originally Posted: January 18th, 2010 [...]
March 17, 2010 at 9:57 am |
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