Lucius - Experience and hard work

Lucius will play on Sunday, November 2nd at the Magnolia in Milan for the first time in Italy. It was the perfect occasion to send the band a few questions via email. Holly Laessig answered, and her replies show how the band is constantly seeking to improve through experience and relentless work.

In your country you've sometimes been described as "an updated take on the classic pop girl group, in the style of the Supremes", but we think that's a lazy description. Do you think it's fair to place you in a purely revivalist context, or do you agree with us that there's more to your music than that?

Obviously we feel we have something more to offer than what already exists, otherwise we wouldn't be doing what we're doing. We can't really take offense at descriptions that brief, especially from this angle, because the truth is that most of the time it's a reference point that draws listeners in. I think that once people actually listen, they can form a more accurate idea. And besides, I don't know, the Supremes isn't exactly a bad comparison!

Specifically, we think there's inspiration from that kind of band in your music, but we like the way you revitalize it — the way you do it is one of the main reasons your music is so good. Do you agree? Are there other influences that have inspired you?

That era has certainly influenced our melodies and our style, but we're constantly inspired by all kinds of periods, places, people, situations and things. The five of us all come from different musical and artistic worlds, and we've been able to get each other exploring one another's. That creates an abundance of ideas to work with.

Only recently has "Wildewoman" been released on our side of the Atlantic, and recently we also discovered you'd already put out an album, five years ago, called "Songs From The Bromley House". What did we miss? Is there any chance that album will eventually be released here too?

"Songs From The Bromley House", despite sharing the same name, was part of a different project. "Wildewoman" is Lucius's debut album as we know the band today.

We think "Wildewoman" is a beautiful record, so it needed to be paired with a beautiful cover. In our opinion, mission accomplished with that painting by Evelyne Axell. How did you choose it?

We came across the painting thanks to our friend Tika Buchanan, who worked with us as a graphic designer. She has a great eye, and she showed us a series of works she'd come across, including that one. It struck us more than the others because of its bold intensity, and we knew it was the one. So we got in touch with the artist's son, who was more than accommodating — he was really kind and genuinely wanted us to use it.

A deluxe version of "Wildewoman" was recently released. What can you tell us about it? Is there a bonus track you'd particularly recommend?

It's a compilation of live sessions, covers and alternate versions that we put together in the middle of our intense tour. We're really happy to share it, and I couldn't tell you which track to recommend in particular, because I change my mind on that far too often. We did choose every track very carefully though, so we hope people will like all of them.

We read that you've collaborated with San Fermin, the Rentals and, more recently, Tweedy. Did you enjoy these collaborations?

Absolutely! We love collaborating and couldn't say a bad word about any of these experiences. All the names you mentioned have become real inspirations for us as arrangers, performers and songwriters. We value all these opportunities enormously.

What made you choose the name Lucius for the band?

It was the name of Jess's English bulldog, who sadly isn't with us anymore.

I (Stefano Bartolotta) saw you at the End Of The Road Festival last September. I was particularly struck by how many different setups you had on stage: some songs were played with four different percussion setups, others were guitar-based, others keyboard-based, and others still acoustic. Does that reflect what you did in the studio to make the album, or does it only happen live?

The record was made through a series of experimental builds, from the ground up, re-recording, re-arranging, overdubbing – there was no fixed plan. From that experience, and by continuing to play live, we figured out how to recreate the album on stage. Now we have set arrangements (even though rules are always made to be broken), and I'm curious to see how that will affect the way we make the next record.

That show was played outdoors on a big stage on a full sunny afternoon; now, I imagine, you'll be playing indoors in small venues. Do you think your live music has the same power in both situations, or do you prefer one over the other?

There's no preference, but there is definitely a difference. Festivals are fun because they're outdoors and because you meet other musicians – even if sometimes only very briefly – so you feel part of a community, but you're far from the crowd and they're not necessarily your fans, so there's a bit of disconnect with the audience. Small indoor clubs are often the best setting, because you're face to face with your fans as they're going wild, so you get that immediate feedback.

How's your European tour going? How excited are you to come to Italy? Have you already been here before?

Everything is going by so fast, and we honestly can't wait to get to Italy – it'll be our first time. We keep imagining all the great food we're going to enjoy.

We imagine 2014 has been very intense for you, but also very rewarding. Are you already working on the next record, or will you take some time off once the tour wraps up?

We're already working on the next record, and we plan to keep at it even after the tour ends, right up until we start recording. Time off? What's that?

You're certainly much better known now, since "Wildewoman" came out, than you were before. Would you like to point us toward any other bands who are still under the radar but deserve wider recognition too?

We have plenty of friends who'd deserve it. Just to name a few: You Won't, Elaphant, Lapland, the Happy Hollows, Pearl & The Beard.

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