(both photo’s by Ryan Collerd)
Today our ‘Meet The Band’ is made possible by one of the coolest Record Labels on the planet, Hidden Volume Records. Louie Louie will release their first vinyl record with Hidden Volume this Spring. ” Out In The Streets” will quickly help you understand why Hidden Volume has added Louie Louie to their ever expanding roster of rad bands. Very cool tracks that will get you groovin and shakin. I dig the harmonies and the voice has that certain hook that harkens back to ‘ Leader of the Pack’ days . Louie Louie are a band that I will be adding to my summer playlist , and I can’t wait to get the ‘7’ from Hidden Volume Records spinning and cranked way up.
Meet – Louie Louie
for those unfamiliar with your bands history, can you tell us all how you all met up and decided to start a band ?
I had/have been in bands for years (Myrrias, Lantern, Omon Ra II) but I had never started a band on my own totally from scratch. I dreamed of harmonies and of exploring a new kind of songwriting and arranging for a four piece band. I talked about it incessantly to my sister and to my two co-waitresses whilst filleting fish and slinging hummus. The three of them were IN from the the beginning. It was like the band was already made even though they had never played music before. They were just waiting for me to ask. Eventually my sister (Jenna Robb) started coming to the studio with me where we sat across from each other, each behind a drum kit, and played, played played. She took off and I returned to the guitar. Then co-waitress Leslie Burnette joined on keys and a few weeks later, co-waitress Emily Eichelberger on bass. Thus our band began with wild sounding jams and classic covers. We’re still very new and this 45 is our first official release.
who would you list as your musical influence?.
It’s undeniable that 60’s and 70’s rock ‘n’ roll is often our starting point as far as a general vibe goes. But we want to be modern too! I also love post punk, classical, krautrock, experimental and other weird things. Influences come from all over the place. To name a few bands, there’s The Rolling Stones, Dara Puspita, The Beatles, The Beach Boys, The Ronnettes, Yoko Ono, David Bowie, The Tammys, The Zombies. (A lot of “The” bands!)
whats the coolest thing that’s happened to you as a band since you started up?
So many cool things. We’ve gone on one U.S. tour so far on which we met so many incredible people and saw many strange and beautiful sights. St. Louis was really a highlight. The show was crazy, people were packed in and standing on tables to see us and yelling for more. We sold more merch at that show than any other we’ve played. The next day our friend Gabe got us into the City Museum. We were all in a hangover haze squeezing through tunnels that are seriously sized for four-year olds and climbing up netted metal on different planes and dimensions. We eventually made it up to the roof where there’s a flying school bus. We cooled our hangovers with coconut popsicles and lilly-pad hopped through the giant fountain. And how did we get back down to our car from way up on the roof? Nope, not the flying schoolbus. Yup, a TEN STORY SLIDE. AND before exiting the roof, someone recognized us from the show the night before and made us feel famous.
what are your hopes and dreams as a band for the next few years.
I hope that we can be more free to play and record as much as we want! NO ROOM FOR JOBS! Also I dream of being able to make a more in depth stage show. To present our shows as a more complete/”whole” form of art. So far, Jenna makes our costumes, Leslie does our hair and makeup and Emily makes our show posters. So we have a good start!
what are some of your favorite albums from the past few years?
I really like Drinks Hermits On Holiday. Also Ex Hex’s Rips is such good rock ‘n’ roll! I LOVE Olivia Neutron-John. She’s released a couple of tapes and a vinyl I believe. I’ve only listened to her stuff online and we played a show with her once during which she blew my mind. It’s visceral and real. My friends Freelove Fenner from Montreal released an album called Do Not Affect A Breezy Manner in 2013 that I love and is often on my record player. There are so many more but this is probably enough of an answer right?!
Do you see any real use for social media , or is it all just a pain in the ass to keep with?
Well yes, it’s a pain to keep up with. There’s so much BS on the internet but I guess it’s like anything else-you can choose to wade through it all or you can navigate it with intention so as not to waste hours and hours. I think it’s a helpful tool for bands like ourselves. We have to get word out and let the world know we’re here. And it’s (unless you want to pay) free! Also it’s very cool that the internet makes it possible for a fan who lives halfway across the world to get in touch with us! No pigeons or horses.
Do you pay attention to reviews or comments from people about your music or do you just turn that noise off.
It’s tough. Some criticism is helpful and truthful. A lot is just mean. Usually internet comments are not helpful. I ask for advice and criticism from fellow artists and musicians that I think will be honest and enlightening. Our whole band asks each other for opinions ALL the time. I criticize myself (obviously). You have to make a lot of bad music to make a small amount of good music. So…I guess I’d like my artistic process to be informed by thoughtful comments/criticisms, not by angry, bored Yelpers.
If you could tour anywhere in the world , where would you want to go.
I would love to tour Japan! I’ve never been and Tokyo is wonderful city for rock ‘n’ roll. I think it would be very very inspiring.
Can music save the mortal soul or is just a good backbeat to your life.
I don’t know what life would be without music. It makes all of our mortal souls a little less mortal.
Any last thoughts for your fans?
Thank you, fans!!!! We very very much appreciate your support.
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