When we do these ‘meet the bands’ it’s like playing a one arm bandit in Vegas, sometimes you lose and when you’re just about to run out of coins your luck takes a turn and you hit those lucky 7’s. This is one of those days when the lights are going off and the IRS has to come to your side to fill out some forms. No shit, if you have been looking for the next big thing in music , you are about to meet her. This is so good to try and put it in a box and throw out names like Blondie, or The Primitives maybe a little Pat Benatar , and then add the band that has more experience than you can imagine with a guitar that is on this side of Mark Knopfler doesn’t do them justice. Like I tell my youngest at 14, it’s just about impossible to not show who has influenced you in your music and that’s not a bad thing, when you’re talking about legends because at the show or when you are listening to the record, it’s you that they’re listening to. Have I told you that this Album rocks like it’s 1977 all over again. I’ve waited years for a year like this, so many excellent new rockers out there , I’m just glad that I get to play a small part in helping them get new people to give them a listen. AND , you absolutely need to listen to ‘Late 44″ it’ll fill you with warm fuzzy sun-shinny thoughts and what more could you ask for out of a July morning…
London born Louise splits her time between her home-town and New York City, bringing together her Indie Post-Punk routes with Rock and Pop melodies. Whilst in New York she surrounded herself with musicians including guitarist Tom Edwards (Adam Ant, Roddy Frame, Edwyn Collins) bass player Joe Holweger (Adam Ant, Sophie Ellis Bexter) drummer David Ruffy (The Ruts, The Waterboys, Kirsty MacColl) and Morrissey’s MD Boz Boorer and developed her signature sound packed full with musical pedigree. During this period Louise established herself firmly on America’s East Coast live scene playing venues like New York’s Bowery Electric and Rockwood Music Hall.
The album Late 44 was recorded at the legendary Abbey Road Studios by producer James Knight who’s worked with many of today’s chart artists including Ellie Goulding, James Morrison and The Kooks. The single Too Late with its Joey Ramone style vocal punk-style chord changes, tells a story of two people’s clandestine love affair which falls apart over time.
With two albums behind her, Fingers Crossed in 2010 and Time Honoured Alibi in 2013 which included the single Where Are You – a top 5 in the Digital Radio Tracker’s National US Airplay Independent Charts and the most requested release on LA’s indie 104 station.
Meet – Louise Aubrie:
for those unfamiliar with your history, can you tell us a little of your history as a musician and how you formed your band.
I took the first step to recording professionally at the Mill Hill Music Complex in North London, where I started being creative with my own material and then I upped sticks and moved to New York City. I remember coming through Kennedy airport with a bunch of guitars and not much else – there was definitely a disproportionate ratio between clothes and instruments. I made a couple of records with some fantastic musicians I met gigging around in the Lower East Side. Then for my latest album, Late 44, I came back home to London and recorded with some amazing British musicians – on guitars Tom Edwards (Adam Ant), on bass Joe Holweger (Adam Ant), on drums David Ruffy (The Ruts/Ruts DC, The Waterboys, Dexy’s), and also Boz Boorer (The Polecats, Morrissey) put down some brilliant guitar tracks on top of Tom’s groundwork. Boz has been instrumental in my whole career … he produced my first two albums and has always been so encouraging and gave me the confidence to break out on my own.
who would you list as your musical influence?
Well it starts with Elvis and Sinatra. I am not sure how obvious that is from listening to my records (!), but no one comes close (or will ever) to Frank’s style and phrasing in a song. He never once sounded unsure in his attack. And Elvis is, of course, the King. After that foundation, I was I was drawn to the 70s – Blondie, Bowie, T-Rex, The Ramones, The New York Dolls, and then coming up to The Smiths in the 80s, and Garbage and Suede in the 90s.
So it started with the Chairman of the Board and the King. I am obviously not alone in citing these men, but its amazing that they still inspire people, long after their deaths, in so many ways. My music is not Swing or Lounge or Gospel or Rockabilly, but all of that is in my heart, which is the place from where all my songs come.
whats the coolest thing that’s happened to you since you started up?
I think creating three albums. The first two in the remote mountains of Portugal with Boz Boorer at the helm, and the latest one at the legendary Abbey Road Studios in London. As soon as you walk in the doors, you know you are somewhere very special; you really can sense all the historic music that has been created there. We were lucky enough to be in Studio 2, probably the most famous in the world, and it just inspires you to do your best work. The acoustics are unbeatable; I don’t think you would get a better drum sound in any other room, and we took advantage of the whole environment, including the legendary upright piano and echo chamber. The engineers and staff are the best in the business.
what are your hopes and dreams for the next few years?
To have the opportunities to keep writing and recording music, and to be able to play live as much as possible. For me, nothing beats playing live because each gig is unique and you have a specific connection to each audience that is only going to happen once. It makes the whole experience thrilling.
what are some of your favorite albums from the past few years?
At the risk of sounding retrogressive, I am really excited by the more established bands that I love still making new records, and those records being of such quality. To bring things right up to date, Garbage have just released “Strange Little Birds” which all at once captures their original mood and marries it to a 21st century energy. Suede’s “Night Thoughts” sounds so bold which is so impressive to have that quality at this stage. The longevity of these bands warms my heart – they are truly special. It now seems rather hackneyed to mention David Bowie because everything has been said, but “The Next Day” and “Blackstar” are works of unspeakable beauty.
Do you see any real use for social media , or is it all just a pain in the ass to keep with?
I think its a double-edged sword, and that you can take from it what you want. My use of social media is focused on my music and to communicate with fans about gigs, albums, news etc. I don’t have the need to live my life in front of a camera on a phone looking into a mirror!
Do you pay attention to reviews or comments from people about your music or do you just turn that noise off?
I do read reviews, and I do read comments. That said, “noise” is probably a good word for it! If something is positive, I’ll smile and be glad that my music has connected with someone. If its something negative, I’ll smile and be glad they cared enough to write something horrible!
If you could tour anywhere in the world , where would you want to go?
Wherever I am asked!! My favorite thing to do is to play live, so I’d relish any opportunity, large or small.
Can music save the mortal soul or is just a good backbeat to your life?
I’d probably go for doctors above music if we are down to saving your soul …. although a CD would probably work okay as a metal plate.
Any last thoughts for your fans?
To paraphrase Mark Twain, my music is better than it sounds.
Listen to this excellent Album:
Louise Aubrie:
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