[youtube width=”600″ height=”485″]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=otQUDPVJ4DM[/youtube]
The Goodluck Assembly, formed by brothers Bruce and Mike Libbos, are set to release their sophomore album Demonstrations in May 2013. This record is fresh, both to the band and the fans, and so rather than planning a release far in advance, they are ready to get the music out there. Which means, in true DIY indie spirit, the album will be out in May one way or another. “We have a record, we want to play it and we want people to hear it, so we’re going to give it away if we have to,” says Mike. The five-song EP was recorded in Brooklyn, NY with producer Gus Van Go (The Stills, Hollerado). Recording took three weeks, leading up to, during and after Hurricane Sandy. The Libbos brothers replied to some of my questions via email with their take on the album, the storm and where The Goodluck Assembly is headed.
Apartment613: Describe the growth or direction of the band, in this follow-up to 2011’s Glowscape.
Mike: This time around, things are very different. Bruce and I wrote and performed everything you hear on Demonstrations, except the drums (Jamie “Hooker” Kronick). We worked at our home studio much more this time around as opposed to working out songs in a live jamming environment. We focused on the actual recording of the songs, and we are still figuring out how to translate it live!
Bruce: For this recording, pop appeal was not a goal of ours at all. We kind of went back to our roots, which is darker and more emotionally connected than Glowscape. A few of the songs on the EP were very personal and I wasn’t quite sure I wanted to put that out there. At the end of the day the more honesty the better and I’m glad we decided on the songs we did.
What was the impact of Hurricane Sandy on the recording of Demonstrations?
Mike: We felt connected to the experience of being in a huge storm such as this. The days after Hurricane Sandy were a mix of feelings: a sense of relief to have survived, a time to pick up the pieces, being thankful for everything you have, along with moving on and not looking back – couldn’t have described GLA better.
Bruce: The three-day break of reading, eating, being still and humbled by the hurricane really prepared me for vocals. When we came back I completed the main vocals in two sessions. There was a sense of urgency and necessity after experiencing the storm and I wanted to release it.
What would you say were your major influences on Demonstrations?
Bruce: I think it’s the first release of ours where I as a vocalist or songwriter didn’t really wear my influences on my sleeve. There is always the Radiohead comparison and we will always draw some kind of influential depth from them. I really like the singer from Spoon, Britt Daniel. I’ve been trying to learn his art of vocal seductive sexiness….so far I keep getting F’s and D-minus’s but I ain’t giving up!
Do you have a preference between recording new material or being on the road?
Mike: If I could split my life between playing live and being in the studio everyday, I would be the happiest human being on Earth. They are two completely separate things though. Playing live is the emotional release I live for, but a show day is a long day, with about a 45-minute pay off on stage. Worth it though!
In 2011 GLA gained notoriety for the CD drop-off campaign that accompanied the Glowscape release – will 2013 see another similar campaign?
Mike: We’ll think of something for sure for this one! The bar has been set, let the stressing commence…
February 2013 saw the release of the official single ‘Wait for Me’. What would you say the reaction has been to the song so far?
Bruce: We’ve got great feedback, and it is getting regular rotation radio play so that was a bonus. We have a lot of groundwork to do before any hype happens and truthfully were not that concerned with it. We set to record an EP that we would be proud of and if nobody but us liked it, we’re not going to be wrecked by it. You’ve got to stick to your guns, they might not be semi-automatics but we’ve learned you can have a lot of fun with cap guns too.
The Goodluck Assembly plays new songs from Demonstrations March 8 at Cafe Dekcuf. (8pm, $7 at the door, 19+)
