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Q1 Where and when did you meet the band members you started the Duke Spirit with? Where is the idea of the band name come from?
I met Liela and Luke at Art college and we played together for a few years. When we decided to form The Duke Spirit 5 years ago we asked Dan, who was a friend, if he wanted to join. We met Olly through a friend who worked on Camden market. We found the name in a book (which we can't remember the name of) that was laying around in the office Simon Raymonde's (producer of our 1st album Cuts Across the Land). It sounded like an attitude, or an empowering feeling that you might have.
Q2 You guys have been touring all over the places, which venue do you feel the best to play your music? Any favorite venues?
We played KOKO in London recently i and love that venue. Last night we played a place called the 40 Watt club in Athens, Georgia which is a really great venue. I'd love to play our own show at Brixton Academy in London one day. |
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Q3 How's the U.S.A tour going so far? Did you see the differences between U.K fans and the U.S fans?
It's going really well. Touring the states a hard task because of the huge drives between each city, but we're used to it now and know we can cope with it. I never really see too much of a difference in audiences in different countries. The only thing i notice is that US audiences are more vocal than UK ones. They like to shout out stuff between songs, and whoop and holler!
Q4 What's your most memorable on the road story?
Unfortunately for me it's probably when i broke my elbow in a Las Vegas hotel in 2006. The result of trying to emulate the 'moonwalk' and failing. We had to play Coachella festival in California the next day, which i somehow managed to do thanks to strong painkillers!
Q5 What is on your rider?
Good Whiskey. Good Vodka. Good Beer. Good Wine. Hummous. Cheese and Crackers. Socks. |
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My Sunken Treasure
-Neptune-
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The Duke Spirit are Liela Moss (Vocals), Luke Ford (Guitars), Dan Higgins (Guitars), Toby Butler (Bass) and Olly Betts (Drums)
It's almost two years now since The Duke Spirit released their debut album 'Cuts Across the Land'. The musical equivalent of closed curtains, it spoke of narcotic nights, wounded hearts and absolution in the eyes of strangers. In a climate where a rock'n roll mindset meant wearing the same jeans for four days running, it belonged to a more illustrious British lineage: MBV, The Stones, JAMC. Following rave reviews and support tours with everyone from Mercury Rev to Kasabian, the band naturally found America calling. Two hundred and eighty-five gigs later, they came home.
"Last year we worked really hard, driving ourselves in a van across America with no money" explains Toby. "We played anywhere that would have us. When you've survived that, you feelindestructible."
Put it down to the touring, chemical imbalance or a ferocious self-belief, but The Duke Spirit's second album is a vindication of such an old school work ethic. Produced by desert rock guru Chris Goss (Soulwax/ QOTSA) over seven weeks in the spring, it has the absolute feel of a classic as timeless as the road itself. It is the band's winning moment, signaling a new beginning.
"'My Sunken Treasure' will be released in June 9th 2008. It is an achingly personal diary-entry about my obsession with endings" explains Liela. "Hopefully, when all is said and done, it will become one of those universally-understood tracks about sadness feeding on itself when loved ones split, in the same vain as the best soul tracks about the same thing; like Ahmet Ertegun's 'Don't Play That Song' or Holland-Dozier-Holland's 'Reflections'." Throughout, "Neptune" sees an ebb'n' flow of songs tracing high times and sad times; a seductive swamp of charged emotions, set to blistering guitars. |
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Q6 Dead or alive. What 5 acts would you have play with you at a festival?
The Clash
The Rolling Stones (1972 era)
Queens of the Stone Age
Sam Cooke
Candi Staton (late 60s era)
Q7 What do you usually do before the show starts?
Stretch.
Q8 if you were to collaborate with another musician, who would it be?
Probably Josh Homme. I think his one of the most innovative guys in rock music at the moment.
Q9 What music are you enjoying right now? Any recommendations for our readers to check out?
The Creepy Morons are a new band from London who toured with us. I really like them. The Archie Bronson Outfit too. They're currently recording their 3rd album. |
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Q10 Would you like to add anything for the Japanese fans?
Hopefully we'll see you soon!!!!
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The Step and the Walk
-Neptune-
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