Hi, thanks for talking to the DMC worldwide crew. You formed in 1998 in New York – your work utilizes a very modern approach to programming, but obviously has influences from some of the biggest ‘electronic’ legends from all time – who were your musical influences?
When we first started we were listening to more minimal electro stuff. The sound was very fresh and more underground 10 years ago. Stuff like Future 303, DMX Krew. IF, etc. Obviously we have moved on from that first impulse but that was where it started for us.
Warren, you formed what was an originally a duo with Casey Spooner – you were a classically trained musician and video artist and Casey was an experimental theatre performer, the group quickly grew to 20 performers including guest vocalists and dancers – what was your vision of where Fischerspooner was going from the early days? What did you want to stamp on the music world from your band?
I had always been into hardcore and classical. Not really into pop. But when I saw Casey perform our first song it was exciting and complicated. He was embracing this pop persona but also had a certain distance at the same time. Being it and commenting simultaneous. I also was excited about trying to make electronic pop music. It was against everything I had ever done or respected musically. When we started recording we really began to imagine the potential of what you could do with performance and electronic music. Since it is essentially a studio form of music and not about virtuosity, It gives you the opportunity to explore other aspects of performance. To make a show that is relevant to the content of the music and not about mimicking the production of music on stage. We were just excited about these kinda ideas and they really took on a life of their own.
Your debuted with the album ‘Best Album Ever’ and four years later came back with ‘Odyssey’ – a more structured set of tracks featuring live drums and guitars – very different from album one – why the change in direction?
We were ready for a change. We had been listening to the sound of the first record for years. We wanted to move on and take advantage of all the new opportunities we had before us. We could do more than just work on a laptop so it was all about exploring the recording and writing process. Working with top people in top studios and learning how pop music was made “professionally”. It was an incredible learning experience.
‘Odyssey’ had some classic tunes on the album – what were your favourite tracks from the release – what are you most proudest of?
I really like Everything to Gain and A Kick In The Teeth. But it is hard to pick. I have several favorites.
You have a big group of people on the tour bus – who is the craziest on the road?
Gia Mele and Stephanie Dixon can get kinda crazy. They are 2 dancers that we have been working with for years. We went to a fancy dinner in Brussels and before I knew it Stephanie had stolen Gia’s skirt and they were rolling all over the floor. We like dancers. They are fun. And don’t mind taking their clothes off!
Warren, how did yourself and Casey meet in the first place?
We met in a video class in art school. We also lived a couple blocks away from each other. Casey was always broke and would come over to my house and scavenge food. But it was cool and we would watch films like Touch of Evil or My Dinner with Andre.
So we go back to the hotel with the Fischerspooner posse after a gig, what sort of tunes would be blaring out of the i-pod making us groove?
Hmmmmmmm……. Maybe Bongwater, Mr. Oizo, SSION, The Gossip or Led Zeppelin.
So for the best time in five years, you are hitting the road with a live tour that incorporates music, theatre, fashion, feathered chorus girls, hairy monsters and glitter… who is behind the themes for these shows and what can we expect?
Well, we have been doing shows in Europe all along but it is the first time we are going out in North America. We didn’t get to tour Odyssey in the USA which was a BIG disappointment. This new show is very different. There will NOT be hairy monster and glitter and blood, that was the old show from #1. This is show is more restrained in a way. More minimal and about reflecting/embracing the economic crisis. I was initially inspired by a flamenco performance I saw in Spain. It was so simple and so raw and so powerful. I want to strip all the glitter and crap away and get to the core of performance. This is not about POP in the same way as before. I need something more pure and emotional. More formal. More experimental. Less about pretending to be Michael Jackson and excess and more about celebrating that eternal and pure core of a performer onstage. We have been looking at Noh theater as well which is very pure and almost alien.
Video artist Andrew Schneider who is now on board, a great addition to the team huh?
He is amazing and the show and becoming more and more video driven. Really finding ways to combine video and performance and it not just be a backdrop. He is really helping to create a very unusual performance that is moving closer to theater than pop music. Don’t get me wrong. We still sing and dance and it is a show. But is framed my more unique transitions and is more layered. He has been shooting the entire development process of the show since day one so you really witness this strange accumulation in the video of us working and growing and changing. From the rawest to the slickest and all at the same time.
What were the key members of the band doing before forming this superb act?
Killing time.
Best festival you’ve played at?
Coachella in the US, Benicassim in Spain, Opener in Poland.
What went wrong with Capitol Records?
They imploded. I don’t know if you’ve heard but the music business is in a downward spiral.
How important is the live show and how impressive it is to the audience for Fischerspooner?
Casey can’t live without the stage. It is his ritual, his religion, his calling. He is insane.
What else will you bring to us in 2009?
Just this album and the show. That’s enough!
Catch Fischerspooner LIVE as part of the Neon Noise Project – 1st May @ The Coronet, London
Fischerspooner ‘Entertainment’ released 4th May (Lo Recordings)
