The French Horn Rebellion Hits London
Hi guys. Well a whirlwind time for you at the moment, worldwide gigs, all over the shop press wise, Radio 1 championing you…
Robert: Yes of course. Since releasing ‘Up All Night’ and now ‘Beaches and Friends’ we’ve been swept across the world, playing UK, France, Germany, Austria, Switzerland, Netherlands, Brazil, USA, Canada – the list goes on and on. We’ve truly travelled farther from home than our momma back in small-town Wisconsin could ever dream possible. It’s pretty cool-we definitely have to soak it in, as after three months we’ll probably be back living at home with her!.”
David: In 2007 I remember telling my good friends Derek Muro and Paul Hammer that I really wanted to travel…I made a wish and my dream came true – it has always been a big dream of mine though to see the world and learn about things that are outside of my own immediate surroundings. Being from the US hopefully we’re good ambassadors. We really are super interested in all of the wonders of this world and have a big desire to explore other places and try to understand what makes each place distinctive and/or similar.”
Robert, the name comes from the fact you’re quite an accomplished player of the French horn aren’t you?
Robert: “Well I WAS a somewhat accomplished French horn player. Since we started touring it’s been increasingly difficult for me to find practice rooms. The only time I get to bust it out these days is on stage and in the dressing room for warm ups. Honestly, though I don’t think my horn teachers would think I’m accomplished. I did well at my university (Northwestern University) and played in the Chicago Civic Orchestra for a year. However, at this point they’ve kind of dis-owned me in a way. They’re big facebook talkers, and respond to every wall post from a student. The last couple of times I posted something on their facebook wall I’ve gotten nothing.”
David: “Robert really is very good at the French horn, it’s how the project really started.”
Did you get on well growing up as boys, brothersd like a good fight?
Robert: “We actually got along surprisingly well. For part of our childhood we grew up in a countryside area and used to take a lawn-mower and cut grass in the shape of football and baseball fields. We’d then play against each other man-o a man-o. However, I do remember sometimes being “the annoying younger brother”.
David: “When we were really young I remember thinking – gosh I can’t wait till Robert gets older and I actually can really play with him…because you know when we were little kids I’d have to let him win at goalie wars or something so that he stayed interested.”
At what age did you decide to collaborate and make sweet music?
Robert: “Well…we have been making music for a really long time together. I think our first public collaboration was playing together in church on Christmas Eve 1998. Our oldest brother also played French horn, and David played bassoon. So, David would compose arrangements of Christmas songs for two horns and a bassoon. It was weird, but made our parents proud.”
David: “I think we’ve always been making music…our Mom really thought it was important that we learned about culture and art – our dad was a professional football player and she was worried we would fall in love with sports and not care about music, drama or art.”
You guys are from Milwaukee, now residing in Brooklyn…can you tell us an interesting fact about Milwaukee?
“Our family on our Grandpa’s side has actually been in Milwaukee for a few generations and they were from Germany. It’s a little-known family secret that we helped people make their own beer during prohibition. Also, from 1910-1960 Milwaukee had 3 socialist mayors.”
What is your favourite thing about playing in London?
Robert: “Man, we LOVE London. It’s great because it has a European vibe, but everybody speaks English! It’s hard to go to countries that speak languages you don’t understand. Also, when in London, it’s great to turn on the radio, and actually be able to hear people you’re friends with in NYC. I’ve heard more independent, awesome music on Radio 1 during the 3 weeks we’ve been in the UK than the entire time I’ve been in New York City on US mainstream radio.”
David: I second the love London vibe. My favourite times have been hanging with the people we met there. We have been really lucky to have run into such phenomenal people. Also we have a good friend named Peter Lewin who was best friends with our older brother in NYC and he lets us crash at his amazing flat sometimes and we can do our laundry in luxury…and he is a phenomenal cook.”
What has been the highlight of your musical career to date?
Robert: “Playing in front of 1500 passionate Brazilians in Sao Paulo, Brazil. Either that, or having a backstage swimming pool in Vienna with semi-naked girls in it.”
David: Touring with Database across the American desert…we are not alone.”
What festivals do you have lined up for the summer?
Oh man, I think we’ve got a lot…we will also be doing a quick 4-show tour with Cut Copy! We’re so excited, it will be amazing.”
‘Together’ at The Coronet, London on Friday May 21st with Aeroplane, Switch, Popof and Riva Starr. Check out Will.I.Am on Friday May 28th.
