Interview: A Meeting Of Important People
Come gather ’round, I’ll only tell you Once…
There are some albums only a mother could love. Meeting of Important People’s self titled album is one that you can love. But hide it from your mother, because she won’t even be annoyed with it; possibly destroying that delicate balance you have with her.
Their songs have a fun and memorable indie pop sound; their lyrics clever and… Let’s just come out and say it: listening to them makes you smile. Not because the music is particularly happy, but because it’s good music, and you long for that.
Currently the guys are in a great place; on one of the most revered indie record labels, Authintik Records, playing CMJ and Toronto’s International Pop Overthrow Festival, and being media darlings.
Does your name translate to you guys getting together and jamming or is it a reference to a more sinister meeting of important people such as the Bilderberg Group. Or something in-between?
It’s a gag on some of the modern indie band names, pitchfork-type bands — lots of conglomerates, collectives, associations. Groups of people that are mysterious and seemingly well-known from other things, coming together to make well-reviewed music for you to LOVE.
Who is Brittany Lane and why don’t she care?
Brittany is a friend of mine that I knew in my hometown, before she moved to LA. She didn’t become a stripper or anything like that. Her name sounded nice in the song, was just a melody I was walking around singing. She’s still a good friend.
What gave you the idea to make an all cardboard city for your Latest music video Brittney Lane Don’t Care?
The video’s director, Thom Glunt, had been holding onto that idea and found the perfect group of suckers to work with for it. We had a blast and spent more time doing the video than our record I think. Thom is now doing an RJD2 video, the guy from the MAD MEN theme song.
Word on the street is you are comprised of an earlier group The You in 2006. What series of events fell to create Meeting of Important People?
THE YOU was a band I had when i was a kid, and the usual unpleasant stuff happened that made it all go to shit. Learned a lot from the experience and am happy to be working with much more positive people these days. Don’t by The You record online, just send me an email.
You just played CMJ in New York last week. What was it like playing there?
A total blast, and absolutely loved the other acts we were performing with. Played in an area of Brooklyn where people get macheted, apparently.
How do your mom’s feel about the song ‘Mothers Pay More’? Are you parents pretty supportive of the band?
Moms are very pleasant people, especially our moms. That song tries to talk about your mother sometimes being the only person that likes your band at all.
Your song “Every Street” was used in a recent episode of the Ghost Whisperer on CBS. How do you think this will affect your career?
It’s a nice honor to have a song featured on a network show, and will be a good resume item. Other than that, the song wasn’t particularly audible, so I’m not sure we’ve seen more traffic from it.
Many people believe your album falls into the Commercial Category was that your intent or is that something you are concerned about?
It was very much the intent– all my favorite works, regardless of how weird or challenging they are, can also fit nicely into the mainstream. Like, “Boogie Nights” is about some pretty offbeat stuff, and has its own unique pacing and themes compared to a standard Hollywood movie…but, there’s stars that you recognize in it, and its shot with such nice production values, that it can succeed at being both weird and “normal”. That was the idea of our record, it being our first record we decided to make it a little more palatable. The next thing we do will sound a little more like our actual band, a rougher three-piece thing.
How does it feel to be playing at the international Pop Overthrow in Toronto on Saturday November 28th?
Really looking forward to it, had to dust off the ol’ passports for this one.
Any shameless plugs you would like to add?
Please check out our new cardboard city music video. People are being amazing about it.
~Alexis Paige~
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