Here's something you might be interested in.
http://sandiegoreader.com/users/photos/2012/apr/15/22901/
Italian Japanese have a new single "NYC," which you can download for free at http://filtermagazine.com/index.php/media/entry/mp3_italian_japanese_love_nyc_filter_premiere
Though the song just recently came to fruition, the inspiration dates several years back before Italian Japanese even came to be. Allen Nicholas and Chris McLaughlin were recording demos in Boston, escaping to NYC on days off to visit friends. A female bank robber was running rampant in the City at the time, and became the subject of Nicholas' daydreams.
"During that period of time, we developed a fondness for the city, especially the lower east side," said Nicholas, "I would hear about this girl that the cops could not seem to nab and imagine what it would be like as her partner in crime, running around NYC robbing banks like Bonnie and Clyde."
Fans of soaring guitars and mesmerizing shoegaze anthems should be thankful. Looking back just a few years, it's possible Nicholas might never have returned to music. Much like his Italian Japenese bandmates, music had fallen from Nicholas' good graces back then, and he found himself lingering on a hiatus that was looking increasingly permanent. All that touring, pouring his every effort into his pervious bands, he was just kind of done with it all and ready to move on.
But, as it often does, inspiration stepped in to guide Nicolas back again, first to recording a few songs on his own as sort of a creative cleanse and then to assembling a band based off his friends' outstanding responses. Soon, Italian Japanese was formed with the vigor of an artistic resurrection.
An all-American band built on pounding rhythms, dynamic guitar work and fully charged vocals reminiscent of the '80s and '90s most solid rock and roll, Italian Japanese founders Allen Nicholas (lead vocals, guitar) and Chris McLaughlin (guitar, keys) met up at a San Diego taco shop. With guitarist Sean Rodriguez and drummer Justin Greene, they released their debut album The Lush Romantic Weirdness in 2009, along with a video for their song “Le Pony.” Collectively, the band members have played SXSW and the Leeds Music Festival, as well as road trips with the Warped and Bamboozle tours.
Allen Nicholas moved to the Silverlake area of L.A., leaving members based in San Diego and Orange County. Original bassist Noah Willis returned to his homeland in Italy and was replaced with Joaquin Develasco.
In January, they released a new single, “Two Islands.” “It’s a relationship song about being in love with someone, and then realizing that you’re basically living on two different islands and there’s no way this is going to work,” says Nicholas.
“It’s coming to the realization that this person that you want to be with, it’s impossible. It’s just not going to work out.”
Through their songs, tales of the road and romance erupt with the challenge that comes in facing new conflicts and the comfort of finding your way through them. "I just hope down the line our songs can be something that people relate with a certain time or place with nostalgia," says Nicholas. "Whether it's happy or sad, to have that kind of effect on somebody is amazing."
http://sandiegoreader.com/users/photos/2012/apr/15/22901/
Italian Japanese have a new single "NYC," which you can download for free at http://filtermagazine.com/index.php/media/entry/mp3_italian_japanese_love_nyc_filter_premiere
Though the song just recently came to fruition, the inspiration dates several years back before Italian Japanese even came to be. Allen Nicholas and Chris McLaughlin were recording demos in Boston, escaping to NYC on days off to visit friends. A female bank robber was running rampant in the City at the time, and became the subject of Nicholas' daydreams.
"During that period of time, we developed a fondness for the city, especially the lower east side," said Nicholas, "I would hear about this girl that the cops could not seem to nab and imagine what it would be like as her partner in crime, running around NYC robbing banks like Bonnie and Clyde."
Fans of soaring guitars and mesmerizing shoegaze anthems should be thankful. Looking back just a few years, it's possible Nicholas might never have returned to music. Much like his Italian Japenese bandmates, music had fallen from Nicholas' good graces back then, and he found himself lingering on a hiatus that was looking increasingly permanent. All that touring, pouring his every effort into his pervious bands, he was just kind of done with it all and ready to move on.
But, as it often does, inspiration stepped in to guide Nicolas back again, first to recording a few songs on his own as sort of a creative cleanse and then to assembling a band based off his friends' outstanding responses. Soon, Italian Japanese was formed with the vigor of an artistic resurrection.
An all-American band built on pounding rhythms, dynamic guitar work and fully charged vocals reminiscent of the '80s and '90s most solid rock and roll, Italian Japanese founders Allen Nicholas (lead vocals, guitar) and Chris McLaughlin (guitar, keys) met up at a San Diego taco shop. With guitarist Sean Rodriguez and drummer Justin Greene, they released their debut album The Lush Romantic Weirdness in 2009, along with a video for their song “Le Pony.” Collectively, the band members have played SXSW and the Leeds Music Festival, as well as road trips with the Warped and Bamboozle tours.
Allen Nicholas moved to the Silverlake area of L.A., leaving members based in San Diego and Orange County. Original bassist Noah Willis returned to his homeland in Italy and was replaced with Joaquin Develasco.
In January, they released a new single, “Two Islands.” “It’s a relationship song about being in love with someone, and then realizing that you’re basically living on two different islands and there’s no way this is going to work,” says Nicholas.
“It’s coming to the realization that this person that you want to be with, it’s impossible. It’s just not going to work out.”
Through their songs, tales of the road and romance erupt with the challenge that comes in facing new conflicts and the comfort of finding your way through them. "I just hope down the line our songs can be something that people relate with a certain time or place with nostalgia," says Nicholas. "Whether it's happy or sad, to have that kind of effect on somebody is amazing."