We first heard about the New York band Slowlands a few months ago, or more, and have been meaning to write about them since. With a layered and oft orchestral sound sharing the forefront with well crafted lyrics, they get a lot of airplay on our iPod. Their songs lingering in our head aren't always of the dreamy variety, the band also knows how to (as the kids say) rock out. Nick Sylvester even thinks they have a song that sounds like Clap Your Hands Say Yeah, but we're not making any comparisons here.
Listen:Eisenstein.mp3
Live: Tonight @ Mercury Lounge, 10:30pm
Let's get this out of the way, where did your band name originate?
We wanted a name that was broad in scope. Something that was adaptable to a lot of things. So we decided to create a whole country. I figured we could give everybody titles/offices. Right now, I’m running for Slowlands Comptroller against Joe. I am also a big fan of Badlands, the Terrence Malick film, so it’s an homage to that of some sort.
What is your first conscious memory of living in New York?
I grew up in Long Island. So I’ve always sort of lived in the area. New York was a much scarier place when I was young. I thought of it a lot like the way Taxi Driver looks at it. Crime. Getting stabbed. Gangs. The Fox 5 News news desk. I never saw any of it. I remember really wanting to go see Starlight Express.. I saw Ed Koch once. He asked “How am I doing?” I didn’t know.
What is your favorite/least favorite memory involving New York?
Favorite: Game 7. 1986 World Series. I won tickets for the game on the radio and then yelled so much I couldn’t speak for a week afterward.
Least: Getting hustled at age 15 by some thugs after a De La Soul show. They rapped about aliens & President Clinton and then got me to give them money for their “album.” When I opened it at home, it was a Heavy D CD Single.
What is your favorite place to drink in NYC, and what's the best night to go out?
Either Hi-Fi or the Levee in Williamsburg. I think I’m still in Brownies and the jukebox is unlimited. Don’t have much of preference for nights. I would say Sunday night you will meet the strangest folks. The ones don’t have anywhere else to go.
What is your favorite/least favorite thing about playing shows in New York? Is there a difference between shows in Manhattan and Brooklyn?
My least favorite fact of playing shows in NY is the amount of stuff people in New York schedule in one night. Everyone comes to the show and then leaves to go to some bar before you’ve had a chance to talk. Not having to drive home is probably the best part. As far as a difference b/w Manhattan & Brooklyn, it really depends on the venue. I really like the more DIY venues, tends to be more people there who are real music fans.
Do you think your New York connection shows in your music? If so, how?
Sure. As a New Yorker, I think it has to. It’s just so different than anywhere else. It’s humbling to be just one of so many people in such a small area. The pace is unmatched anywhere. Buildings are so tall. That kind of stuff sneaks in. I want to do a New York record one of these days.
