Hello all. Rudy (I'm the intern) here with Mitchfork. We at Mitchfork felt that, in these cold winter months, there's no better place to be than by a crackling fireplace. So we invited some of our musician friends to chat with us down by the hearth.
This week's guest? Julian Plenti. Some call him Paul Banks. Those people disgust us.
Jules my man, welcome to the fireside. Let's have a chat.
Julian Plenti: Is that fireplace electric?
Nah, it just sparks a lot. But let's continue! Congrats on your debut.
Julian: Seriously, that fireplace is freaking me out. Can we go to the kitchen or something?
Only if we run! Ha--get it?
Julian: Yeah, it's my opening track. (eye roll)
Dude, not cool. We'll completely record the eye roll part too. Look, we invited you to our fireside, least you can do is laugh at our jokes.
Julian: Well maybe if you put Skyscraper in your top albums of 2009.
Damn it man we agreed not to talk about this. Get over yourself.
Julian: Just saying, I think it was a pretty great debut. A departure from the signature sound of Interpol.
And by that you mean the signature sound of Joy Division?
Julian: Are you serious dude? We don't sound anything like Joy Division. And freaking embers are landing on me.
Oh I was just kidding. Come on man, don't take yourself so seriously. We'll just put the album in an article titled: "Top Albums by Front men from rapidly fading indie-rock bands". You'll beat out Julian Casablancas easy.
Julian: Can we go off the record?
Sure.
Paul Banks: Great. Now, off the record, this is complete horse shit. I could easily have done this interview with Spin; I'm only here because you're my cousin.
Yeah, and what would Uncle Bernard say if you bailed on me?
Paul: Oh come on. Don't tell Dad about this. He already thinks I'm on drugs.
Ok then, I won't. Let's just continue the interview. I promise it'll only be softball questions from now on. Come on cuz.
Paul: Fine. Whatever. Ask away.
Great! So Julian, do you believe "On the Esplanade" is a good example of you embracing the creative freedom of a solo effort? It's a real departure from anything Interpol has done.
Julian: Yeah I would say so. I've always wanted to do a hushed acoustic number, to showcase a quieter side.
Yeah, very eerie sounding. And how does it feel to realize all your best work is already behind you? I mean, there's no way you guys are coming close to matching Turn on the Bright Lights. Just isn't happening.
Julian: This interview is over.
See you at Thanksgiving! Gchat me sometime!
Fireside Chats will continue until all the snow melts. Next week's guest? Stephen Malkmus!
