Eric Lovold and I sat down in a St. Paul restaurant and talked about the reuniting of the band, the new album, and the band’s approach to music. The Alarmists were criticized in some circles, while re-structuring, “… now that the group has quietly disbanded, they will lay amid a wasteland of local bands that could have been, should have been, but will sadly never be what we hoped.”(City Pages) A short sighted statement that will be contradicted with the release of The Alarmists new album “The Overhead Left”, which shows that the band, and their music can and will persevere!

While I listened to The Overhead Left, I got the impression that I was listening to a band that has hit a high point in the Indie scene, gotten some backlash for their success, and matured into a stronger beast.

You definitely try to. I think that every record you make you try to do it better than the last one. As far as any backlash, you just kind of go with it… making albums is a weird thing… you just try to make the best music you can, that’s what you do. We are still a pretty young band, this is our second full length and (I think) it creates a congruent path from where we are to where we want to be. It’s definitely the work that we’re most happy with at this point.

This is the first time in three years that Joe Kuefler, Ryan McMillan, and you have worked together, what was it like making a record with people whom you consider to be friends?

It was really great! Ryan and I have been playing music together for a long time, (along with) Joe, and to have themback is pretty cool. (Joe) left because he had some life things he wanted to do that were important to him, and we respected that. In this situation we had an opportunity where it made sense to have Joe come and work with us. It was cool to have all of us in the studio together (and be) working on stuff together. In the past we were all involved in writing the songs. However, the songs for this album were originally written without Joe. He came in with a completely objective perspective about the songs. Joe provided a fresh ear, from a musicians’ standpoint, which is rare. (Since) A lot of times, bands have everybody together working on the songs from scratch and building the project…but when Joe came in the basic tracks were laid down and he was able to really have that fresh approach/ fresh ear… and he flipped the table of things because of that. I was producing the album, so when I brought him in he was able to add a different standpoint on things. (This was) advantageous to the album, because he (Joe) is good and smart at making music (by) being able to hear things that are outside of the box.

Where is “the congruent path” leading you? Where do you want to be?

Honestly, I think what we want to do is to continue making records. I have always wanted to make albums similar to one’s that I love and respect. An album is a group of songs that really encapsulates what you are capable of in a studio setting but also projects this thing… which I know is kind of elusive. To make an album that’s a statement of where you are as a person but also what you think is music that moves people and means something to them. I’ve always liked those records that bring me to that place. For instance, right now I’ve been listening to Beck’s Modern Guilt a lot. When I listen to it I (hear) a moment in time that’s so perfect (and) that speaks to me!  That is what I want to create with my records, and that’s were I’m at. (As a band) We’re trying to do albums that matter to us.

I know that I am not the only female fan that has been wondering about “the girl” that has been a common theme throughout your records. Every character creation is inspired by a person in the author’s life. So, who is the muse? (Come on! You can’t tell me that this question has not crossed your minds!)

I wouldn’t say that there is a specific muse per say. I would certainly say that there are elements of your life that come through in music. A lot of times songs that you’re writing come from the past. Lyrically we have always believed that less is more. We have tried to state things in a way that will appeal to the listener’s life, and that could also be about me personally. It can have many layers. One thing that I have experienced with songs is that the meaning of them changes as years go by. I think that also stands true for albums. When you write them they could have one meaning, and that meaning will alter in time. There are moments on the album that I remember as personal and pointed, but not the entire album. They can’t be all about me and my life, because people would not be able to relate to it as well.

One particular song off of the new album “Hollywood’s Not My Home” possesses wisdom. The wisdom one gains from lifting a veil of ignorance, lies and illusions. I get the feeling that although a part of you knows your music could thrive in L.A. you would wilt. Do you now have an understanding of what life there would look like in L.A., and is that image undesirable?

The chorus developed from a joke. The line that states “…they said I should know everyone’s all alone”, and I thought “Hollywood’s not my home” rhymed. Then it was easy to write a tongue in cheek commentary on stereotypes of that (L.A.) lifestyle. It’s about the entire culture of people who just want to know; who you are, how are you popular, how are you successful, and why aren’t you on tour? We’ve (put our lives on hold) to go on tour and it was just extremely hard. We realized that its time to make records while having our own lives. That’s the idea behind the song.

Your records give an account of an alter ego or Rock star character who is struggling with the trappings and consequences of success. Is this your hero’s journey, or is it the band’s?

It’s more of an idealized version…it’s the struggle of anyone in a band. A lot of our lyrics have been about what it’s like to be a musician, but not on this grand scheme of success or popularity. ‘Cause I don’t think that we’ve been very successful in that case. I mean that in an honest way. We have a great local fan base and they’re amazing! But, we have not toured a lot and, we are not a big national band. I think that writing about what it’s like to be in a band is important to me. There are sacrifices, not in a ‘poor me’ way. It is a choice to play music and go for it. We’re talking about running a full time business on top of your full time job. When you have five or six musicians doing that it’s not easy. We do it because we love it. It’s important to make music and important to work for it, but it’s different then most people think it is. You’re not just going to be in a band, and be huge, and be amazing. You will sit in a recording studio for three months (not seeing day). When you’re young you have a much more optimistic view point, you think that if you just keep working at it something is going to happen. The point that I’m at right now is that it doesn’t matter if you make it on a national or world wide level. What matters is that you’re making music that you care about. If you do that for you and the love of the art, then it’s worth it. There are people that support us very well, and those are the people that we want to continue making music for…We’re not out to be rock stars. I have a recording studio in my basement, and we can make music there any time.

I know that you are contributing your engineering talents and producing Stellar Vectors new album. How is it different working on an album that you did not write?

I’m having a great time doing (the Stellar Vector album). They have really cool songs. I think that the guitar playing is fantastic. They’re all great musicians. I can’t wait to hear what David (Daydodge) does with the mix.

On June 12^th at The Varsity, The Alarmists are releasing their album “The Overhead Left”, and performing with the 757’s, The Championship, and Coach Said Not To. Show starts at 8p.m. and you will be kicking yourself if you miss this one! However, in partnership with Rock The Cause, The Over Head Left will be available directly on the Rock The Cause website for download starting June 12th for 36 hours.

Links:  MySpace/ Facebook/ Rock The Cause

posted June 8th, 2009 at 9:29 am MN Rock, Music News, Reviews Rock the Cause, The Alarmists