Words by Paige Cobos
The passage of time is all around us, even when we do our best to try and ignore it. It is often the music we listen to that is a reflection of that clock ticking. There are some bands that will fight it while others just embrace it no matter what. LAPêCHE is one for embracing not fighting time. With the band’s new album Autotelic, that passage of time is celebrated along with the healing and gratitude it provides. It is an album that is art rock that shimmers but also grooves with a vulnerability that proves to be the band’s most exciting yet. Lead vocalist, Krista Holly Diem tells us about exploring a new sound for the band, vinyl records as art and how to choose a single for a new album.
Off Shelf: To start off, what would you say was the root idea behind Autotelic?
Krista Holly Diem: The idea that the finished product is not the goal, the goal is the making itself. An autotelicact. The creating, the collaboration, the connection – that is where the joy lives. And for the listener it’s just the listening.
OS: This album is a shift in sound for you as a band. What was the process like when exploring that?
KHD: That was the fun part for me! We were pushed to write as many songs as possible and then to narrow it down to what would make it on the album. To make that fun for myself I started trying different approaches and it ended up leading us in a new direction, not the opposite direction but a strangely comfortable one. We also were listening to so much New Wave during the writing, so I am sure that has a lot to do with it.
OS: The song “HAPPY 4U” is the single from the album. What goes into choosing the first single of an album?
KHD: We had the hardest time picking what songs would be singles. They all could be singles to us! It’s a gamble; guessing what will resonate with the public. We just voted really and asked some fellows their opinion too. Even though the record is out now, I still think, “Dang it, we should’ve had this one be a single!” [laughs] Happy 4 U though was a must. It felt like it needed to be out there for women to hear.
OS: What was it like filming the music video for the song?
KHD: I have a dance background and used to teach dance, maybe over 20 years ago. I was very excited to try and choreograph something fun, retro and easy. I wanted my closest girlfriends who are moms to be in it and also some teenagers to show a spectrum and highlight me not belonging to either group. I am not young and fertile nor am I a mother. Filming was a blast, we did it in an afternoon. I don’t get enough opportunities to dress up in 80’s workout gear. [laughs]
OS: The album art is quite unique. What was the process like in deciding this would be the face of the album?
KHD: The artwork is a painting of mine. It originally had no white on it and I hated the painting, so before I threw it in the trash, I used a big paintbrush and added the white. So making something good out of something bad seemed very fitting for the album.
OS: Since we live in such a digital media driven landscape, how important is physical media to you?
KHD: I don’t love digital. It’s convenient and is available anytime, so we do what’s suggested to stay current and in the “feed”. I don’t even like audiobooks. I want the actual book! I also don’t like to give away books after I read them. It’s art! Vinyl records are pieces of art too and are meant to be listened to in their entirety. That is so important to us! We are doing our part to help grow attention spans and teach these kids that things are worth waiting for.
OS: What was it like recording at Joshua Tree? Do you feel the setting brought something unique to the recording?
KHD: The desert is a wild place! It was pretty incredible to be surrounded by weird vegetation and wild desert animals. There seemed to be no rush there and for us there wasn’t. We had a whole month to record so everything got the time it deserved.
OS: Are there any plans for an upcoming tour?
KHD: Yes! We are chomping at the bit to tour. We are working on it right now. Hopefully late spring or early summer this year. Stay tuned!
OS: What do you want fans to take away from the new album?
KHD: Really, we just want people to feel like they belong and feel that we are all connected. To know that they are enough.
OS: Finally, what are you listening to currently?
KHD: I’ve been listening to Sea Lemon, Bjork’s Homogenic album, Pedro the Lion, Sylvan Esso, Tycho and Paul Bank’s song “Boundary Rider” this week.