RÜFÜS DU SOL

RÜFÜS DU SOL at Coachella

Photo: Matt Winkelmeyer/Getty Images for Coachella

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RUFUS DU SOL Announce ‘SOLACE REMIXED’ LP, Share First Dancefloor-Ready Remix

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"We've always loved people being able to put their own spin on our music in a new context... [The remix album] seemed like an opportunity not to be missed," the deep house trio said
Ana Monroy Yglesias
GRAMMYs
Jul 26, 2019 - 4:25 pm

Today, Australian deep house trio RÜFÜS DU SOL shared details of a new release on the way, SOLACE REMIXED, due out Sept. 6. The new album revisits 2018's SOLACE with a nod to the group's beginnings (and longtime fans) in the underground house scene, offering 18 remixes of the LP's dreamy, emotional tracks. The announcement was accompanied with the release of one of the "Solace" remixes, from Lastlings, the Aussie sibling duo on the RÜFÜS' own Rose Avenue label.

For the album, the group—consisting of Tyrone Lindqvist (lead vocals, guitar), Jon George (keys) and James Hunt (drums)—tapped big house and techno DJ/producers from across the globe. Adam Port, Audiofly, Cassian, Hot Since 82, Justin Martin and Gorje Hewek & Izhevski and others offer remixes for the album.

"We've always loved people being able to put their own spin on our music in a new context. It felt like at this point we were able to get in touch with some of the artists we admire and it seemed like an opportunity not to be missed. It allowed some more dance-orientated artists to create special moments for dance floors around the world," RÜFÜS explained to the Recording Academy over email, when we asked what inspired the LP.

We also wanted to know which remix surprised them the most. "Adam Port's remix of 'Underwater,'" they added, continuing, "It's amazing to see a remix played in clubs around the world that stays so true to the original. Where normally the people in that scene may have taken it into such an abstract or purest dance floor direction. What was cool and surprising about this remix is that it both stayed true to the original and gave it life in a new way." 

More: RÜFÜS DU SOL Go "Underwater" At Coachella

The group is currently on the road with their SOLACE World Tour, as they continue the North American leg of the trek, which began back in April after they offered stellar live shows and DJ sets during both weekends of Coachella. After shows in Austin and New Orleans this weekend, they'll take over Chicago at Lollapalooza on Thursday, as well as two official Lolla Aftershows; a live show at the Vic the night before and a DJ set at Spybar on Thursday.

You can listen to the "Solace (Lastlings Remix)" above, and pre-order/pre-save the album here. A special vinyl edition will be available to order this fall, with a release date set for Oct. 18.

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Jan Blomqvist

Jan Blomqvist

Photo: Christian Dammann

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Jan Blomqvist Talks Playing Coachella, Berlin Techno & Covering The Rolling Stones

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The German electronic artist, who made his debut in the festival's Yuma tent this Sunday, gets deep into Berlin's club scene, his desire to bring joy to the dance floor, the story behind his latest album, 'Disconnected,' and more
Ana Monroy Yglesias
GRAMMYs
Apr 17, 2019 - 4:13 pm

German singer/producer Jan Blomqvist makes ethereal house music with the intention not only to get people dancing, but also feeling and perhaps thinking. His latest album, 2018's Disconnected, which is inspired by his time spent at Burning Man, is based around the idea that in order to stay focused and healthy sometimes we need to remove all distractions.

Since November, he has been touring across Europe and the U.S. in support of the album, along with his live band on most dates. After he wraps up his second weekend playing Coachella, the band will join him for three dates in Mexico, after which they'll offer support to RÜFÜS DU SOL on several of their U.S. tour dates.

We caught up with Blomqvist from on the ground at Coachella 2019, not long after he played his one-man-show Sunday afternoon in the Yuma tent, the fest's well-loved house and techno stage.

You performed here at Coachella in the Yuma earlier today. How was it? How are you feeling?

Honestly, it was pretty difficult today because my moog was totally out of tune. If you know what a moog does, that's what they do. They just get out of tune and f*** you at the worst moment, and I tried to figure out and then I was so focused on retuning the synthesizer that I made so many mistakes on the right hand with the other instrument. It was really exhausting for me, but I think my friends here liked it, and the people in the audience which came later, were happy, so I'm happy as well, but a bit disappointed because I could have played better.

Did you realize it was out of tune when you started playing?

It was not out of tune in the beginning. This is the mystery about the moog. Nobody knows why they do it. You can use all other synthesizers, doesn't have this feature. I think they make it to sound more vintage, like in the '70s. And so that was my problem today, and I think I made it okay, but I'm looking very forward to next Sunday, to make it a 100% performance.

That's true, you have round two. Was it your first time performing at Coachella?

I've played at Do LaB before, but some people told me it doesn't count.

It definitely counts. When did you play at Do LaB?

I think so too. At night, two years ago. It was packed, like 600 people or something. It was cool.

So this was your first year on the main Coachella lineup. Well you have next weekend too, and at least no one knew that it was out of tune.

I hope so. I heard it immediately, and so, yeah, that's what I got stressed, and it's never good to be stressed on stage. That was my disappointing point of the day, but in the end it was still a good show, though, and it was a good energy. And as long as it's not totally failing, it always brings you further.

Have you been able to check out any other music at the fest? Is there anyone you're looking forward to seeing tonight?

Yesterday I wanted to see Billie Eilish and Bob Moses, but I worked way too late.

You get smarter when you getting older, so next time I have one week free before Coachella, also before Burning Man and then I'll have time to check out stuff. This time I played three shows and was in four cities. Yeah, it was stupid. I was traveling five days a row. It doesn't make sense. If you do Coachella or any big festival then you should focus on that and the other gigs can wait, honestly.

And DJs are humans, too. They need to have fun, right?

Yeah, but officially not.

Who are your biggest musical influences? What kind of music did you grow up listening to and what are you listening to these days?

I grew up with vinyls, with Bob Dylan, Rolling Stones and Mick Jagger. I think that's normal in our generation. Our parents had vinyls and we just played them. I'm still a huge Bob Dylan fan. I don't like Rolling Stones as much anymore, but I like Mick Jagger's solo project. It's still pretty amazing. He's old and has so much energy. He's kind of an idol. If I'm 75, I want be like this. And later on, of course, I got into normal things like Blur, Radiohead, Nirvana, Björk. I went through all this rock, hip-hop things, and then I moved to Berlin, and suddenly I was totally a techno addict.

What year did you move to Berlin? Was it at the beginning of the techno scene there?

In 2002. Everything was there. It was just a bit more underground than now. All the clubs are really set up in Berlin right now are exactly the same age, 17 years.

Which club is your favorite? I know, it's a hotly debated topic.

It depends on the day, really. On Sundays in Berlin it's the best; Sunday evening in Berghain is amazing. Monday in Sisyphos, Sunday at Kater Blau, Wednesday at Watergate, and it also depends on who's playing.

Berghain can be really amazing but can also be a sh*t show, and I don't want to talk bad about any DJs, but sometimes, in my opinion, it's really good and sometimes it's really bad, but the club's unbelievable. I have never seen any comparable club in the world. It's like made of a Tarantino movie. You come there and you feel like you'll get bitten by a vampire. I've been there, I don't know, 100 times, and still when I'm coming there I'm still like, "What the f*** did you build here?"

Do you feel like it's the same as when you first moved there? What about the techno and house scene has shifted in Berlin as it's become more of a destination?

It's definitely shifted. In the beginning, it was minimal only. It was super hard for me to get gigs, and the clubs even told me like, "Yeah, your music is nice, but nobody wants to hear this piano sh*t."

It was more like trance kind of minimal?

No, it's just minimal. I mean, Richie Hawtin did it in a really good way, and there were many people that tried to copy him and failed totally, that makes it really boring.

Berlin is changing all the time. That's what I love in that city. Since 2010 the music is super open and you can play everything, and I like that. It was really hard for me, the years between 2002 and 2006 or 2007. It was like every club played exactly the same music for like five years, and I was like, "What the f*** did you do to your DJs?" DJs should be free, right?

Why do you think it was kind of like restricted like that, and what do you think made it change to more open again?

I have no idea. I ask myself this question still.

So were you just trying to do your own thing? Did it make you want make even more different music?

I tried to break this because I think musicians should be free and you should give them a chance and a stage and just to make them play and I try to convince other musicians to not do just only one kind of music. I mean, the city is big. I cannot imagine that for four million people, everybody wants to listen to the same music. It's bullsh*t.

So, I tried to work harder and to get the gigs, and then finally it worked. Nicolas Jaar came and he was, I think, 17, and then everybody was like, "Whoa, he's 17 and he plays such good music." And then suddenly everybody was like, "Oh, we want piano in the club. Oh, what about vocals?" And then suddenly everything worked, and now Berlin is pretty open-minded when it comes to music, it's generally an open-minded city, I think.

That is interesting how sometimes it's one group or one artist that does something kinda new, that other people have also been doing, but for whatever reason, they catch on.

I mean, [that] was the same with Kurt Cobain, right? Suddenly, he came and then it was suddenly called grunge and there was a completely new genre. It's always like this. Somebody has to open the door and then it works, but the music is there before, of course, it just needs some one character who opens it.

What is the message or vibe you generally try to share when you play your music live, in both your tapered down club setup or in the band-backed live setting?

I mean, in the end it's just all my tracks and the band's just performing my tracks, so it's kind of the same music. But with a band, we play with breaks in between and not so much focused on the transitions and playing slower tracks, like 100 BPM sometimes 110, way more vocals. When you have a real drum set on stage, with real cymbals, it creates a completely different vibe. And with the band we have six synthesizers on stage, I think, and when I play solo I just have one.

So if the one gets out of tune…

Yeah. [Laughs.] Actually, it never got out of tune doing the whole recent tour with the band. Maybe that's why my tuner wasn't working.

"Every human has the same desire of just dancing, laughing and having good music, and that's the point, you have to make them happy. That's your mission as a musician. It's a responsibility."

What's your main purpose when you perform?

I want to make people cry but then laugh at the same time, to give them an edgy feeling that makes them really melancholic but then give them a super positive bass and kick drum. Like a good movie with a happy ending.

And, of course, dancing is important and just being happy. I mean, that's what you need all over the world, doesn't matter where you are. Why are clubs existing? Why is electronic music so big? It's because every human has the same desire of just dancing, laughing and having good music, and that's the point, you have to make them happy. That's your mission as a musician. It's a responsibility. You cannot go onstage and tell them, "F*** you. I don't care." You really have the mission to make them happy, and that's the job.

Can you talk about the inspiration behind your last album, Disconnected? It feels like the songs all have a story behind those ethereal beats, and I'm especially curious about "Synth For The Devil," which takes from the Rolling Stones song.

I mean, this song just came to me. I was here, actually, around the corner, like 50 kilometers from here in the [RANCHO V in Pioneertown, Calif.] studio, recording two tracks for our Disconnected album. Then suddenly J [Bowman] was there and Felix [Lehmann, co-producer] and I and my studio company, all just working just for fun on the Rolling Stones thing, just as a break, to have some fun. And then Jay came in like, "Wow, this is the track. I'm the best solo player for this track in the world." I was like, "Okay. Can you play it?" And he played really the best [guitar] solo ever, not totally tight, but nice. And yeah ... And then the idea come up and, "Okay, let's record it." And then we send it to the label for Mick Jagger and Keith Richards and they said "Yes."

Did they say they liked it?

Yeah, they liked it. And they answered in one day. We were like, "Okay. What the f***." Okay, then we do it. It's tough. I'm still not 100% convinced if this was a good idea or not because to cover tracks from these big characters is sometimes not a good idea, but when I play it live, it's fun. I think that's the most important thing.

And the Disconnected album. For me, it's important to have a concept album because then you have things you can talk about and that whole thing is more focused, and it's like you have a red line to follow. It's even easier to write lyrics, to write the music.

I was at Burning Man and asked myself, like, "Why are the people coming to this desert to make this huge festival just in an environment which is not easy. There's no water, no electricity, there's nothing. It's gets super hot in the day, super cold in the night. Why there?" And the only answer must be that people need to disconnect from their real life somehow, and the question is "Why is it so important to flee from your life?"

This whole album is about "why do we need to disconnect so much?" I think our generation suffers a lot from this virtual life that we're living in 50% already, and many people cannot even distinguish which is real, which is not, especially in Coachella. You can see so many people who think Instagram is more important than your real friends, and we have to question what our generation has to ask themselves like, "Where do we want to live in the next years and can we make it? How can we make it," and reflect yourself, "What can I do? Am I still real? Am I fake?"

And I don't want to give answers, I just want to give questions or lyrics to make people think, to reflect themselves. The album should be a mirror for the audience.

Agoria On Making His First Album In Eight Years, Playing Coachella & The Architecture Of Dance Music

Damian Lazarus

Damian Lazarus

Photo: Santiago Felipe/Redferns/Getty Images

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Damian Lazarus' Day Zero Tulum 2020: &Me, Audiofly, Black Coffee, Dubfire, Ellen Allien & More

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Aren't sure how you'll be celebrating surviving the '10s? How about in a jungle in Tulum, set to trippy beats?
Ana Monroy Yglesias
GRAMMYs
Oct 18, 2019 - 2:10 pm

Today, British DJ/Crosstown Rebels label head Damian Lazarus, beloved for the otherworldly soundscapes he channels in his DJ sets around the world, has revealed details for his Day Zero Tulum 2020 event. The Jan. 10 party once again features an epic offering of experimental house and techno DJ/producers, including Lazarus himself, from across the globe.

Helping guide the sound journey amidst the magic-filled Tulum jungle venue is South African house maestro Black Coffee, Berlin techno queen Ellen Allien, GRAMMY-winning Iranian-American house and techno heavy-weight Dubfire and London-based Italian vibey house master Francesca Lombardo, to name a few.

Along with Lombardo, Art Department, Audiofly and Bedouin are among the artists on the lineup who have released music on Lazarus' acclaimed Crosstown Rebels imprint.

Lazarus' one-day (well, his set typically journeys hours into sunrise the next morning) extravaganza is returning to Tulum for the seventh year. He first launched Day Zero in 2012, to coincide with the end of the Mayan calendar (Dec. 21, 2012, which was believed to be the end of the world).

He has since brought Day Zero to a select other locations, including Playa del Carmen, Mexico and, most recently, in Israel, for the first Day Zero Masada: Dwellers of the Dead Sea, at the base of an ancient palace. His Get Lost parties, launched as an alternative experience (really, an alternate dimension) at Miami Music Week over a decade ago, are another showcase of his eclectic musical tastes, many talented friends and next-level experiential parties.

Last weekend marked the very lit looking Get Lost New York debut. Damian will also be bringing his spooky, spacey sounds to a few more U.S. events this year, including DJ sets at Space Miami on Halloween and at HARD Day Of The Dead in Downtown Los Angeles on Nov. 2.

Tickets for Day Zero are not yet on sale, but will be posted, along with more details, on the event's site.

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The Do LaB stage at Coachella 2019

The Do LaB stage at Coachella 2019

Photo: Aaron Glassman/courtesy of Do LaB

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Elderbook, Dance Spirit, KMLN & Justin Jay Discuss The Magic Of The Do LaB At Coachella

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"Their vibe there is all about family feelings, colorful, playful and most of all inclusive," KMLN said of the special festival space
Ana Monroy Yglesias
GRAMMYs
Apr 20, 2019 - 12:46 pm

It is undeniably difficult to keep track of every artist on the Coachella lineup or the seemingly endless surprises that take place over the two-weekend event, as the fest is absolutely packed with talent and special moments. The whole desert experience is extemely well-curated, and the production value is unparalleled, so Coachella's long-term partnership with the festival and event experts at Do LaB, who create a festival-within-a-festival experience with the Do Lab stage, makes perfect sense.

Every Coachella, the Do LaB brings their colorful, fun vibes—which can also be found at their annual springtime Lighting in a Bottle fest—with their own expertly curated desert oasis experience. Their stage offers an always-stacked electronic music focused lineup, along with surprise guests that are revealed last-minute via their Twitter account and text message alerts.

Do LaB loves bringing stellar, unexpected collabs (Pete Tong and Guy Gerber linked up for a surprise B2B set during Weekend 1 this year), as well as bringing back old friends playing the larger fest (Bob Moses and RÜFÜS DU SOL stopped by to close out Weekend 1 at the stage, and Sofi Tukker hopped on for a surprise DJ set last night.). If that's not enough to get you on the road to Indio, Calif,. right now, the bumping sound system under a colorful, geometric shade structure, and playful moments brought to you by squirt guns are also pretty compelling.

We asked British GRAMMY-nominated electronic singer/producer Elderbook, who played at the Do LaB Weekend 1, along with L.A.-based dreamy-house duo Dance Spirit, Berlin-based cosmic-house duo KMLN (pronounced chameleon) and L.A.-native house music and live band blending master Justin Jay, the three of whom will be bringing the vibes this weekend, for an insider/artist's perspective of what makes Do LaB so special.

If you're at the fest, you'll want to make sure and catch Justin Jay today, Saturday, at 5:15 p.m. at the Do LaB, as well as KMLN on Sunday at 3:30 p.m., followed by Dance Spirit at 4:45 p.m., all of whom will be bringing their joyful energy, great jams and sunny vibes.

The Do LaB at Coachella 2019

The Do LaB at Coachella 2019 | Photo: Gina Joy/courtesy of Do LaB

You'll be playing the Do LaB stage this weekend, what are you most looking forward to about it?

Dance Spirit: There is so much to look forward to—the vibe, the amazing sound system, the people who are up for a trippy dance, and by the looks of it, the weather. Not to mention being able to listen to dozens of other world class musicians with our friends. The thing we are looking forward to about this set is being able to showcase and share our latest and greatest productions. 

KMLN: Do LaB is comprised of some of our closest family for over 15 years, it was only a matter of time that we could collaborate on their shapeshifting stage that sits right in the middle of the Coachella grounds. We're most excited to see everyone, it's like a homecoming for us as we've spent most of the last few years touring elsewhere in the world. It's been amazing and we're so blessed to get to experience the world but sometimes you miss you closest friends, and at the Do LaB there's lots of them.

Justin Jay: Throughout my times here at Coachella, even as the stage has evolved, the Do LaB has always been one of my favorite parts of Coachella. And my senior year of college, I played the Do LaB and, dude, I had friends on stage with water guns and, a chunk of high school friends here and chunk of college friends here, and it just felt like I was surrounded by homies. I'm just excited to be back in that environment, and the artists they curate; it's just a great experience.

You played at the Do LaB stage last weekend, what was your favorite part about it?

Elderbrook: Coachella was amazing. It's something I think every artist wants to play and I feel lucky to have been able to myself. My favorite part about it was testing out some new material that I've wanted to do for ages. I think it went down okay! 

What would you like to share with the Weekend 2 crew about your set?

Dance Spirit: We always craft and play original music and material and we've been jamming out in the studio writing new grooves and moods that we think will be appropriate for the festival.

KMLN: Regarding the vibe to expect, well, it's a daytime set [on Sunday at 3:30 p.m.] so we'll be bringing our brightest, most playful and adventurous chameleon colors. 

How would you describe the vibe and energy at the Do LaB stage?

D.S.: We've not only played the Do Lab stage before, but also their Lightning in a Bottle and Woogie Weekend as well. They have always strived for a top quality production, and most importantly, their attention to the sound. It is booming and comfortable and a producer/engineer, it is a real joy to be able to play on [their sound system]. 

The mood is always fun and always on. It's is a shaded structure and when it gets hot enough they water down the crowd with giant squirt gun hoses. Overall, it's super vibey and fun. Their reputation brings in the right kind of heads, but also attracts new ones as well. I think they did a great job curating the stage this year, and we are honored to be asked back.

KMLN: Their vibe there is all about family feelings, colorful, playful and most of all inclusive. [We] really enjoy the variety they offer with their lineups each year. And the water guns. 

Elderbrook: The energy of the crowd was great. It was the first day of Coachella 2019 so everyone was full of energy. I love playing festivals but this was a new level!

J.J.: It's just a great, great time, you know? Water guns, bubbles, friends…And [you meet new people and] you're like, "Ah, we can be friends too." That's cool.

You've played Lightning in a Bottle before too; do you feel like the Do Lab stage is like a mini version of that within the larger Coachella vibe?

D.S.: That is a great question.  I would have to say that LiB is its own unique festival considering the fact that it is a varied curation of many genres over three or four stages. We have always played the Woogie stage at LiB and it is always a switched on dance party—so I would say that the Do LaB stage has more of the Woogie/Favela Bar vibe. The LiB festival goes further into musical territory in my opinion.

As far as context at Coachella, I would assume that the Do LaB experience is for people who are excited for the lineup or others who are looking for something new. An enticing dance floor is always more experiential and is more welcoming of participation than a pop music/band area. You [can] go to listen to a band, but at Do LaB you go to feel it and let it move you. In the end, we will let the Instagram influencers decide [laughs].

KMLN: It's true, we've played LiB five years as KMLN and we're pretty sure we've had the honor to play every one of their stages. This seemed like a good year to take a break from that and join the little LiB that is the Do LaB stage at Coachella. The main difference is at Coachella you're missing all the beautiful art, workshops, games and the adventures you can have finding strange little nooks of delightful surprises that makes LiB so special. 

Elderbrook: Yes, definitely! The whole experience of the stage and the art behind it definitely reminds me of LiB. 

What does it mean to you to be a part of Do Lab's curated Coachella experience?

D.S.: [It's] an opportunity that we are grateful for and it has motivated an intense amount of creativity in a short amount of time. Needless to say, we are excited, and dare we say one more time, excited to play on that sound system!

KMLN: It's so exciting and an honor to be playing on the same grounds as so many legends of music history. We love Do LaB so much and wanna grow old with them

Elderbrook: It means so much. Like I said, playing Coachella is so many musicians dream and to be part of it just felt amazing. Hopefully I’ll one day return!

J.J.: It means I’m gonna play my favorite stage at the festival while surrounded by friends. Even though it’s grown into a large stage, it still feels so intimate. I love how people dance on stage, as a DJ it really feels like you're a part of the party. Water guns, acrobats and veggie burgers all help as well [laughs]."

RÜFÜS DU SOL Are Ready To Go "Underwater" At Coachella

RÜFÜS DU SOL

RÜFÜS DU SOL

Photo: Le Fawnhawk/Courtesy of artist

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RÜFÜS DU SOL Are Ready To Go "Underwater" At Coachella

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The Aussie dance trio talk returning to the California fest, where they plan to premiere a James Frost-directed short film for album track "Underwater"
Ana Monroy Yglesias
GRAMMYs
Apr 10, 2019 - 4:12 pm

Australian alt-dance group RÜFÜS DU SOL, comprising Tyrone Lindqvist, Jon George and James Hunt, have been making dreamy live house music since 2011 with their debut, RÜFÜS EP. 2016 was a big year for the group; they released their sophomore studio album, Bloom, in January and made their Coachella debut that March. They see the festival as a pivotal turning point in success as a group, especially in the U.S. market, and are excited to return to the fest three years later.

This time they are listed at the top of the lineup for their Friday evening set both weekends, and will be premiering their latest project, a 360-degree short film to accompany one of the fan-favorite tracks from 2018's Solace, "Underwater." It was directed by GRAMMY-nominated music video director James Frost—he earned the nod for Radiohead's "House Of Cards"—for an immersive experience in the HP Antarctic Dome at Coachella.

Read on to hear from band members Jon and James about who and what they want to check out at the fest ("We can lose hours in the Yuma Tent," says James) and working with Frost for the video. They also discuss the creative process for recording their last album (they got fancy synths and set up shop in Los Angeles!) and translating it live on stage.

What are you most looking forward to about Coachella?

James Hunt: For us it's pretty special because we played Coachella for the first time in 2016. That felt like a really important turning point for us in our career, especially in the U.S. It felt like after that set we found a lot more momentum. I think the visibility that it gave us, and the ability to play in front of that many people really helped us out. It feels really special to be returning to the site of it.

And one thing we love about Coachella, especially from that time when we were there roaming around and exploring, was how it isn't just about the artists and the bands that are playing, but it's a really well curated array of experiences and interactive art pieces; it allows the ability for everyone to curate their own little journey. So we're excited to gallivant around and go on our own little journey.

What other acts do you want to check out during the festival?

Jon George: Childish Gambino, [Anderson] .Paak...

James: Tame Impala, fellow Australian. Stephan Bodzin. The electronic contingent is always really strong at Coachella too, we found. We can lose hours in the Yuma Tent under the disco ball shark thing.

Jon: Over at the DoLab [Stage] as well they always put on some good stuff. 

Can you talk about working with James Frost for the "Underwater" short film that you are releasing soon?

James: It's been a really pleasurable experience working with him. And especially considering his resume, you know a talented director of music videos for Radiohead, for Coldplay. We love his work and so then we found out we were able to work with this guy and he was gonna have a visual response to our song "Underwater," we were pretty blown away.

Beyond that he's just a really humble and really nice, personable person. He's allowed a lot of creative back and forth, which we really enjoyed that kind of process. And also he's just someone who has a very specific visual concept. He knows exactly specific visual things that he wants to explore. We've seen the work in progress as what the "Underwater" experience will be like in the dome. It's gonna be very, very special.

What are you most excited about in regards to premiering at Coachella?

James: I guess we're mainly excited to see it. We've seen different snippets and different things along the way. And we've made a kind of cinematic soundscape that goes for about a minute before the actual song starts. So it will be really cool to see what the visuals are like that they've created to go with them.

Jon: Yeah, and also the surround sound experience as well. It's gonna be a pretty mind blowing experience for us on that first day of watch as well. Excited for everyone to see it.

So it will be a full premiere for you as well?

James: Exactly.

"It was our therapy in the studio in a way, being able to put all that onto paper, or onto track. I think that's where the emotionality, personality and intimacy on the record really started to shine through."

The whole Solace album it feels really deep and passionate. What's the back story on the album?

James: Coming into our third record we'd been touring for two years pretty non-stop leading into it. And we started again for the third time with this record to pack up and sort of isolate ourselves and move somewhere different, with the whole purpose of sort of pushing ourselves out of our comfort zone. And that just sort of rifled right through the whole process with us sort of getting rid of our normal workflow and deleting a bunch of stuff on our computers and starting fresh with a whole new live room.

We bought all the synthesizers and toys that we've been dreaming of over the last few years and finally we're able to do that. And we set up this sort of adult playground for ourselves in the studio in Venice [Calif.]. We would just get up each day and unveil the curtain inside and loose many hours in there writing music.

And I think with that isolation with the new relocation into a new place and that sort of workflow that we had going on, we started to just lose ourselves a fair bit in the music. It was towards the second half of the process that we started realizing how unhealthy it can be for your personal life with pushing everything aside and that started to drive home with us and that's where that naturally came out. It was our therapy in the studio in a way, being able to put all that onto paper, or onto track. I think that's where the emotionality, personality and intimacy on the record really started to shine through.

Was that the first album you recorded in the States?

James: Yeah, that was the first record that we've recorded in America. The record before that we wrote about half of it in Berlin, and the other record we wrote on the South Coast of New South Wales in Australia. So we knew that we liked sort of picking up everything and starting fresh somewhere new and that definitely inspired the start of this process and we really enjoyed living in Venice at the time.

What is your favorite part of translating the album and that emotion live on stage?

Jon: One thing that we always find when we finish an album or finish music and then we're preparing to play it live, if the song hasn't been released there's a little bit of a nerves scenario as to how are people going to be responding to it. Are they going to like it? If there's a slight change in direction will they be open to that? There's all those thoughts that go through your head.

One of my favorite parts this time was as soon as we put the record out in Oct. last year we started a tour pretty much a week later, where we were able to for the first time see peoples' reactions in real time to a lot of this new music.

So much of those reactions were really powerful; emotional reactions where'd you see people bawling their eyes out, people having cathartic experiences on the front rail. Those really impressionable things that leave a mark on you then, having put that music out. That's one of my favorite things; our ability to write something but then when you play it live and there's such a communication between you and the audience as well, like a dial almost. Seeing their reactions is like one of the most powerful things I feel.

That's so cool. You guys have a busy tour schedule this year; what else is up next for the group and what are you all most excited about for 2019?

James: This Coachella run has been something that we've been working towards for so long. We've been really making this the first real pillar of the process after writing the record. And from here we've got some amazing pillars after that. With Red Rocks the two shows there sold out in one day which just blew our minds. I didn't even know that we had a second one ready to go. So things like that, we've got shows at the Greek Theater in Berkeley [Calif.] and we're about to announce some more big stuff.

Those are gonna be some really, really epic moments for the band. We're really trying to keep honing in the show and reinventing it and that's where we have the most fun. We've been trying to change the set list up each night on tour; write new covers and just chuck them in and keep it really fresh for ourselves. So we're gonna keep doing that throughout the rest of the year and keep reinventing the whole lighting spectacle and that's what's really exciting us at the moment.

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