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LAist Interview: Jets Overhead
Jets Overhead tours their ass off, having shared the stage with The Stills, The Dandy Warhols, Stars, Our Lady Peace, Tegan and Sara, Powderfinger and 54*40, to name a few. Since forming Jets Overhead in 2003, this five piece from Victoria, BC has mezmorized crowds at home and abroad with their hypnotic take on psychedelic rock. Recently singer Adam Kittredge sat down for an interview with LAist.
What's life like when you guys are touring?
life is good on the road. it is generally exciting and it beats working bars in victoria. my only complaint is that there is often very little time to see the city we are playing in by day. night is for working and day is for sleeping in a van when touring.
When can Los Angeles expect a show from you guys?
2007 is the year for joh to take it south goddammit! nothing official to report though. we played LA twice in support of our debut EP, but we've yet to play it on this first full-length (Bridges). hopefully that'll change soon.
Your album Bridges is hot, tell us about it?
hot...like "oooo that's hot, too hot for the hot tub....yeooooow." may he rest in peace. or was that only from eddie murphy's spoof as the godfather of soul? not sure. in all seriousness, it's an album we're proud of...it's about movement and journeying, and we tried to infuse it with an hypnotic quality like taking a roadtrip. But we also honor the great songwriting traditions, hence a memorable melody is always at the base of everything we do (or at least we hope).
How did you dudes hook up with Neil Osborne?
We did some touring with neil's band 54/40 when we were younger. we played in a different incarnation of joh. he was always very friendly and supportive of the young up and comers. when it came time to choose a producer for the first full length jets record we new we wanted someone with a songwriting background and someone who new what they liked. someone who was ready to voice their opinion - good or bad. plus he wrote 'ocean pearl'...one of my personal faves.
What artists has influenced the bands sound?
the doves, radiohead, simon and garfunkel, oasis. just to name a few.
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Whats the best/worst thing about being from Canada?
best thing about being from canada is that neil young is canadian. the worst...let's just say they're not called 'dimeback'.
Does BC really have the best weed?
ahhh the classic question...i personally can't say as i know for i have yet to try the brazilian monkey weed, the kiwi krack, and/or the marsupial chacken weed i keep hearing so much about.
What is the band working on next?
bridges has recently been released in japan and is due to be released in europe. our goal is to play shows in both territories. in the near future we are playing sxsw in austin this march and hope to find ourselves state side later in the year. as for new music...we are starting to write and record demos for a new record.
What is the process for writing your songs?
most of our songs were conceived in jam sessions....first the music, then the melody, then the lyrics is our usual process although we are currently demoing some new songs separately and hope to bring those to the jets sound this spring.
Any last words for the LAist.com readers?
donate your spare money to musicians whenever possible!
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