With their new single ‘Ceiling of Plankton’ out at the end of the month we thought it appropriate to see how Louisiana quintet Givers are getting on with things so we got some time to talk videos, guilty pleasures and what they can’t live without on the road.
US: Tell us how you first got into playing in music?
GIVERS: Music was a part of most our lives growing up; some of us exposed through family, school band, or the community of where we come from. Lafayette has a distinct love for eclectic music, from Cajun to Zydeco to international sounds. I think being raised in an area with that sort of music awareness really embedding it into our psyche.
US: Your video for new single ‘Ceiling Of Plankton’ is crazy, whats that all about?
GIVERS: We’re never gonna survive unless we get a little crazy…thats what Seal and my uncle Wayne say. Music videos can end up just being a commercial for your album, so for the Ceiling video, we wanted to make sure that didn’t happen.
US: What have you got coming up for the rest of the year?
GIVERS: We finish our European tour at the end of July then head out on the last American voyage of this album, including a show at Lollapalooza which we’ve all been looking forward to. We have a couple one-offs here and there and then some October dates with Gotye. All really good stuff, but we are most-looking forward to the Fall/Winter time off to take a moment to ourselves and write some new material.
US: Are there any bands around right now that get you excited?
GIVERS: As much as we play music–i don’t think we listen to enough new music. The new Dirty Projectors album has been on repeat since we got it. It is sooo good–highly recommend.
US: What are some of your guilty pleasures in music, past and present
GIVERS: Who doesn’t like TLC or a good ole Third Eye Blind song? Presently, I dig anything with a crunk beat so if Lil Wayne is a guilty pleasure then so be it.
US: What do you think makes a good pop song?
GIVERS: Something direct–something different. Mixing familiarity with some aspect of discovery seems to be what feels good for us. Everyone has their own interpretation of what pop can be, which is something to embrace.
US: What can’t you live without when on the road?
GIVERS: Obvious necessities, sleep/water. It seems silly but those things tend to go missing on tour if you’re not aware. But also, really good high grade salt called Sunfire Salt.