A we sat and pondered over the weirdly freaky video for ‘Thought Balloon’ from Unknown Mortal Orchestra we seemed more than intrigued by this lot and their psychedelic garage. We managed to have a few words with them before they head of to SXSW…
US: Tell us about how you sound and the influences that inspire you?
UMO: I think the sound is in the area of psych rock and soul I guess. The record has aspects that sound like J Dilla or RZA-like dirty hip hop production. It’s guitar, bass and drum heavy.
US: Whats the story behind choosing ‘Unknown Mortal Orchestra’ as your band name?
UMO: I guess it was another way of saying ‘one man band’, because at the time it was just me. I like how it sounds like it could be a weird metal band.
US: What does 2012 look like for Unknown Mortal Orchestra?
UMO: To us it looks like a hot girl.
US: What new music are you listening right now?
UMO: Right now I’m in the van listening to ‘who loves the sun’ by the velvet underground.
US: If you could have wrote any song, what would it have been and why?
UMO: Right now I’d probably say “Natural Beauty” by Neil Young. Have you read those lyrics? Heartbreaking when you’re on the wrong path and inspiring when you’re on the right one.