A 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…
we sat and pondered over the weirdly freaky video for ‘Thought Balloon’ fromUS: 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.