Having already played SXSW and Coachella, and with Lollapalooza and Austin City Limits on the way, indie rock band, Electric Touch makes a pit stop at the Bluebird this Saturday. In addition to playing a host of recent festivals and cities, the band was an opening act for The Bravery on their last tour, and has begun to generate buzz nationally.
With band members Louis Messina Jr., Christopher Leigh, and Ross Dubois hailing from Texas and lead singer Shane Lawlor originally from England, the band’s music is as diverse as the individual members’ origins. Electric Touch’s sound draws upon classic rock-n-roll influences including the Beatles and Jimi Hendrix, and throws in brilliant touches of modern day indie rock (a la Oasis, Black Rebel Motorcycle Club). While there is no doubt that this band can bust out some tunage, Electric Touch’s songs showcase their ability to blend deep songwriting with in your face stadium rock. Their latest self-titled release is scheduled for release on August 26 via Justice Records and is appropriately described as “ten kick ass tunes” by Shane Lawlor.
As a preview for the upcoming show, vocalist Shane took time while touring to answer some question about Electric Touch and the current tour.
1. For those who aren’t familiar with Electric Touch, how would you describe your music?
Shane Lawlor: Tales of love and life in glorious Technicolor!
2. How long has the band been together?
Shane Lawlor: Louis, Christopher, and I met a year ago. Ross came on board a few months later.
3. Who are some of the band's influences and what music are you currently listening to?
Shane Lawlor: We draw from everything. Things we've been through, people we've known, love and the lack thereof. We share a house and the record player never stops- from the Beatles to Beethoven, music plays from sunrise to sundown.
4. Electric Touch recently played Coachella and SXSW, what were those experiences like?
Shane Lawlor: It was simply amazing. For a new band like ourselves to be on that stage is an experience we will never forget. We feel extremely fortunate to be doing the thing we love. As avid music fans we are used to being in front of the stage...in short, a dream come true.
5. Tell us a little bit about your self-titled debut album which is due out later this summer?
Shane Lawlor: The album will take you on a journey, and the more you listen the more you will discover. This is music to dance to, sing along with, raise a hand in the air. Turn it up and get turned on.....
6. Electric Touch's songs not only seem to consist of music with great melodies, but also seem to be pretty intense lyrically. Can you tell us a little bit about the band's song writing process?
Shane Lawlor: Myself or Christopher writes the music and I write the words. I can pore over the lyrics for days and weeks, think I’m happy and then tear it all apart and put it all together again in the studio. I read many books, and like the lyrics to flow well in their own right. I try to imagine music is a movie for blind people, so I want the words to paint a picture. Sometimes it's literal, sometimes not.
But there's a lot going on in there if people want to look......Some of the songs are extremely personal (such as Lines or Saved) and others are to provoke people to think (such as Who Put The Fire Out?).
Once a rough song is together we jam it as a band, and it becomes a living breathing embodiment of Electric Touch
7. How did the band get involved with producers Frenchie Smith and Gavin MacKillop?
Shane Lawlor: I have known Frenchie for a few years and he is a good friend of mine. He actually introduced me to Christopher and a chance meeting in a coffee shop. Gavin has worked on many, many amazing records and we got in touch with him through a friend of mine, Tim Pagnotta (from the band Sugarcult). Having the opportunity to work with two extremely talented producers really helped us to realize our vision of the album and what we were trying to do.
8. What was it like directing the video for the single ''Love in Our Hearts"?
Shane Lawlor: I love movies, and used to act in my formative years. We didn't tell anyone we were making a video, we just did it. We filmed on the shores of Lake Travis in about four hours. All the guys in the band helped shoot the footage, and ensured we had what I needed in the bag to pull the video together. It was my first attempt at directing a video and I loved every minute of it and man, were there a lot of minutes to love.
It took me five solid days in post production to edit the three minute video.
I now have the video bug and look forward to working on the next one!
9. So what's it like being an Englishman in a band with three Texans?
Shane Lawlor: It's awesome. These guys are like my brothers. At first, there was a lot of explaining to do. I use a lot of colloquialisms, so had to not only explain the meaning of them, but my Texas band mates also yearned for the genesis of these phrases (If I didn't know, I made up something that sounded right to satisfy them!) It wasn't long before they were "going to the loo" or telling me to "bugger off!”
I can't think of another band which is American but with an English singer so we feel pretty unique. My football team, Manchester United, recently won the European Cup (Champions League) and all the guys watched it with me. They cheered when I cheered and for that day, it was like I was back home. It's not one way traffic though, they've have converted me to the ways of Basketball (which I now enjoy thoroughly).
10. If Electric Touch weren't making music, what would they be doing?
Shane Lawlor: We'd be crying probably! ha ha! It's hard for me to imagine doing anything else! Maybe I would be acting or directing. I think Ross would be a writer. Christopher and Louis are naturally rock and roll stars - they were born to do this.
11. What can fans heading out to the Bluebird expect to experience at an Electric Touch show?
Shane Lawlor: Expect to have the time of your life!!!!! We'd love them to leave their troubles at the door for one night and take a ride with us. Get ready dance and have a great time!!!!
12. So what's ahead for the band in 2008 and beyond?
Shane Lawlor: We love playing Live and will continue to tour (hopefully for a very long time). We will work on our next record and have some amazing ideas up our sleeve......stay tuned...
Stayed tuned indeed! Be sure to catch the band that many people are calling “The Next Big Thing” this Saturday, June 28th @ The Bluebird. Electric Touch will be joined by local acts The Fairgrounds and Ocean Rivals.
Links:
Electric Touch on MySpace: http://www.myspace.com/electrictouchmusic