Over in the UK to accompany the release of their debut single Apartment on the Young and Lost Club label (Noah & The Whale, Golden Silvers), Young The Giant last week treated Camden to a series of four special live dates including a Club NME appearance and gigs at both the Barfly and Monto Water Rats.
I caught up with Francois Comtois and Sameer Gadhia from the band ahead of their final Camden gig at Proud Galleries…
It was a Tuesday, and it was 5.20pm. I was dressed for work (not in a good way) and running slightly late. Flustered, I crashed through the bar doors like a cowboy on crack, and was hurriedly escorted down a ruby red fire escape to the low lit basement below.
Colliding with the previous and departing interviewer, I announce my arrival to the awaiting band members with a thunderous thump.
In town for only 7 days, I knew that these boys had already faced a fair few questionings so I ask Francois and Sameer whether it’s been a long day, wanting to know just how bored they are of incessant interviews before I plunder on.
Sat close together on a slightly too small sofa, the boys smile almost in unison and say that they love it. It makes them feel important, they say. Studying their carefree expressions, I think I almost believe them.
The Californian charm of these two lads is soon disarming me and we meander through our chat. Who inspires you? Where did you meet? Where are you going to?
The Strokes, the OC, onwards…
Referring back to my PR brief, I press them on their Strokes response. I had read that they were My Morning Jacket kind of lads, and I am surprised by their reference to Casablancas and the gang. Rest easy, it’s ok, they laugh. They like My Morning Jacket too. In fact MMJ’s Bo Koster guests on several of their forthcoming album’s tracks. He’s a good guy, they add.
Pressing them on their OC connections, Sameer tells me a tale of five young teenagers running into one another in local bars and growing to become friends and bandmates. I begin to see the opening credits of California Dreaming in my head.
Keen to leave that image behind, we come back to the present day. Four gigs in Camden in almost as many days. It must mean that you love Camden, I suggest.
For sure, they assert.
“It is the music capital of the world”, we decide as a group after much deliberation. New York doesn’t get a look in.
“The industry will try to package you in a sea of sounds likes. But, you can choose here – what do you want to say about you?”
They look a bit puzzled. “Five words or less”, I add.
Some passing of the buck ensues. Glances exchanged from one side of the seemingly shrinking sofa to the other. “You’re the lyrical genius”, Francois throws the ball to Sameer. But it is Sameer who stays mute, and ultimately it is Francois who steps up to the plate.
“Rhythmically diverse”, he concludes.
Intriguing answer. Francois is the drummer.
You can make up your own mind here:
The Camden Store Team X
Words: Pip @ The Camden Store
