Camille and I had a short chat with Nathan, guitarist for the Gossip this afternoon about their upcoming tour and new album Music for Men. Check out what he had to say…
(The Gossip) are often described as a ‘post-punk’ band, if you had to be in any classic punk band back in the day, who would you be in and why?
I would totally be the bassist of Joy Division because they are so good.
You are preparing to hit the road, what can we expect to see from the show?
Hopefully it will be energetic and sweaty!
You’ve played the U.S. in the past, do you enjoy it? Is it any different to U.K audiences?
I’m excited to play the U.S. We haven’t played the U.S. in a while, the audiences (in the UK) are bigger but in America there are people who have been coming to see us play for years. We started touring in 2000 and the same people from those shows are still coming to see us. It’s kinda cool.
Tell us about the new album Music for Men,
you worked with Rick Rubin, what was that experience like?
you worked with Rick Rubin, what was that experience like?It was great, he was really amazing. He’s super metaphysical, a new age producer. He only works with bands he likes so he goes in knowing he’ll like it already. He helps us put some of the puzzle pieces together.
How does Music for Men differ from your previous albums?
differ from your previous albums?Our first record was recorded in two days, Standing in the Way of Control in ten days and this record took two and a half months. Usually I just play guitar on the albums but on this one I played guitar, bass, piano and synth – there’s a lot more going on.
Did that make a difference in the sound of this record?
I think so, our other records were sort of lo-fi garage records and this ones a pretty hi-fi record with some dance-y stuff on it that we were in the mood to do. I think it definitely changes the mood but it still feels like us.
How does the process work in the studio together?
On the last record we didn’t have a lot of time, so a lot of improv happens. We are pretty democratic as a band – the drummer makes up the drums and I make up the guitar/bass and Beth does the vocals/melodies.
We are really loving Cruel Intentions by Simian Mobile Disco, how did that come about?
Oh yeah that’s a great track. I think they just asked her, she said yes and made up a part.
Are there any other side projects from members of the band that we can look forward to?
Not really right now, we are all a little too busy with Gossip.
I wanted to ask you about the Fred Falke remix of Heavy Cross, do you have any other plans for remixes off any other tracks on the album?
I always curate our remixes, there is a lot of great indie dance stuff out there. I want to work with Aeroplane, Trevor Jackson – they are great. I think DFA are going to do a remix for us. Burns, who is really great did one for us as well.
Where do you see the Gossip going in the next few years?
Hopefully in a direction that nobody expects. We probably will be doing everything from french house to country music. It will be all over the place.
Who are your current favorite artists/influences?
