Interview | Handsome Furs

Tell us about Canada. Quality music is bursting out of this snowy coven like a piñata, but what’s it actually like out there, and more importantly, what does it take for innovative, cutting edge bands to make it to the top?

In Montreal, I think we were really immensely lucky to have the beautiful geniuses behind God Speed You Black Emperor start Constellation Records and open the venues Casa Del Popolo and La Sala Rosa. Those institutions have really enabled a lot of musicians to get their starts. I think in Canada, in general, we were raised by parents who really instilled the values of social and democratic sharing which has helped in a lot of ways as well. The music industry in Canada might be tiny but we all help each other out by sharing studio spaces and gear and playing together in various bands. As for how to make it to the top, I’ll let you know once we get there. Truthfully, I think the best thing for all musicians everywhere is to play live as much as possible. That is the best way to reach fans.

Your music has been described as being a decidedly contemporary experience by some sources: ‘the confusion felt witnessing the pure, wholesome thrill of a band of musicians pouring their hearts out on stage, through someone’s cell phone as pixelated streaming video...’ – do you find this to be an accurate description of your sound, and if so, why?

I love that description. I think Dan and I are the luckiest people on the planet – we came from working class backgrounds and applied that nose-to-the-grind work ethic to playing music and now we can afford to do it as our exclusive living. Nothing could make me happier. I think, despite the fact that we are so dissatisfied by much of modernity in world politics and technology, we have the advantage to share ourselves with like-minded people. To say, ‘we’re unhappy but let’s share this unhappiness in order to feel happier’. We might use dated drum machines, cheap synths and raw vocals to comment on the state of the world but the most accurate description of us as a band would just be ‘Global Witnesses’.

Is being a husband-wife team integral to the way you make music? Would it have been different if you were just friends?

For us, it is integral. A large part of our creative output comes from our sexuality and our experience of sharing this world together as lovers. Of course, we’re friends also, but I think we would be a wholly different band if we didn’t have this feeling of trying to be united in this world that is so cutthroat for those with artistic hearts. I also think it is important for us to be able to write together at all hours of the night and to travel together and to try to make sense of life and love together. It sounds cheesy as hell but I don’t think the band would exist if we weren’t mixing this ‘business with pleasure.’ It’s too lucky to give up.

Your label, Sub Pop, certainly has a rich indie heritage, having been the home of bands like Nirvana and Soundgarden and now, even Beach House and Fleet Foxes. How do you feel being in their stable, and how did an association with the label help shape your sound?

Dan and I both grew up listening to stuff on the Sub Pop roster so it’s almost impossible to even distinguish just how much those bands have shaped and influenced us. Sub Pop was my high school, if you know what I mean. And now I just feel so fortunate to count them all as friends, almost family. They continue to come to our shows and they came to our wedding and they are just constantly dedicated to finding new artists that they love. I respect them.

Do you look forward to visiting Malta? What do you think of the other acts lined up on the night?

It will be our first ever time in Malta and I’m super deeply excited. I’ve been doing my research for sure. I can’t wait to eat pastizzi and walk the waterfront, check out the Caravaggio paintings at St John’s, the catacombs beneath the city, the megalithic temples and the Manoel Theatre and try rozolin liquer. I can’t wait for it all!

The Handsome Furs will be playing alongside Daniel Martin-Moore and Bark Bark Disco at Escape Club, Paceville on December 18. Doors open at 20:30.
Tickets at €15 are available online from www.maltaticket.com or from any Agenda, Exotique or Vodafone outlets. Tickets will sell at €18 at the door. For further enquires call 99846382.
The event is organised by HairyAmp.
Daniel Martin Moore comes in conjunction with Stagedive.