Longwave - Interview - Spring 2008
By: Yousif Nur
Rockfeedback: You've just played your first UK shows after a number of years back home - could you recap for our benefit where you've been, and what you've been up to?
Steve Schiltz: "We have been working... I have been writing and touring with some other bands, and the other guys have a band called Falcon that they have been recording. After touring for our last record it was time to have a break. Every once in a while we would get together and try to bang some new songs into shape, and those are what became the new Longwave record."
RFB: You're renowned for touring with and befriending the likes of The Strokes and The Vines a few years back, on the crest of a wave... From your perspective now, how was that experience?
SS: "I assume the 'wave' pun was unintentional? I don't know really, it just felt like we were playing a lot of shows and meeting people. So that part was really fun."
RFB: Your previous album wasn't given a full UK release - was this due to decisions made 'upstairs'?
SS: "We had a different record deal in the UK than the one we had for the rest of the world. After one record our UK label felt like they didn't know what to do with us. And they had another band called Longview, which was always confusing for everyone. We were still signed to RCA in the US, but they were going through a merger when we put out There's A Fire, so things were tough there, as well. It's tough to compress years into a few words. We wanted to put out the last record in UK, and maybe we will one day. We had shows booked, and then they were cancelled. It was tough. But you can only go forward."
RFB: Such is your long connection with The Strokes, with all due respect, do you see the association as being a hindrance in a way, as one might tag Longwave as being 'The Strokes' pals?'
SS: "No, it is fine. They are a great band! I toured with Albert (Hammond Jr.) in his solo band and that was fun. He helped me rediscover how I like to play guitar, and gave me a fire to get back together with the other Longwave guys."
RFB: Now that you're completely independent, how much of a relief is it not to be chained and restricted to major label decisions?
SS: "Well we are in the middle of it still, it is still early. I'll let you know in a year."
RFB: Is the hunger and the drive to write new material and tour still as fresh as it was when the band first formed?
SS: "It is different. I am moreeasy going now, and the guys in the band now are great. Jason, our drummer, is a real cheerleader. He is always excited about the new songs and tours. I used to worry about so much shit that never happened, anyway. So the drive now is about let's play the best thing, the most exciting thing we can. We have found that the other stuff just happens afterward."
RFB: How does the new album differ from previous offerings? Are the tracks on MySpace a clear indication of how it'll sound as a whole?
SS: "The new album is awesome. I have heard it over and over! The songs on the myspace page are the actual record. We did a lot of it ourselves, and mixed with Peter Katis in Connecticut. The guitars are wicked, everything is a little cooler than before. Shannon told me that we needed to only put songs on the record that we could tour behind for a year, which was smart. We left a few off with that in mind. I feel like we got it right, it's great."
RFB: You're shortly touring with shoegaze legends Swervedriver across the US - is it safe to assume that you're huge admirers of the band?
SS: "Not really. I have met Adam a few times out in New York. I got my only Swervedriver record after I heard that Longwave sounded like them from a few people. But that record is great, and Jason loves them, so it will be fun.
RFB: For those starting a new band in this day and age, what with it now being supposedly easier than ever, what advice would you give?
SS: "Just enjoy yourself."
RFB: Do you believe there's still a place for Longwave in the UK music scene after such a long time away? The music game has changed in leaps and bounds and is as fickle as ever, if not more so now...
SS: "I don't know, that is not up to me. There were a couple of songs on our last record that I thought were sure to be UK hits, especially with John Leckie producing. It didn't work out that way, but we are still here and we're very excited about our new record. And thanks for writing about us."
Artists in this article: Longwave