In creator and frontman James Murphy’s own words: “this is basically a band.” LCD Soundsystem definitely comes across as a no-nonsense bunch whose focus is music, records and gigs rather than sex, drugs and rock’n’roll. Ever since the release of the eponymous debut album in 2005, they have gathered a considerable amount of critical acclaim and public success thank to their fresh new sounds between dance and punk. And now they’ve come full circle with This Is Happening, rumored to be their last album ever.
Discover LCD Soundsystem’s Star Dream Box
Interview with James Murphy
How did the story of your band start?
Once upon a time, a 30 year-old got high and freaked out, then figured: “Hey, why not start another band?”
What’s the song that changed your life?
“Nick The Stripper” by The Birthday Party, or “Do The Du” by A Certain Ratio.
What’s on your iPod?
Gigs upon gigs of stupid stuff that would take me hour to transcribe.
You can’t live without…?
My radio! Wait, no… that’s LL Cool J. I can’t live without coffee, really.
What’s the best invention in life?
Death. Keeps it from dragging on.
If you had super powers for one day what would you do?
Stop time, so that day could go on for a while.
Is there something you’d never wear?
Polar fleece.
Is there a song from someone else you’ve always wanted to write?
Most of what I own. I suffer from musical jealousy.
What’s a taboo?
It’s something beyond the pale of normal behavior, variable from culture to culture, ie. me wearing fleece.
A message in a bottle for the next generation?
“None of it is such a big deal” and then you flip the paper over and it says: “Everything is a totally big deal”.
This Is Happening – LCD Soundsystem
ABOUT LCD SOUNDSYSTEM
LCD Soundsystem is the musical side project of producer James Murphy, co-founder of New York City dance-punk label DFA Records. Formed in 2002, the music of LCD Soundsystem can be described as a mix of alternative dance and post punk, along with elements of disco and other styles. LCD Soundsystem gained attention with its first single, “Losing My Edge”. The song, which sounds like the boastings of a music geek put to an electronic beat, received acclaim in 2002. Murphy released a double album simply titled LCD Soundsystem in February of 2005 to critical acclaim. On December 8, 2005 the group received nominations for two Grammys in the electronica category for their self-titled album and in the Dance category for “Daft Punk Is Playing At My House”. In March 2007, the band released their second album entitled Sound of Silver, which has spawned four singles including “North American Scum” and “All My Friends. This Is Happening is deemed to be the final LCD Soundsystem album.Written and produced by James Murphy, it consists of the songs “Dance Yrself Clean,” “Drunk Girls,” “One Touch,” “All I Want,” “I Can Change,” “You Wanted A Hit,” “Pow Pow,” “Somebody’s Calling Me” and “Home.” The album was recorded over the course of 2009 and 2010 at The Manshun in Los Angeles and the DFA studios in New York. The record has been supported by an extensive world tour which took the band from Coachella to Europe
For now LCD Soundsystem is James Murphy, Nancy Whang, Pat Mahoney, Tyler Pope, Gavin Russom, David Scott Stone and Matt Thornley.
Photo Credit: Ruvan Wijesooriya
