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RISE UP FOR THE DUKE SPIRIT
An Interview and live review by Dave H. Cromwell
Discovering that The Duke Spirit were coming to New York City to play at a venue I have always had a great time - The Mercury
Lounge - I made certain I would be present when this show rolled into town.
DC: “So, how was the trip over, Liela? Good? Uneventful?”
LM: “Uneventful? [Laughter]. No, it was fine. We’ve been busy ever since. I have to reveal that I like being busy. We’ve been doing
interviews all day. Back when we did the first album it was like ‘you’ve got an interview today’ and we’d be all excited going ‘oooh,
really?’ [Laughter]. “But now you realize that you actually can step it up a gear and have seven interviews, and go and play an
acoustic thing, and sound check [where we are in the middle of at this very moment] -- and then maybe throw in a *Diva Tantrum*.
DC: “Oh, no!” [Laughter]
LM: “I think it was Morrissey, saying how one time was bored . . .”
DC: “Speaking of Diva’s . . .”
LM: [Laughing] “No, I love him. I think he’s great. But he got completely bored in this interview, so he excused himself to go to the
bathroom and climbed out the window and never went back. [Laughter]. I hope that one day we’re successful enough that I can do
that.
DC: “Definitely”.
LM: “No, I would probably never do that anyway, as I’m too bloody polite for my own good.
DC: “So, tonight’s show is sold out and has been for a while. There appears to be a good buzz around your band at the moment.”
LM: “Yeah, I’m pleased. We’re really proud of our new record. Not to overanalyze it, but when you do your first record - and your on a
major - you feel pressure. Now on this second record, you find yourself working with people who know and like your material -
there isn’t any questions of supporting it. And suddenly you just relax and go “ok”. You’re not a part of any scene. You’re not a
trendy band, your not an untrendy band - your just a band that comes back and do what you can. You feel like at last you’re meeting
your audience and they like you - and you like them. And it’s really life affirming. Instead of some bullshit game your playing - that
you hope you get a review in this magazine - we’ve been through all that. This is round two and it’s much more natural. I feel really
good about that.”
Shortly afterwards I caught the attention of guitarist Luke B. Ford and he agreed to sit for a few minutes.
DC: “Good sound-check, Luke. Are you happy with the way everything sounds?”
LF: “Yeah, it’s good. We played a show last night and had to use rented gear, which wasn’t as good.”
DC: “You did a show last night?”
LF: “Yeah, we just did this last minute opening slot for The Kooks, who were playing a sold out show in Williamsburg. It was
another show that, as long as we were here, we could play for some more people.”
DC: “It wasn’t listed anywhere that you were playing”
LF: “No, it was a sold out show for them, so we were just given the opportunity to play it”.
DC: “I see. It was a case of your management hooking you up with that”.
LF: “So tonight we have a bit of time to do a real soundcheck. And we’ve played this room before and we’ve really enjoyed it.
DC: “When you were here 18 months ago?
LF: “Yeah, that sounds about right.”
DC: “So, who writes the songs?”
LF: “Now, its pretty much all of us. In the early days - back when we did our first EP - it was primarily myself and Liela. She writes
nearly all the lyrics. There’s one song on this new record called “Wooden Heart” which I wrote the whole thing. Sometimes I’ll write
a chorus or a part here or there. But in terms of this album, the music writing has been split pretty evenly between all of us, and
Liela has written nearly all of the lyrics. And she’s written the music on a couple of the tunes as well”
DC: “Sounds like a real collaborative effort”
LF: “Yeah, its great. Because we all write quite a lot - but we probably don’t write enough individually to fill a whole record. So we all
bring in about 6 or 7 good songs each, and then we choose from those.”
DC: “So, you’ve just released your latest album, titled “Neptune”.
LF: “Yeah, it came out in Britain, and its available here at the moment on download only. Then in early April it will be available in
stores in all physical formats.”
DC: “Now, would you consider tonight’s show something of an industry showcase?”
LF: “Our label is based out in LA, and there are a few people here from there, but basically this is a show for New York. We haven’t
played here in so long. We get a lot of people writing to us from here and we wanted to do a show for those fans. Also, as is the
nature of the machine, we’ve got people working on press for us, and they wanted to get some reviews to coincide with the release
of our album. So it made sense to fly on over here and do these shows.
DC: “Absolutely. Makes sense.
LF: “Then we’ll be back in March to do the west coast and SXSW Festival. Then after a number of UK dates, we’ll be back here in
April and May.
DC: “That’s great. So, what do you do *now* - between now and the time you have to play.
LF: “Now?”
DC: “Yeah, do you go down to your dressing rooms or back to the hotel and drink yourselves silly?” [Laughter]
LF: “Well, how long have we got? It’s now half-past six” [More laughter] “We could easily drink ourselves silly. We spent the first 2 or
3 years of our band life generally well-oiled. This time around we’re going to try and look after ourselves a little bit better.”
DC: “That’s good.
LF: “Without it being at the expense of not putting on a good show. We realized you don’t need to be completely smashed to put on
an excellent show - and you might make less mistakes.”
Dan Higgins now joins the conversation: “I don’t know - there’s always a balance. I think it would be quite good if *I* got really
drunk and you stayed sober. [Laughing]
DC: “Was that a slide I saw you using on your guitar during the sound check?”
DH: “Yes, quite right.”
DC: “It was a metal slide - not a glass one. Is there a significant difference between the two?”
DH: “Yeah, a metal one sounds harsher. Which suits our sound.
DC: “Sure. Some bands like the Allman Brothers use that glass bottle side.
DH: “Right. Brian Jones of the Stones used a metal slide on their early tracks.
DC: “Did he play that slide work on “No Expectations?”
DH: “No, I think that was Ry Cooder.
LF: “Yeah, I think they brought Ry Cooder in for those sessions.
DC: “It sounded great”.
DH: “Mick Taylor played a lot of slide guitar with the Stones as well.”
As it was getting late in the day, and the rest of the band were anxious to head back to the hotel to rest up before show-time, I big
my farewell to the two Duke Spirit guitarists, and prepared for what was to be a blistering show just a few hours later that night.
LIVE REVIEW
Show-time and the crowd buzzes with eager anticipation, knowing The Duke Spirit are about to hit the stage. I love this venue
because it allows you to get so close to the band. There isn’t even a “backstage” (it’s on the opposite side of the room, downstairs)
so the band has to be literally escorted through the crowd to get up on the stage. Such closeness is quite rare. Once a band
“graduates” to The Bowery Ballroom or the less-appealing outpost that is Terminal 5, you’ll only get to see the band members if
they decide to come out and do a meet and greet.
Lights dimmed, The Duke Spirit are escorted on. Dazzling lead vocalist Liela Moss cheerily greets the crowed and then quickly
leads her bandmates into the opening song, “Send a Little Love Token”. This rock & roll piano-hammered driven ditty features
sultry lead vocalist Liela Moss at her snakelike best. Alternately grabbing the microphone, shaking her head from side to side, hip
swiveling and tambourine shaking - she’s in constant motion. Despite her sexiness - she also exudes that “just one of the boys in
the band” personas. Similar to how Shirley Manson of Garbage walks that line. See my clip of this performance here: http://www.
youtube.com/watch?v=zgnzQK4jDnY
Quickly moving on through their set - heavily featuring songs from second album Neptune - they play You Really Wake Up The
Love In Me, and then a most thematic version of My Sunken Treasure, whereby Liela delivers the verses in a somewhat marching
cadence. “Treasure it sunk when I gave up on lies,” Liela sings, before the band gets to the hooky bridge that goes “that’s ‘cos you
don’t look back, like I look back.” I love the way this band’s writing has found a way to combine elements of 50’s style music, with
the current dare I say “shoe gaze” revival (is there a revival going on? As far as I’m concerned, it never went away!)
Check out my clip of My Sunken Treasure here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SJTiscGQQ5Y
Next up was the ever popular Lasoo which is a real buzz saw guitar and stomping drums affair. Out front of it all is Liela
passionately singing “Ahaaaahahahha” “Feel bad - say so. “Feel good - Let it go” is the advice we’re given. Makes sense to me.
The look and feel of this band can conjure up a number of different images. Liela’s Teutonic Blonde Imagery initially brings to mind
the legendary Nico. So, VU comparisons (at least visually) are a natural. Then there is a bit of the Grace Slick lead Jefferson
Airplane, the overall feel of 1960’s-era bands like The Doors and Rolling Stones (more for the guys) as well as the aforementioned
Garbage and a bit of The Pixies as well.
Moving deeper into the set the band plays Dog Roses, Sovereign and a striking rendition of Neptune’s Call. Liela outdoes herself
on this one. Pounding her heart - Shimmying her hip - spreading her arms out wide and then over her head - grabbing the mic
stand and thrashing about the stage with it - shaking her shoulders, as she belts out the lyrics “Neptune is my king again” while
the guitarists grind out a dirty growl from their amps.
Next up was their featured track The Step and the Walk which was as hypnotic live as it is on their latest record. Liela rocks a
tambournine like nobody else I know. One of the coolest things she does live is turn her body slightly to the side and - for lack of a
better description - shakes are arse in an outward motion. It is a unique move to her as no other singer really does it this way. Just
one more element that sets this band apart from so many others.
With the crowd fully energized and sweat-soaked, the band ripped through fan favourites like This Ship Is Built To Last, Red
Weather and Love Is An Unfamiliar Name. Taking the obligatory two minute break, the band returned for two encores comprised of
Lion Rip and Into the Fold.
You owe it to yourself to see this band live. They’re coming back to New York in April and I certainly won’t be missing it. In the
meantime, you can pick up their latest album in record stores all across the UK and via download worldwide. The CD will be
available in US stores starting on April 8. Go see them.
Words and photographs by Dave Cromwell
Links:
http://www.myspace.com/thedukespirit
dukespirit.com
An Interview and live review by Dave H. Cromwell
Discovering that The Duke Spirit were coming to New York City to play at a venue I have always had a great time - The Mercury
Lounge - I made certain I would be present when this show rolled into town.
DC: “So, how was the trip over, Liela? Good? Uneventful?”
LM: “Uneventful? [Laughter]. No, it was fine. We’ve been busy ever since. I have to reveal that I like being busy. We’ve been doing
interviews all day. Back when we did the first album it was like ‘you’ve got an interview today’ and we’d be all excited going ‘oooh,
really?’ [Laughter]. “But now you realize that you actually can step it up a gear and have seven interviews, and go and play an
acoustic thing, and sound check [where we are in the middle of at this very moment] -- and then maybe throw in a *Diva Tantrum*.
DC: “Oh, no!” [Laughter]
LM: “I think it was Morrissey, saying how one time was bored . . .”
DC: “Speaking of Diva’s . . .”
LM: [Laughing] “No, I love him. I think he’s great. But he got completely bored in this interview, so he excused himself to go to the
bathroom and climbed out the window and never went back. [Laughter]. I hope that one day we’re successful enough that I can do
that.
DC: “Definitely”.
LM: “No, I would probably never do that anyway, as I’m too bloody polite for my own good.
DC: “So, tonight’s show is sold out and has been for a while. There appears to be a good buzz around your band at the moment.”
LM: “Yeah, I’m pleased. We’re really proud of our new record. Not to overanalyze it, but when you do your first record - and your on a
major - you feel pressure. Now on this second record, you find yourself working with people who know and like your material -
there isn’t any questions of supporting it. And suddenly you just relax and go “ok”. You’re not a part of any scene. You’re not a
trendy band, your not an untrendy band - your just a band that comes back and do what you can. You feel like at last you’re meeting
your audience and they like you - and you like them. And it’s really life affirming. Instead of some bullshit game your playing - that
you hope you get a review in this magazine - we’ve been through all that. This is round two and it’s much more natural. I feel really
good about that.”
Shortly afterwards I caught the attention of guitarist Luke B. Ford and he agreed to sit for a few minutes.
DC: “Good sound-check, Luke. Are you happy with the way everything sounds?”
LF: “Yeah, it’s good. We played a show last night and had to use rented gear, which wasn’t as good.”
DC: “You did a show last night?”
LF: “Yeah, we just did this last minute opening slot for The Kooks, who were playing a sold out show in Williamsburg. It was
another show that, as long as we were here, we could play for some more people.”
DC: “It wasn’t listed anywhere that you were playing”
LF: “No, it was a sold out show for them, so we were just given the opportunity to play it”.
DC: “I see. It was a case of your management hooking you up with that”.
LF: “So tonight we have a bit of time to do a real soundcheck. And we’ve played this room before and we’ve really enjoyed it.
DC: “When you were here 18 months ago?
LF: “Yeah, that sounds about right.”
DC: “So, who writes the songs?”
LF: “Now, its pretty much all of us. In the early days - back when we did our first EP - it was primarily myself and Liela. She writes
nearly all the lyrics. There’s one song on this new record called “Wooden Heart” which I wrote the whole thing. Sometimes I’ll write
a chorus or a part here or there. But in terms of this album, the music writing has been split pretty evenly between all of us, and
Liela has written nearly all of the lyrics. And she’s written the music on a couple of the tunes as well”
DC: “Sounds like a real collaborative effort”
LF: “Yeah, its great. Because we all write quite a lot - but we probably don’t write enough individually to fill a whole record. So we all
bring in about 6 or 7 good songs each, and then we choose from those.”
DC: “So, you’ve just released your latest album, titled “Neptune”.
LF: “Yeah, it came out in Britain, and its available here at the moment on download only. Then in early April it will be available in
stores in all physical formats.”
DC: “Now, would you consider tonight’s show something of an industry showcase?”
LF: “Our label is based out in LA, and there are a few people here from there, but basically this is a show for New York. We haven’t
played here in so long. We get a lot of people writing to us from here and we wanted to do a show for those fans. Also, as is the
nature of the machine, we’ve got people working on press for us, and they wanted to get some reviews to coincide with the release
of our album. So it made sense to fly on over here and do these shows.
DC: “Absolutely. Makes sense.
LF: “Then we’ll be back in March to do the west coast and SXSW Festival. Then after a number of UK dates, we’ll be back here in
April and May.
DC: “That’s great. So, what do you do *now* - between now and the time you have to play.
LF: “Now?”
DC: “Yeah, do you go down to your dressing rooms or back to the hotel and drink yourselves silly?” [Laughter]
LF: “Well, how long have we got? It’s now half-past six” [More laughter] “We could easily drink ourselves silly. We spent the first 2 or
3 years of our band life generally well-oiled. This time around we’re going to try and look after ourselves a little bit better.”
DC: “That’s good.
LF: “Without it being at the expense of not putting on a good show. We realized you don’t need to be completely smashed to put on
an excellent show - and you might make less mistakes.”
Dan Higgins now joins the conversation: “I don’t know - there’s always a balance. I think it would be quite good if *I* got really
drunk and you stayed sober. [Laughing]
DC: “Was that a slide I saw you using on your guitar during the sound check?”
DH: “Yes, quite right.”
DC: “It was a metal slide - not a glass one. Is there a significant difference between the two?”
DH: “Yeah, a metal one sounds harsher. Which suits our sound.
DC: “Sure. Some bands like the Allman Brothers use that glass bottle side.
DH: “Right. Brian Jones of the Stones used a metal slide on their early tracks.
DC: “Did he play that slide work on “No Expectations?”
DH: “No, I think that was Ry Cooder.
LF: “Yeah, I think they brought Ry Cooder in for those sessions.
DC: “It sounded great”.
DH: “Mick Taylor played a lot of slide guitar with the Stones as well.”
As it was getting late in the day, and the rest of the band were anxious to head back to the hotel to rest up before show-time, I big
my farewell to the two Duke Spirit guitarists, and prepared for what was to be a blistering show just a few hours later that night.
LIVE REVIEW
Show-time and the crowd buzzes with eager anticipation, knowing The Duke Spirit are about to hit the stage. I love this venue
because it allows you to get so close to the band. There isn’t even a “backstage” (it’s on the opposite side of the room, downstairs)
so the band has to be literally escorted through the crowd to get up on the stage. Such closeness is quite rare. Once a band
“graduates” to The Bowery Ballroom or the less-appealing outpost that is Terminal 5, you’ll only get to see the band members if
they decide to come out and do a meet and greet.
Lights dimmed, The Duke Spirit are escorted on. Dazzling lead vocalist Liela Moss cheerily greets the crowed and then quickly
leads her bandmates into the opening song, “Send a Little Love Token”. This rock & roll piano-hammered driven ditty features
sultry lead vocalist Liela Moss at her snakelike best. Alternately grabbing the microphone, shaking her head from side to side, hip
swiveling and tambourine shaking - she’s in constant motion. Despite her sexiness - she also exudes that “just one of the boys in
the band” personas. Similar to how Shirley Manson of Garbage walks that line. See my clip of this performance here: http://www.
youtube.com/watch?v=zgnzQK4jDnY
Quickly moving on through their set - heavily featuring songs from second album Neptune - they play You Really Wake Up The
Love In Me, and then a most thematic version of My Sunken Treasure, whereby Liela delivers the verses in a somewhat marching
cadence. “Treasure it sunk when I gave up on lies,” Liela sings, before the band gets to the hooky bridge that goes “that’s ‘cos you
don’t look back, like I look back.” I love the way this band’s writing has found a way to combine elements of 50’s style music, with
the current dare I say “shoe gaze” revival (is there a revival going on? As far as I’m concerned, it never went away!)
Check out my clip of My Sunken Treasure here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SJTiscGQQ5Y
Next up was the ever popular Lasoo which is a real buzz saw guitar and stomping drums affair. Out front of it all is Liela
passionately singing “Ahaaaahahahha” “Feel bad - say so. “Feel good - Let it go” is the advice we’re given. Makes sense to me.
The look and feel of this band can conjure up a number of different images. Liela’s Teutonic Blonde Imagery initially brings to mind
the legendary Nico. So, VU comparisons (at least visually) are a natural. Then there is a bit of the Grace Slick lead Jefferson
Airplane, the overall feel of 1960’s-era bands like The Doors and Rolling Stones (more for the guys) as well as the aforementioned
Garbage and a bit of The Pixies as well.
Moving deeper into the set the band plays Dog Roses, Sovereign and a striking rendition of Neptune’s Call. Liela outdoes herself
on this one. Pounding her heart - Shimmying her hip - spreading her arms out wide and then over her head - grabbing the mic
stand and thrashing about the stage with it - shaking her shoulders, as she belts out the lyrics “Neptune is my king again” while
the guitarists grind out a dirty growl from their amps.
Next up was their featured track The Step and the Walk which was as hypnotic live as it is on their latest record. Liela rocks a
tambournine like nobody else I know. One of the coolest things she does live is turn her body slightly to the side and - for lack of a
better description - shakes are arse in an outward motion. It is a unique move to her as no other singer really does it this way. Just
one more element that sets this band apart from so many others.
With the crowd fully energized and sweat-soaked, the band ripped through fan favourites like This Ship Is Built To Last, Red
Weather and Love Is An Unfamiliar Name. Taking the obligatory two minute break, the band returned for two encores comprised of
Lion Rip and Into the Fold.
You owe it to yourself to see this band live. They’re coming back to New York in April and I certainly won’t be missing it. In the
meantime, you can pick up their latest album in record stores all across the UK and via download worldwide. The CD will be
available in US stores starting on April 8. Go see them.
Words and photographs by Dave Cromwell
Links:
http://www.myspace.com/thedukespirit
dukespirit.com
