Coachella <\/a>music festival. Their last album ‘Wolfgang Amadeus Phoenix,’ released in 2009, put Phoenix on the map as one of the most popular alternative bands in the world;\u00a0 one of the albums most well received tracks, ‘1901,’ was even featured during Super Bowl XLV, a huge milestone for any artist at any level.<\/p>\nFour years later, Phoenix is back with a new album titled Bankrupt! <\/em>and it’s one of the most anticipated albums of 2013. The group has been releasing tracks to the public one at a time through social media leading up to the actual release which is set for April 22, 2013. Some are calling it ‘experimental,’ others, revolutionary. Vocalist Thomas Mars took some time to sit down with us and discuss the new album, tour dates, and put the daft punk rumors to rest. Enjoy!<\/p>\n________________________________<\/p>\n
AFM:<\/strong><\/span> What is the meaning behind the fruit artwork on Bankrupt!? We can’t quite figure out the connection between a Peach, and having no money :p<\/p>\nPhoenix:<\/strong> We wanted to find things that were not necessary elegant, something common but not if transposed in the music world.<\/p>\nAFM:<\/strong><\/span>The tracks on the Bankrupt! album seem more matured and fleshed out, what was the mindset or thought process when it came to writing new songs for Bankrupt?<\/p>\nPhoenix:<\/strong> We started to write all the songs at once and they were pretty much finished all at the same time. It was a long process to gather a lot of material, way more than we’ve ever produced and then keep the best of it. Something like distillation.<\/p>\n[youtube id=”86_TqlVQscQ” width=”600″ height=”350″]\nAFM:<\/span>\u00a0<\/strong>Daniel Glass, the founder of Glassnote Records, stated in relation to your new material, “It’s very hard to beat\u00a0Wolfgang Amadeus Phoenix, but this could be revolutionary. Do you agree with this statement? Why or why not?<\/p>\nPhoenix:<\/strong> When you have a successful record you know that the next one is going to get more attention. You can either be frightened to lose what you’ve won and be in this never ending race to please as many people as possible or you can just not care about it and focus on making new music. We tried the second option.<\/p>\nAFM: <\/strong><\/span>Which tracks off Bankrupt! are you most proud of? Most excited to share with the world?<\/p>\nPhoenix:<\/strong> Right now it would be the Real Thing.<\/p>\n[youtube id=”tBsRvthVhdw” width=”600″ height=”350″]\nAFM: <\/strong><\/span>Where and how do you guys discover new music? Anything you’re listening to right now that you’re particularly fond of?<\/p>\nPhoenix:<\/strong> I like Mac deMarco. You can hear the acoustics of his bedroom<\/p>\nAFM: <\/strong><\/span>You\u2019ve played at most of the major of festivals the world has to offer, is there one festival, or one experience at a festival that stands out as the most memorable? Are there any festivals you have not performed at that you would really like to?<\/p>\nPhoenix:<\/strong> Oh yes many! Never played on mount Fuji….<\/p>\nAFM: <\/strong><\/span>You\u2019re going back to SNL for the second time, performing live on April 6th<\/sup>, so you have an idea of what to expect, any plans to get in on any sketches? What is it like to be a part of their shows production?<\/p>\nPhoenix:<\/strong> French people can’t act. \u00a0there are a few exceptions of course but that’s the truth…<\/p>\nWe are very honored to play SNL. It is the finest TV show I know.<\/p>\n
AFM: <\/strong><\/span>Your songs get remixed by electronic artists a lot, what are your thoughts about doing a few shows as a DJ set as some other bands have done?<\/p>\nPhoenix:<\/strong> We are terrible DJ’s… I tried when i was 18 and I emptied the dance floor.<\/p>\nAFM: <\/strong><\/span>The burning question on everyone’s mind…will you have any ‘guest performers’ join you on stage at Coachella?<\/p>\nPhoenix:<\/strong> No. We have to do this one on our own. It’s important. We have to climb the north face this time.<\/p>\nAFM: <\/strong><\/span> Thank you so much for taking the time to talk with us! We cannot wait for your show in Arizona and we’ll be looking forward to your performances at SNL and Coachella! Cheers!<\/p>\n
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