By Jed
Please be reminded that L.A. psychedelic rockers Torches (formerly Torches in Trees -- this will be explained later) will be playing a RFSL presented show on Sunday, September 4 at the Bootleg Theatre, supported by Seasons, Summer Twins and Naive Thieves. The purpose of this show is to premiere their new (and very first) music video for "Dirt & Tears", the audio of which you can stream here. All three members of Torches spoke to me recently via email about where this band came from, where it is heading, and its plans to film a sequel to Huckleberry Finn on the Los Angeles River:
Radio Free Silver Lake: What can you tell us about your “Dirt and Tears” video premiering on Sunday (without giving away too many spoilers)?
Azad Cheikosman: We sort of wanted to approach our first music video much, much differently than your typical "hey, we're a band, let's have a video with us playing our instruments etc." I'd say prepare to be surprised or maybe even not surprised, if you know us.
Eric Fabbro: Hell man, I'm just so anxious to show everyone. It's definitely a pretty awesome story, you'll take a look at it and be like, "whoah, I'm so overwhelmed by the imagery here, what does it mean???"
Bridgette Moody: It's an illusion!!
RFSL: How did you end up working with [Local Natives' producer?] Raymond Richards?
Azad: We got in touch with him through some good friends of ours. My buddy Johnny, who's a big supporter of what we're doing, had recorded with him and suggested that we record some music with him as soon as possible. I got in contact with his agent and a few days later I'd receive a phone call from him saying how much he wanted to work with Torches. This was quite flattering.
We loved how he crafted the Local Natives recordings and Seasons as well so it was a good fit.
Raymond has a good ear for our sound.
RFSL: What’s the meaning of the name “Torches in Trees”? Also, why do I sometimes see you billed as “Torches in Trees” and sometimes as just “Torches”? What’s the right name? Is there a story behind this?
Azad: I'm not sure we thought about it all that much. I will say we went through quite a bit of awful names until we stumbled upon the names Torches in Trees. Oh yes, and if I could take the time to announce we are now calling ourselves Torches. It's easier and rolls off the tongue better.
Eric: Yeah, its just back and forth right now. We're just trying to ease people into calling us Torches, we hope not too many people are confused, but yeah, its just easier..
Bridgette: We just like confusing people, I guess. Haha.
RFSL: Tell me about the formation of the band. How did you all get to start playing together?
Azad: Eric and I have been bashing away at our instruments (guitar, drums, vocals) for close to ten years. We lived next door to each other so we found it easy to get together and form a band. It was bands like Nirvana and Radiohead who made us want to create our own music.
Eric: yeah, Azad bought his first guitar when we were just wee lads. I was so desperate to play in a band with my friends... I would just bang on a cooler until my parents finally gave way into getting me a drum set. Bridge has been with us for quite a few years now, she's a pretty damn versatile instrumentalist, filling many roles like guitar, percussion, and now bass.
RFSL: What’s your reaction to the last minute cancellation of Sunset Junction?
Azad: When I heard the news my initial reaction was sadness. I've never actually gone, but I'm all for local music festivals and good music in the Los Angeles community so it's disappointing when you hear about these things. Money governs everything and I hope it doesn't stop me from doing what I want to do. I don't think it ever will.
Eric: WHAT?? THEY CANCELLED THAT SHIT?
Bridgette: Long live Echo Park Rising!
RFSL: I have read that your influences are Radiohead, David Bowie and Neil Young. If you have a favorite album/song from each, I’m curious to know.
Azad: With Radiohead I can never really decide. I feel that almost all of their complete catalogue is pure gold, but that's just me. At this moment in time my favorite records from them are Kid A and their most recent, the King of Limbs. My fave Bowie record is easily Ziggy Stardust and the Spiders from Mars. As for Neil Young the record that always does it for me is After the Goldrush, I think most of us would agree on that one. "Tell Me Why" is a simple, yet powerful piece.
Eric: oh damn, thats always been a hard decision.. With Radiohead it had always been Ok Computer for years, but then I began appreciating Kid A more, even In Rainbows took the title for a short while... I'm not sure if I have a favorite from Bowie.. Neil Young I'll go with Harvest. I remember when I first heard "Alabama" on the 10 freeway coming back for Big Bear, pretty damn moving
Bridgette: I would be happy listening to nothing but Radiohead's KID A and IN RAINBOWS, Neil Young's AFTER THE RUSH and EVERYBODY KNOWS THIS IS NOWEHERE, and Bowie's HUNKY DORY for the rest of time.
RFSL: As fans of Los Angeles’ waterways, do you have plans to canoe down the recently opened portion of the L.A. River? Would you consider a guerrilla show atop a boat? Or a raft?
Azad: I'm into it. I've never gone canoeing and what better reason to? I'd like to play a guerrilla show in quite possibly the most awkward place you can think of. Music is so organic and sometimes we forget that, so it's nice to take away from the conventional club, festival, or theater vibe.
Eric: YESSS ! Oh man, that would be sweet! I think we'll have to play zydeco music on the river though.. my dad always said you can never be sad while listening to that music.
Bridgette: Row, row , row yer mofuggin' boat!
[See here Torches' unplugged Gorilla Acoustic performance under the Suicide Bridge over the Arroyo Seco in South Pasadena.]
TORCHES IN TREES "FEELING OF A FIGURE" from Gorillacoustic.com on Vimeo.
RFSL: You have described your music as psychedelic. Do you feel more kinship with contemporary psychedelic bands or those from the 1960s or early 1970s?Azad: Labels are silly, but I guess we can help, but sound a bit hazy. For me personally, I'd say I feel an equal kinship with bands from back then and contemporary acts. Sure, it feels like mostly everything has been done, but music is still growing and changing itself in different ways.
Eric: Pyschedlia is such a loose term, I certainly wouldn't say we're trippers, but we like to put that edge into our music
RFSL: What bands are you listening to the most right now?
Eric: Fucked Up, Pavement, deerhunter.. ....analcunt....
Bridgette: Lately I've been doing the whole iPod shuffle thing, to force myself to listen to something besides KD Lang.
RFSL: Have you been successful in reaching out to potential fans outside of the L.A. music circle, and what do you believe is the best way for a band to broaden its fanbase? Where is the craziest place in which you have discovered a Torches in Trees fan?
Azad: Gaining fans is never easy. We've always found it harder for us for some reason. People often say we're pretty damn young to be playing the sort of music we play. The craziest place we've discovered Torches fans was Sacramento. We stopped up there during a short northwest tour and they bought a lot of cds and had us sign them. These people were convinced were going to make it (laughs).
Eric: I love LA, but the truth is not many people care about your band. That's why we appreciate every fan, friend, family member so much for their support. Its kind of weird, having some people message us from places like the UK who say they want to review our music.
Bridgette: I have recurring dreams of pimping all over the world.
RFSL: What is your greatest fear?
Azad: Money, and if it's not that then it's something as frightening.
Eric: Being lost and naked.
Bridgette: Remember that episode of The Simpsons when Mr. Burns gets radiation poisoning? The image of him floating through the forest as the X-Files theme plays haunts me to this day. Cold sweat, tears and all.
RFSL: Tell me one thing I “must” know about that band that is not captured in your online bios or other interviews.
Azad:
Eric: Ranch dressing is my bane.
Bridgette: we're very open about our bodily functions with each other. But what are best friends for, right?
The show is for those 21 and over and only costs $5. You can stream Torches music for free here.
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