German dark wave indie rockers Lizard Pool have just put out their second album, Spark. Tomatrax caught up with Vincent Oley, the band's lead singer and guitarist, to ask a few questions.
It was in the noughties. During this time as a teenager I discovered many cool bands and music from the 70's till the 2000's for the first time. There's a first time for everything. But eventually I realised that I'd listened to decades of music and the technology of the time couldn't supply new music fast enough for me, so I founded Lizard Pool to be able to listen to more music I was dreaming of.
- Where did the name Lizard Pool come from?
When we formed the band, we had a very deep connection with "The Doors". After our rehearsals we went singing through the rough but beautiful empty streets of Leipzig West in the night and felt the spirit of Jim Morrison. 🙂
Jim Morrison was the Lizard King. We just saw ourselves as like-minded people and our band should be a collection pool for Lizards like him.
- According to your Bandcamp page, orders for your latest album are "signed by hand" is it hard to keep to this commitment?
We are very grateful about every purchase. Since we are still at the beginning of our career, we would like to give something back to the fans of the first hour in this way.
- Where did the title 'Spark' come from?
On the one hand it expresses the moment when something comes unquestioned into your life and instantly changes the way you feel and think - results can be love, sadness, joy or anger. There are many "Spark-Moments" flowing in the lyrics - in the song "Death of a Soul-Plumber" I process the extinction of the spark of life in a person close to me.
On the other hand it stands for the "Spark-Moments" when the listeners get involved with the album and its songs for the first time.
- What was the inspiration behind the album's cover?
This will eventually remain our secret. But our friend and pressman Peter Matzke went in the right direction with his considerations: Is it a reference to the band name? Do these people submit to a purification, a catharsis, a baptism? Or were they thrown into the water, fighting for their lives? There is probably everything in this sheet by master Guy Marchant from 1493. The picture is called "punishment of the envious"
We also love the style of the artwork very much.
- What made you pick 'Wave of joy' as the album's single?
The drive
- Given you're from Germany, why do you sing in English?
A good question!
On the one hand I like the sound of the English language especially in the musical field. Maybe it's due to my musical socialization. It feels just as logical to me as spaghetti with tomato sauce instead of spaghetti with mustard.
On the other hand, on the first album I also sang half of the songs in German. How do you like it?.:
For me personally, it sounded too academic afterwards.
Due to its historical use, the mother tongue in Germany is also exposed to hot debates, which often makes it an annoying linguistic minefield.
I also like the idea that almost everyone in the world can understand English lyrics
- What is the music scene like in Leipzig?
At the end of the cold war, Leipzig had a real underground post-punk scene. It built the soundtrack for the revolution in these times. The bands and their audience were targeted by the state power. Music served as artistic rebellion and not for commercial dreams. My father was in such a band. That's a very exciting story you can't even begin talk about on the side.
In the 90's and 2000s the scene was fragmented. Everyone wanted to be the coolest and has not really granted the other - off the record - his success. There were some upcoming projects but as fast as they rose they disappeared.
At the moment a change is starting again. There are many new interesting projects, some rough but also high quality and they are happy to collaborate, to support each other and to present an alternative way of life.
- When writing what comes first, the words or the music?
The music. The music reflects my inner feelings without need of words. But I remember the circumstances when those feelings came to light. I write stories about it afterwards.
- Do you ever listen to your own music?
Yes, of course. More when they are new, but it's similar to all other songs I listen to.
- What (other) music do you listen to?
A wide range: From THE CURE to WEEZER, from FRÉDÉRIC CHOPIN to PETER HOOK, from KRAFTWERK to MEXICAN SURF MUSIC. From FRANZ FERDINAND to RAE SREMMURD. I'm always interested in new stuff more than celebrating the good old days. Recently I have found quite a liking for electronic music and trap.
- Now that your latest album is out, what do you have planned next?
To connect to the previous question: I find it exciting to mix different styles of music to make something new. With Lizard Pool I stay true to the post-punk, Indie and dark wave roots, but currently it is a pleasure for me to combine post-punk bass riffs with trap instrumentals I got from a Birminhgham "Beat Builder". I particularly like how deep and dark it sounds :-Day
Check our Lizard Pool's Bandcamp page to find out more!