"I'll die trying to write something like Expecting To Fly."
ALT SOUNDS: I'm not usually a fan of this question, but your name is rather intriguing and seems to divide opinion. So why Women?
PF: No huge idea, Matt came into my apartment and said 'Hey, Women." Then we said " Okay. " In retrospect I think we liked that it was stupid and generic. Band names are generally stupid so we figured we'd pick a really common word and move on with it. Tiger Sex Tiger Neon and the Sean Maxey Blues Explosion were also in contention.
ALT SOUNDS: Your album cover is also intriguing. The link with your name, and that of the album is clear, but can you explain that particular choice of cover?
PF:There's no huge concept behind the art or the name. We're definitely not trying to blow anyone's minds. I cut that photo out of a chinese medicine textbook that I got from the library and photocopied it several times. I had them up in a row on my wall for a long time and never got tired of looking at it. It's one of the best photo's to look at in the world so it made sense. For whatever reason it reminded me of 'More Songs About Buildings And Food' and that's my favourite album cover.
ALT SOUNDS: Congratulations on the album; it's excellent. How does it sound to you guys now? Do you feel you made the record you set out to make?
PF:We're at peace with the record but anxious to get working on the next one.
ALT SOUNDS: The album received largely positive reviews but I noticed you have quoted "a child banging pots and pans becomes an apt comparison" from one of the rare less favourable reviews of your album. Are you guys pretty temperate about reviews of your work, both positive and negative?
PF:We appreciate the overwhelming positive response to no end as it's afforded us the opportunity to do ridiculous beautiful things like play festivals in Spain w/ Sonic Youth etc. but also understand that it's all out of our hands.
ALT SOUNDS: Having read that it was recorded on boom boxes, and assuming that was a choice borne of artistic preference rather than finances (or lack of), do you plan to stick with such recording techniques for future releases?
PF:Absolutely. If we can make a record that sounds half as good as Jane From Occupied Europe we'll be happy.
ALT SOUNDS: How did your relationship with Chad VanGaalen come about?
PF:Matt met him in Thunder Bay Ontario at the Apollo. Sheila Stephanopolous introduced them.
ALT SOUNDS: Your sound is often compared to The Velvet Underground, but as much as them I hear influence or inspiration from Brian Wilson, particularly in 'Black Rice'. Are these conscious influences?
PF:People often mention Brian Wilson but I never really listen to the Beach Boys. We are hugely inspired by New York bands. Skeeter Davis, Eddie and Ernie and Patsy Cline are also really important to me. I still don't know how to sing but early on when I started I learned a large number of Talking Heads and Neil Young songs. I'll die trying to write something like Expecting To Fly.
ALT SOUNDS: Are you looking forward to your forthcoming European tour? What are your expectations of the countries you will be stopping at? Anywhere you are particularly looking forward to visiting?
PF:We're looking forward to everything.
ALT SOUNDS: How pleased were you to sign to Jagjaguwar last year? It's a very impressive list of artists you have joined; were you fans of the label before signing?
PF:We lost our minds. Being on Jagjaguwar was the sort of thing I would daydream about before this band even existed. Not only are the bands amazing, the people who run the label are the nicest people you've ever met. It's an honor to be a part of it.
ALT SOUNDS: What are your plans after these tours? Will you be playing any festivals? Any recording plans?
PF:We're working on the next record and then heading back to Europe to play Primavera Festival.
ALT SOUNDS: Anything you'd like to add? Feel free to promote anything you like.
PF:Listen to Azeda Booth - In Flesh Tones. There isn't a load of money behind it so it hasn't been endlessly promoted. It's a brilliant record.
Read the Altsounds review of Women's self titled debut album here Women -Women [Album]
PF: No huge idea, Matt came into my apartment and said 'Hey, Women." Then we said " Okay. " In retrospect I think we liked that it was stupid and generic. Band names are generally stupid so we figured we'd pick a really common word and move on with it. Tiger Sex Tiger Neon and the Sean Maxey Blues Explosion were also in contention.
ALT SOUNDS: Your album cover is also intriguing. The link with your name, and that of the album is clear, but can you explain that particular choice of cover?
PF:There's no huge concept behind the art or the name. We're definitely not trying to blow anyone's minds. I cut that photo out of a chinese medicine textbook that I got from the library and photocopied it several times. I had them up in a row on my wall for a long time and never got tired of looking at it. It's one of the best photo's to look at in the world so it made sense. For whatever reason it reminded me of 'More Songs About Buildings And Food' and that's my favourite album cover.
ALT SOUNDS: Congratulations on the album; it's excellent. How does it sound to you guys now? Do you feel you made the record you set out to make?
PF:We're at peace with the record but anxious to get working on the next one.
ALT SOUNDS: The album received largely positive reviews but I noticed you have quoted "a child banging pots and pans becomes an apt comparison" from one of the rare less favourable reviews of your album. Are you guys pretty temperate about reviews of your work, both positive and negative?
PF:We appreciate the overwhelming positive response to no end as it's afforded us the opportunity to do ridiculous beautiful things like play festivals in Spain w/ Sonic Youth etc. but also understand that it's all out of our hands.
ALT SOUNDS: Having read that it was recorded on boom boxes, and assuming that was a choice borne of artistic preference rather than finances (or lack of), do you plan to stick with such recording techniques for future releases?
PF:Absolutely. If we can make a record that sounds half as good as Jane From Occupied Europe we'll be happy.
ALT SOUNDS: How did your relationship with Chad VanGaalen come about?
PF:Matt met him in Thunder Bay Ontario at the Apollo. Sheila Stephanopolous introduced them.
ALT SOUNDS: Your sound is often compared to The Velvet Underground, but as much as them I hear influence or inspiration from Brian Wilson, particularly in 'Black Rice'. Are these conscious influences?
PF:People often mention Brian Wilson but I never really listen to the Beach Boys. We are hugely inspired by New York bands. Skeeter Davis, Eddie and Ernie and Patsy Cline are also really important to me. I still don't know how to sing but early on when I started I learned a large number of Talking Heads and Neil Young songs. I'll die trying to write something like Expecting To Fly.
ALT SOUNDS: Are you looking forward to your forthcoming European tour? What are your expectations of the countries you will be stopping at? Anywhere you are particularly looking forward to visiting?
PF:We're looking forward to everything.
ALT SOUNDS: How pleased were you to sign to Jagjaguwar last year? It's a very impressive list of artists you have joined; were you fans of the label before signing?
PF:We lost our minds. Being on Jagjaguwar was the sort of thing I would daydream about before this band even existed. Not only are the bands amazing, the people who run the label are the nicest people you've ever met. It's an honor to be a part of it.
ALT SOUNDS: What are your plans after these tours? Will you be playing any festivals? Any recording plans?
PF:We're working on the next record and then heading back to Europe to play Primavera Festival.
ALT SOUNDS: Anything you'd like to add? Feel free to promote anything you like.
PF:Listen to Azeda Booth - In Flesh Tones. There isn't a load of money behind it so it hasn't been endlessly promoted. It's a brilliant record.
Read the Altsounds review of Women's self titled debut album here Women -Women [Album]
