Interview with CIAM

"Some of us went to kindergarten together…and some of us still do"

June 17, 2008, 08:01 PM

The initials that make up the band's name are taken from Congress Internationaux d'architecture Moderne, but what significance does this have to the band for it to become your name?
Mark Ferguson: We are big on architecture and design. The original CIAM was a large group of architects responding to social changes and urban design. We are a band, but we also work together with architects, artists, and filmmakers, responding to cultural atrocities like “American Idle” and karaoke culture in the ever-changing world in which we live.


Being from such far-flung corners of the world, how did you all meet?
Chris Hall: We bumped into each other on a street corner. No, actually, some of us went to kindergarten together…and some of us still do.


What do you think is the hardest thing about the band members being so far flung? (London, Tel Aviv, Scandinavia)
CH: Losing our way back home. We’re not sure in which country we live in. Seriously though, four of us live in London and Hadar lives in Tel Aviv. Our producer John Fryer lives in Trondheim, Norway these days.


What do you think about the idea that 'real' albums might go out of fashion with the current interest in download charts?
MF: People need to own art and music, so there will always be a demand for albums, films and books. True, people download albums – well, more often than not, just individual songs, but you can’t replace that pride of OWNING something beautiful and exciting. Besides, if all recorded music was free, people would be willing to pay more for live shows, so it all balances out, eh?


What's the biggest crowd the band have ever played to?
CH: We played for all our grandmothers, a total of 18 people…just kidding. Last year, we played in front of 1,500 people in a concert to mark the death of a friend to cancer.


What would the band's dream concert venue be?
CH: Hollywood Bowl – you know, somewhere small and modest.


Does the band have a rider? If so, what's on it?
CH: Champagne, lots of bananas and Andy Warhol on top.

Farrell Lennon: We don’t bother with riders. That’s old-school. We like to take it to the next level. Our bass player, Mark, won’t perform unless he has summoned his penguin spirit guide. He believes he was reincarnated from [Swedish cartoon character] Pingu and needs the entire Pingu collection available on his iPod before performing. Otherwise, he gets a bit cold on the groove.


If each of you could have a famous admirer of your music, who would it be and why?
MF: Mozart - to approve the violin and strings parts; Eno, to give advice on the mood and atmosphere; John Lennon – just because it’d be cool to have his approval.

CH: Fidel Castro – He could manage the band for the next fifty years; the Coen Brothers - to help with the videos.


If you weren't making music, what job do you think you might be doing?
CH: I’d be either a street cleaner or a politician.


FL: Er…I think I’d be a recycle bin-man with one crucial difference...I’d collect the recycling without leaving half of it just because it’s the wrong color cardboard! I hate that!


What is your favourite lyric of all time and why?
MF: “A Day in the Life” by the Beatles - a dream like story. I hear it and can imagine visuals that go with it. It has a sense of beautiful sadness.


What was the first album you ever bought?
MF: I bought Disintegration by the Cure when I was 9.


Is there a song or album that you wish you had written?
MF: Yes – The Beatles’ White Album.

FL: Purple Rain would have been a great album to have made... in fact, I think being Prince wouldn’t be the least bit boring. Having a license to wear whatever you want and still getting a great response….Imagine having the balls to wear high heels and then plucking on a purple guitar! You'd be screwed if you couldn’t back it up with an especially odd talent. Genius!