photo by Justine Benith

It’s been awhile since we’ve had an interview here at SDM, but it looks like Jill is back at it. This time she interviewed Turner Stough of The Isles. Enjoy!!

Jill Donenfeld – So you guys are coming out with an album in April, when did you finish recording?

Turner Stough – We recorded in mid-July to mid-August at a really great studio in Williamsburg: Excello. It’s my first record with the Isles since I’ve been in the band. We’re trying to simplify the arrangements more. The previous record felt a little closed in and with short segments. This one was more about long verses, long chorus’. It’s easier to relate to songs like that.

JD – Ah, so now that’s why it’s so punchy. When did you join?

TS – I joined last October. But The Isles have been around since 2005, 2006.

JD – So who are your major influences?

TS – We like the Kinks, The Zombies, Guided By Voices… we also like a lot of Brit-pop. That sound.

JD – When did you start playing bass?

TS – I started playing bass in 7^th grade, age 13. I’ve played in a band since college… and I did jazz ensemble stuff in high school.

The Isles – Eve of the Battle (mp3)
The Isles - Major Arcana (mp3)

If you like what you hear you can purchase their music directly from their MySpace page. Also make sure you check out their website for more information.

Continue the interview after the Jump…

JD – What are the previous bands with whom you’ve played?

TS – I played in a band called Face Parade, which sounded kinda of Pavement/Velvet Underground. Then I joined a band called The Memories.

JD – You have really good bands names!

TS – Well I was only involved in Face Parade but yeah band names are hard.

JD – What’s one that you’ve thought of that is yet to be realized so to speak?

TS – Well, if I was gonna be in a Prague band I would name it Platinum Zephyr.

JD – Who are you listening to right now or what band names do you like right now?

TS – Haha, nice. I like the new El Perro Del Mar.

JD – Oh cool! I think I saw her… Opening for Lykke Li?

TS – Yeah, at Bowery Ballroom. She’s amazing.

JD – Who else?

TS – I’ve been listening to that Zombies record, Odyssey and Oracle.

JD – Do you think you have any competition right now?

TS – I don’t know. I’m having trouble thinking of people who are like us. It’s easier to compare yourself to people in the past. I’ll leave this question to your discretion.

JD – Ha-ha, kk. So what’s a typical day like for you?

TS – I wake up around 9 or 10ish.

JD – Wow that’s great.

TS – Yeah, gotta keep it reasonable. Then I practice for a few hours then get lunch and then practice for a few more hours and then go to band practice.

JD – Do other people in the band have day jobs?

TS – They are kinda floaters at a real estate firm. It’s not a big deal if they have to take time off. The lead guitarist works at a bar in Hoboken.

JD – Got it. And could you go over who the band members are?

TS – Sure. Andrew Geller – singer, Tim Mccoy-drummer, and Judson- lead guitarist.

JD – Do you guys have any crazy touring stories? Any shit hit the fan?

TS – Touring was pretty laid back – no one was tearing each other’s throats out or anything. Nothing too wild.

JD – No major malfunctions?

TS – No. The van worked…I mean we were only out for a week so there wasn’t much time to get too wild.

JD – Got it. Well do you have a favorite venue?

TS – I like playing at Union Hall. The sound girl is really good. Everyone is really nice. And I like going to shows there, too. I saw a great singer/song writer there recently.

JD – What are you guys doing right now?

TS – We haven’t started booking places for our April tour yet. But we’re pretty busy writing right now. We are going to record a new album in March. We want to try to have a record or maybe an EP every year. It gets pretty stultifying to play the same stuff for a year and a half. We wanna go back in right after we finish promoting this one.

JD – That makes sense. But as far as this album is concerned, is there an ideal way someone should listen to it?

TS – We’re trying to perfect that 2 -3 minute pop song. I’d peg it as a good walking around listening to it in your headphones kinda album. We try to be real strict with ourselves and eliminate the chaff and stick to the heart of the record. We cut a few songs for the sake of the flow of the album.

JD – Well thanks very much, Turner, for this interview and also for putting together such a winning album.