August 26th, 2009
10 Questions With The New Motels
Jenkintown quartet the New Motels refers to its sound as “ramshackle radio-pop,” and the foursome does indeed wrap classic, catchy hooks in arrangements that veer off in unexpected directions, get a little weird, and threaten to fly off the tracks. Ultimately, though it all stays glued together and delivers big, memorable melodic payoffs. Power-pop, indie-folk, and mod-pop all find a home in their songs; PW’s Doug Wallen said of their Domestic Life EP, “Leader Josh Levandoski sings calmly over the band’s twangy pop, which remains sunny despite his looming worries. It’s mostly a slow-burning record until the closing ‘Drama of the Hollywood Scene’ stirs up vivid imagery that could’ve been inspired by Annie Hall. That’s a big complement, by the way.” The New Motels play the North Star tomorrow night; we caught up with Levandoski and bassist Adam Vinson today and tossed some questions their way.
What are your memories of the first show you ever played as a band?
A bandmate had a flare-up of his irritable bowel syndrome at the Khyber. It’s the second-to-last place you would want to shit.
What are you most looking forward to about Thursday night’s show?
Playing with the other fellas. Tee hee.
What’s the nicest thing anyone’s said or written about your band? What’s the jerkiest thing anyone’s said or written about your band?
“That ‘Modern Thinker’ is a hell of a fuckin’ song.” “You guys are real tight.”
Describe the 10 minutes prior to going onstage and the 10 minutes immediately after coming off stage.
Loving ourselves before…hating ourselves afterwards. 10 minutes prior usually involves getting a round at the bar to take on stage. 10 minutes after involves clearing the stage and then getting another round at the bar.
Do you ever get gifts from fans? If so, what are some of the more interesting or unique ones you’ve gotten?
Someone once threw a pair of Superwoman panties on stage. It’s hard not to encourage this behavior.
What’s the strangest thing you’ve seen in the crowd or at a venue while you were playing a show?
One time this guy named Moon came in off the street and started dancing during our set. Adam, our bass player, got off the stage mid-song and started dancing along. It’s on YouTube, I believe.
What are the pros and cons of being a band in the Philadelphia area?
The pros are that Philly has such a rich and respected musical history, there are solid venues to play, and Philly bands are generally easy to get along with. The cons are that people don’t come out to shows like they used to. Maybe it’s because there are so many bands and so many options, but the general public doesn’t seem as interested in trying out new bands.
What’s the one question about you, your music, or your band that you wish fans would ask you after a show but don’t?
Wheredja get those glasses?
If you had a friend from out of town coming to Jenkintown and they only had one day to spend there, what would you recommend they do?
Go to Bucket’s and say hi to Laura.
What’s the single greatest thing about being in this band?
Sweating.
The New Motels play the North Star on Thursday, August 27 at 8pm. $10.
2 Responses to “10 Questions With The New Motels”
By john kennedy on Aug 26, 2009
these are incredible…talented and good looking as well. a must-see show tomorrow night
By jesselun on Aug 27, 2009
I’m a fan…these guys actually rock