Crystal Stilts are heading to Norwich on Wednesday 3rd August to play the Norwich Arts Centre, so ahead of that we asked JB Townsend (Guitar, left above) a few quick questions.
So for those who aren’t familiar with you guys, give us a quick run through of who you are and where you are from?
We’re the Bingo Balloons and we’re from Nova Scotia’s Polka heartland- Wait that’s another band I’m in- We’re named Crystal Stilts and we’re based in New York.
Where did the band name come from?
From our singers brain I believe. There weren’t any crystal bands around at the time we chose it.
What bands influence your sound?
Woosh, There are quite a few and it’s always changing.
Are there any new bands you guys are enjoying at the moment?
The Rolling Stones, Tanks Amigo.
I’m liking the new album seems to be lighter than the first album’s heavy shoegaze feel, was this a concisous decious when writing?
Oh thank you. Nah i don’t think it was conscious. Upon retro-inspection, I think we’re sort of non-deliberately branching out further in multiple different directions- while still holding the same root base, and general aesthetic formula -although with some added influences and new ways of looking at writing songs. I got that answer from a band interview textbook.
How have the gigs around Europe been going?
They’ve been really good in general. It usually varies depending on the city, the vibe of the venue, the night of the week, time of year etc. –but the last run, although grueling at times, was really great on stage. Nice fans and sweet people. There were some places that we had begun writing off as a bust that turned out to be great this time.
Any “on tour” anecdotes?
In Detroit as we were walking up to a motel on the outskirts of town late at night- i had a giant duffle bag on my back and a guy hanging out in front of the motel looked at me and mocked in a very white dude accent, “I got my ski gear dude!” That was the best thing that anyone’s ever said to me on tour.
Are you looking forward to playing Norwich?
Yeah we’ve never been there. The venue we’re playing is an old church I guess? Sounds interesting.
Finally what are your plans for the rest of the year, more touring or is it time to go back in the studio again?
There may be some minor touring but nothing definite yet. We have an EP coming out at the end of the year. We’ll probably continue writing for awhile before we get back in the studio again.