The Funeral Suits play Animal Disco , Belfast on November 11th!
Congratulations on the release of your new single, Health. Some images in the music video, like the haunting pigs head, would suggest inspiration was taking from literature classic Lord of the Flies. Can you clue us in on this?
The video was totally inspired by Lord of the Flies. One of our good friends, Shawn Ryan, put together the concept and directed the video. I was so excited when he pitched the idea too us because Lord of the Flies is one of my favourite books. We weren’t around for filming because we were on tour at the time but Shawn was telling me that they shot it really early in the morning in a public park somewhere in Dublin. Apparently when they were finished they left two mutilated pigs heads in the centre of the green area. Would have been nice to get some reaction shots from that.
Where did the name Funeral Suits come from? Is the dark, melancholy image it can portray something you want to bring across in your music?
I used to work in an office in town a few years ago where I had to wear a suit. I completely hated the job and having to wear a suit. So i thought it’d cool to start a band called ‘The Suits’ but I think some Australian band were already called ‘the suits’….. When i found that out i was sitting beside my computer and a copy of ‘Funeral’ by Arcade Fire was on a table in front of me. I was lost in that album at the time, its so good. ‘Funeral Suits’ just came into my head. Thats how the name came about……. I didn’t even think of the item of clothing until someone else said it. I think for us the name is something that has never meant anything melancholy or morbid. A Funeral is a celebration of life anyway.
With upcoming shows across the pond in New York and in London, is there one thing you miss about Ireland or like to take along with you on the road?
We usually make sure to bring a box of lucky charms and a picture of a field with us. I joke. Of course we love Ireland but while we’re away we’ll have a good time.
Your debut album saw you working with Stephan Street, who had the experience of producing for Brit rock legends such as The Smiths and Blur. Was this experience paramount in creating the sound you wanted?
Of course. Stephen is a great engineer and producer. It was great working with him and we learnt alot from working with him.
From watching your 2011 tour video on YouTube, you all seem to be up for a laugh. What was the funniest moment had or prank played while on tour ?
I really don’t know. When Brian just joined the band i woke up with him holding a knife around my throat which i’m still not sure was a prank.
What is your typical song writing process and what comes first, music or lyrics?
Anything and everything goes.
What’s the next step for Funeral Suits, what does 2012 have in store?
We’ll be bringing out the album and touring a stack more!
The Funeral Suits play Animal Disco , Belfast on November 11th!
Ken Grand-Pierre is a young photographer and journalist from New York. He has interviewed and photographed many of his favourite bands already and has a very promising career in front of him. Ken also has a really good taste in music and has some kind of infatuation with the Northern Ireland music scene. He has written, interviewed and photographed for Panic Dots and we thought it was time that Ken contributed to out podcasts. The sound is a dodgy, but all the tracks are sweet! Please enjoy a seriously kick-ass playlist by Ken Grand-Pierre.
