An established indie band signing to a major label is a story that’s been told countless times.
But Interpol’s version has a different twist. After leaving EMI following the release of 2007’s Our Love To Admire, they’ve returned to Matador, the independent label they originally called home.
“There have been a lot of changes in the music industry. When we had the opportunity to part ways with EMI we made a mutual decision,” says guitarist Daniel Kessler. “We didn’t consider anyone else but Matador. We always retained a great friendship with them and always admired them.”
Having released their first two albums on Matador, 2002’s seminal debut Turn On The Bright Lights and 2004’s exceptional Antics, both the band and label are counting on recapturing that spark again with their new self-titled album.
Kessler feels it offers something both new and familiar. “There are threads you will recognize that this is obviously Interpol,” he explains. “I also think it’s our most progressive record to date.”
Building on the sweeping orchestral arrangements of its predecessor, Interpol expands the compass of the band’s overcast, atmospheric rock.
“With Our Love To Admire, there were some things that foreshadowed what was to come with this record. There’s a greater expansion of harmonies and melodies.”
Most importantly, Kessler says the band wanted to shift the focus away from song-driven iTunes generation back to the good old days of listening to a complete album.
“We’re really very much an album band and not into catering to the modern age,” he says. “It’s really about the ten songs and how they correspond to each other. It’s been like that since day one.”
