Interview with Lucas Lanthier
Official sites:
http://www.cinemastrange.nightmarezone.de
http://www.thedeadflyensemble.com
http://www.myspace.com/cinemastrange
http://www.myspace.com/thedeadflyensemble
Nattsol: Tell me, please, how and when did you come into music? Did you have any other artistic experiences before you started the band?
Lanthier: Well, it’s not very exciting admitting that music has always been an influential part of my life, since I was a baby, even, so I will tell about my first real band. It was called Mr. Them and the Granite Slab and the only members were me and my brother, Nathaniel, who is a comic book artist now although he is still a wonderful singer. I was about 11 and he was about 10 years old when we started Mr. Them. We recorded several songs and I remember that I did so much screaming during the recording sessions that I lost my voice for a week. Our big hit was a song called «Datha-Datha-Datha». So music has always been important, but my first creative passion was writing. I still consider myself a writer before a musician, but it’s a close race. And I guess film making is also running alongside them. But any medium I choose to work with usually amounts to Storytelling. Perhaps that’s the passion behind the other passions.
Nattsol: What can you say about the foundation of ‘Cinema Strange’? How did the musicians meet each other, and what things did you share for that time?
Lanthier: I started Cinema Strange with Colin O’Donnell, Alex Restrepo and Danny Ribiat in 1994. We were all just young fellows then, still in school. Those early days were very much school days and all sorts of adventures were mixed up in the music. Later, Alex and Colin left and Danny and I took a break for a year or so before continuing on as a two-man operation. We had his brother Michael and James Powell help us on stage a lot, dressed up as mummies and working the fog machine and so forth, and then Michael joined us as a guitarist in 1998 and proved that he could do more than just work a fog machine. James Powell, incidentally, besides doing his own music project nowadays, plays bass for me in the Deadfly Ensemble proving that he can do more than just dress up like a mummy.
Nattsol: Well, so you said that you had an artistic element from the beginning. And what about your musical influences? As I know you never denied some influences of batcave/deathrock music. So what can you say about these and other musical references? Were there musical forerunners of Cinema Strange?
Lanthier: There are definitely some great batcave/deathrock tunes out there, and also some great chamber music tunes and also some great salsa tunes and also some great Kabuki theater tunes and also some great delta blues tunes and, and, and… This list is always too lugubrious to handle eloquently. For me, at least. In regard to my own music projects, I only had a couple before Cinema Strange. I was a drummer in a punk band called the Inflatable Dolls when I was 14 or so. And before that I had Mr. Them and the Granite Slab with my brother… But I’ve been in Cinema Strange for almost half my life. And the Deadfly Ensemble for the last several years. Those are definitely the most significant musical projects I’ve ever been involved in. (Mr. Them may be the exception, but until I can find that lost recording session, it’s more of a legend.)
Nattsol: Well, and what about other people’s music? Was there some music which ‘showed you a way’ or so?
Lanthier: I’ve had a recurring nightmare since I was very, very young. In fact, this nightmare comprises some of my earliest memories. In it, a terrible Angel appears in the sky, swirling with the brightest plasma and the deepest black of the universe, and opens its mouth, flooding my ears and mind with a storm of music so terrifying that I am paralyzed and insensate with fear and awe. That music, whenever I hear it, reminds me that my own work should reflect the moon and bloody battles and at least a few of the animals of our earth before I join the jumble of numbers that twist around and above us, forming everything. I am only a Lucas Lanthier, servant to terrible angels.
Nattsol: While watching videos of your projects it’s easy to notice your artistic play which can seem quite weird. Like a combination of actor’s and singer’s essences. Can you tell me about your artistic development of this kind on stage and apart from it?
Lanthier: I don’t know very much about traditional theater, but I know that my own brand of theater is very much a part of my musical stage show. More so in the Deadfly Ensemble, as a whole, entire presentation, but in Cinema Strange I do more acting within the songs because I’m not usually playing guitar at the same time and am free to play a character more thoroughly. The Deadfly Ensemble probably more resembles a traditional theatrical situation because we often have scripts and even other actors as a part of the productions.
Nattsol: What sort of strangeness was/is meant in the band’s name? Was it hard to find your audience? And what were first public’s reactions on your shows?
Lanthier: Well, I have to think back 15 years and try to remember why we named the band that. I think it had a lot to do with my love of silent cinema, especially the German expressionist stuff and even some of the anarchic silent comedies from America, oh and we can’t forget your Eisenstein, can we? When I started the project, I wanted to write and perform music for silent films. We didn’t really get around to doing that, but the name reflected some of those desires and also some of the dramatic themes that we then pursued.
Nattsol: Now let’s talk about breaking points in the band’s life. Every band’s release is different. There was more deathrock music before the first album, and your albums reflect your way to more art rock style. So can you say that is was/is a straight way, or it’s more a spontaneous reflection? Do you reject previous stuff in style and musical aspects when you work on new songs, or you try to do the music oriented on it?
Lanthier: Actually, the material on the various albums is more connected than it may seem. There are songs from all three Cinema Strange records, and from both Deadfly Ensemble records, that were actually written at the same time. Some of the songs on the latest recordings were actually from the earliest days of Cinema Strange. The first Cinema Strange album was very much a collection of the songs we were playing in the late nineties or the first six years of the band’s existence, the songs that were getting us noticed around Los Angeles and, via the internet, around the world. The third album was very much a collection of the songs that we had been playing in the LAST six years or so, with a couple exceptions. Really, the only album that was not exactly a collection, but a planned album from start to finish, was “The Astonished Eyes of Evening”. But even that had some material on it that had been around for a while. The two Deadfly albums were planned pretty thoroughly, but again, some of those songs had been alive since the nineties, just never recorded.
Nattsol: Cinema Strange has plenty of rarities and unreleased stuff. As I noticed, much more than the released one. Is there a chance to see it (re) released some day? Do you also have a plan to release a live CD, or the second DVD?
Lanthier: We actually don’t have that many unreleased songs. We do have some material that has never been recorded, but I don’t think we could make a full album with it. There are, however, about eight trillion live recordings, most of which should probably not see the light of day.
Nattsol: Tell me more details, please, how did Danny join the band? And why did you decide to use live drums?
Lanthier: Danny Walker first started playing drums with us in 2001, although not regularly. He’s a wonderful percussionist and works with many projects besides Cinema Strange. He and Michael went to school together (along with James Powell, my bassist for the Deadfly Ensemble). We’re lucky to have him when we can get him, but he definitely has a busy schedule!
Nattsol: Now a few questions about your first DVD Pressed Flowers/Squashed Blossoms’. First of all, could you describe two your films there Commandos… Dancing!’ and Beware of Zombie Forest’ with your own words.
Lanthier: I made those super-8 films with the intention of showing them in the background during live concerts. And that’s exactly what happened. During the shows I would have the film play forwards, then backwards and then loop until the end of the concert. I put them on the DVD because I thought they were somewhat entertaining as stand-alone short films. I love super-8 film.
Nattsol: The next question about the DVD stuff. There’s the documentary there, called Miming-Off in a Lake of Burning Flame’. How far is that film from your real life? Can you say that the things what’re going on there quite usual for your life? And what is the difference between real’ life and this film?
Lanthier: Unfortunately, this film seems rather close to real life. At least at that time, anyway. I don’t live in California anymore, but that’s pretty much how I remember it. I made that film with Alex Restrepo (the director, and the first drummer for Cinema Strange back in 1994). He and I have made many films together and for that documentary, I think we understood each other’s filmmaking instincts and creative goals enough to quickly and easily piece together a slice of Cinema Strange life. Alex and I still work together from time to time, although the latest collaboration was a musical one: he composed the music that Christian and I arranged into the Deadfly Ensemble song “The Adventures of Jonas Mauken”, that was on the latest album.
Nattsol: Well, you mentioned some other films. Could you say a few words about them?
Lanthier: I’ve made a bunch of super-8 films and many, rather ridiculous, video films, some of which I made with Alex Restrepo. I’ve also made a couple with my brother, Nathaniel. I’ve exhibited the super-8 films a couple times, outside of a concert setting. Once in California and once in Montreal. I’d like to set up another exhibition in NYC at some point, when there isn’t so much going on.
Nattsol: Another ‘video question’. As I know, none of your projects has a promo video. Can I ask why it’s so? And do you have a plan to improve it?
Lanthier: Making proper music videos is something that we should have done long ago, but for some reason we could never agree on a production for any of the songs. Besides, Cinema Strange works very slowly. I can fairly confidently assure you that there will eventually be a video, or two, even, before the end of this century.
Nattsol: Cinema Strange keeps silence for a new studio stuff for several years. So when should we expect a new band’s stuff? What will it be? Will there be a ‘Batcavy’ reference, or you’re going to develop the changes what the band had before?
Lanthier: As I’ve said, C.S. has a very sluggish metabolism. Between the second and third albums, four years went by. I’m not sure when the next album will appear, or what will be on it, but we do chat about it from time to time.
Nattsol: Let’s turn to your other project, ‘The Deadfly Ensemble’. Could you tell me the story of its creation, and represent the band in your own words?
Lanthier: The Deadfly Ensemble was me continuing to work when Cinema Strange was sleeping. I had many more ideas than what could be expressed with Cinema Strange. Some things just didn’t fit, or had to be done a little bit differently. Even then, some people tell me that they can’t tell the difference between the two projects. I guess it’s not that important. I love both my children. When we started, the D.E. was just James Powell and I. Now, we are up to five performers and are thinking about taking a sixth person on this upcoming USA west coast tour. Anyhow, it’s good, theatrical musical fun.
Nattsol: What is the lyrics difference between ‘CS’ and ‘DE’?
Lanthier: They are both storytelling, although the music for the Deadfly Ensemble is probably a little bit more like storytelling music, rather than rock songs with story lyrics. The range of subjects is quite vast for both projects. Everything from ghost stories to comedic escapades to tales of brigands, lunatics and petty government officials.
Nattsol: Ok, you made a cover song for ‘The Deadfly Ensemble’ on ‘Kriminaltango’ with Andi Sex Gang. Could you tell me the story of its creation?
Lanthier: Oh, well, we’d been talking about recording something together for a long, long time and finally found an opportunity to do so a couple years ago. Andi was the one who suggested “Kriminaltango”, and it was so fun to work on. And when we were in London some time later, we met the grand-daughter of the song’s composer, both of whom are Italian. She found us online and gave us presents because she thought we did such a great job with her grandfather’s song. That was wonderful. A very nice visit.
Nattsol: In ‘The Deadfly Ensemble’ you express yourself not only as the vocalist, but as the guitar player as well. When did you start studying guitar playing, and what is playing the guitar for you?
Lanthier: I can’t remember when I started playing guitar, exactly, but it was after I had already been playing in Cinema Strange. Before guitar, I usually wrote things on the piano. And James Powell, my Deadfly bassist, gave me my first guitar lessons. The guitar is a lovely instrument, full of mystery.
Nattsol: In your opinion, what’s the difference between the audience of ‘Cinema Strange’ and ‘The Deadfly Ensemble’?
Lanthier: That’s a good question. I’m not entirely sure, although I sometimes think that the Deadfly audience is a little bit more eclectic. It’s maybe more of a broad, alternative following, where Cinema attracts more of a deathrocker crowd. But I don’t know, I see a lot of Mohawks at Deadfly shows, too. Good question.
Nattsol: As I could notice, ‘The Deadfly Ensemble’ has faster metabolism than ‘Cinema Strange’. So what can we expect from this project in the nearest future?
Lanthier: We’re assembling material right now and thinking about a third album. There are a lot of wonderful songs that we’re working on and excited about, and after these west coast shows we’ll probably begin some recording. I’d love to have another record out by early next year.
Nattsol: Now let’s mention other your projects. Let’s start with the most unexpected, in my opinion, Shanghai Triad. Could you tell me its history, first of all?
Lanthier: I played in Shanghai Triad for about two years while living in Montreal. Besides me, playing bass and guitar (and being the recording engineer/producer) there was Shien Lee singing and playing erhu, and Bethany Orr singing and playing accordion. We performed old Chinese jazz and folk songs, all covers. Our arrangements were sometimes quite different from the originals, though.
Nattsol: Shanghai Triad is not too new band, but it doesn’t have official releases. When we’ll be able to see the situation improved?
Lanthier: I’m not sure about that. We only made a very few recordings and they aren’t perfect, by any means. Perhaps the girls will have to decide that.
Nattsol: As I understood, you play guitar and bass guitar for this project. But it’s much more traditional to see contrabass in this kind of music. Why you didn’t choose this instrument?
Lanthier: Very simply put, I didn’t have a contrabass. Anyway, I’m a rock and roller, aren’t I? I take those old songs and give them the post-punk treatment.
Nattsol: What are the songs of Shanghai Triad about?
Lanthier: Well, my understanding of Mandarin and Cantonese is rather limited, but from what little I can gather, they are mostly love songs, many of them sad. Just like western music from that era. I only sang on one song, and it was a new year’s song called “Gong Xi”.
Nattsol: Well, and there’s one more your project which you created with Frank Vollmann of ‘Frank the Baptist’, ‘The Dirty Weather Project’. Could you tell me how you met Frank, how you decided to create the project? What is the music of the project?
Lanthier: Frank and I met when we both lived in California. We’ve been friends for a while, and played shows together with our separate bands all the time. At some point I suggested a show format where we are both on stage and take turns playing our songs. I thought it would be fun. Well, we never had a chance to try it until some years later when he was living in Berlin and I was living in New York City. Frank plays Frank the Baptist tunes, and I play either Deadfly or Cinema Strange songs and we play some songs together. Dirty Weather is more of a concert format than an official musical project.
Nattsol: What is ‘The Dirty Weather Project‘ on stage?
Lanthier: We have only had one tour, so far, and a couple, separate concerts (one at last year’s WGT in Leipzig and one in New York City). For those shows, we did all sorts of things, but drinking rum, whiskey, and beer was a constant factor, as was regaling the crowd with a cappella sea shanties in between normal songs. Oh, and cutlass duels. We had great fun, certainly.
Nattsol: Well, ‘The Dirty Weather Project’ seems to me very whiskey project (the logo, some songs atmosphere etc). And as I could understand, you’re into pipe smoking. I saw some your photos where you smoke meerschaum pipe on the manner of the XVIII century. Looks great. So what are these wonderful bad habits for you?
Lanthier: I don’t think pipe smoking is a terrible habit. I smoke one of my pipes several times a week, perhaps. I think I’ve been a pipe-smoker for about seven or eight years, now. It’s really a warm and ruddy wrap around my soul, that wreath of fragrant smoke! MM! (And whiskey is important, too, I might add…)
Nattsol: What other kinds musical experiments would you like to try?
Lanthier: The things that I am working on now keep me rather satisfied. Between Deadfly and C.S. and Dirty Weather and the occasional solo show, I am doing everything I’d like to be doing, musically. There are many, many more experiments to try within those projects, however. Lots of work to be done! But I don’t need any new projects to frame that work. Not yet, anyway.
Nattsol: And about your other artistic projects. What should we expect from you in the future? May be, a film or a book? Or something else? ;-)
Lanthier: Well! I am often making short films and sometimes acting in them, and I am often writing. Some of my stories are available to buy in ebook format from the official band(s) website, and some of the stories can be read online or in different magazines. I guess the primary thing is that if there are ever any official releases, it will be talked about on the various websites. The official site, the myspace pages, the livejournal groups, the facebook page, and so on.
Nattsol: Ok, you mentioned some places where you lived. According to your words, it seems that you don’t like to stay in one place for a long time. Is that so? Why?
Lanthier: The thing is that I very much like the west coast and I very much like the east coast. I’ve spent about half my life on either coast. I love Los Angeles, San Francisco, Portland… all great west coast towns. And I love Montreal, New York City and the various villages and townships of New England on the East Coast… I can’t spend all my time in just one town, or one country, for that matter, when there are so many interesting people and places to visit.
Nattsol: You seem very eccentric for many people. Well, that’s interesting to know your attitude to social life. I mean politic, religion, family may be and something like that.
And can you say that you live social live?
Lanthier: I am a very anti-social social person. I am constantly visiting with friends and associates in order to demonstrate how one can avoid getting work done and then complain about it. I love saying things like, “Oh, god, not ANOTHER tedious party to go to!” Or, “I would LOVE to finish this blasted novel, but I’ve got an entire weekend full of light entertainments and engagements with beautiful women!” I also quite enjoy being disdainful at everything, scoffing at people’s fashion (especially if I admire it) and instigating cat-fights and royal intrigue. And as a special hobby, I am supremely satisfied with making new acquaintances uncomfortable with awkward and offensive conversation. And when I have time, I perform surreal stand-up comedy under the name Retch Dempsey.
Nattsol: There’s a strange tradition forming in Russia. Once a year a person appears and says that he/she is going to organize a gig of Cinema Strange in Russia. But the idea usually drops. What if once it changes? Would you like to visit Russia and have a gig there?
Lanthier: I’ve noticed this tradition, and fully support it. We just need to incorporate a gift-giving aspect to the whole thing and maybe we can rival Christmas.
Nattsol: Thanks so much for the interview, Lucas. And your final words to me, our readers, terrible angels, giant ants, undrowning fishes and other figments of our imaginations.
Lanthier: Don’t forget to call or write your mothers from time to time. They’re interested in your welfare because you did, after all, come from their bodies, as ridiculous as that sounds. Thanks for the chat!
Questions: Pall ‘Nattsol’ Zarutskiy
“Grave Jibes Fanzine”
