Pick Three with With Lions

1) Scott Walker: 30th Century Man

Each year, there’s probably 5-10 films released that we enjoy, but this documentary is one I can single out for both Woody and I as inspiring. Not only getting a glimpse into this musical legend’s career and reclusive life, but also hearing the impact he’s had on peers on other influential artists. Something that stands out from this film is learning about the dissonant and innovative string arrangements Scott Walker had arranged for himself. That’s something we’ve kept at the forefront of our minds when working on our next EP, which is heavily orchestral.

2) Then We Came To The End by Joshua Ferris

I’ve always been very picky about books being that I’m not an avid reader other than online articles and blogs. While obviously enjoying reading about music history (The Beatles by Bob Spitz being something Woody and I both read simultaneously and have discussed ever since; and Dream Brother: The Lives and Music of Jeff and Tim Buckley by David Browne to name a few), this was a book my wife had suggested to me knowing I would connect with it.

My day job for many years was in the book publishing industry as a copy editor (subconsciously, this may be why I don’t enjoy reading). Working in that corporate environment provided me with every experience mentioned in this fictional story of what typical office life is like: office gossip, elaborate pranks, downsizing, and increasingly frequent coffee breaks. It’s well-written and very entertaining for anyone, but if you’ve ever worked in an office, you’ll certainly relate to it on a whole other level.

3 Any of the “[insert rockstar's name] SHREDS” videos.

My first taste of these hilarious spoofs was when Woody emailed me the one featuring Eddie Van Halen:

Woody said nothing to me other than “watch this.” At first I was appalled that Eddie was playing so horribly and that the audience was applauding it. When I called Woody to share this bafflement, he revealed the truth behind the video and we laughed hard for a good 10 minutes. Ever since, I’ve been a huge fan of everyone of these “SHREDS” videos made. A new favorite is the Kings of Leon one.

Christian Celaya (Benzos) and Woody Ranere (Lake Trout) make up the group known as WITH LIONS and November 1st marked the kick-off of an ambitious four-EPs-a-year cycle with the release of Touch the Sound. The massive lifting energy of Touch the Sound channels the rhythms and progressions of Phil Spector‘s early-60s pop with the driving fuzz of Creation Records’ late-80s British alternative rock.