Saw*Kick Media

If there was ever a band that felt compelled to create lush soundscapes that tickled your ear like a cool nights breeze, it is As Tall As Lions. The New York quartet have made a name for itself across the states for its emotionally driven music and awe-inspiring live set. The bands unique blend of ambient tones and indie rock have lead them to a spot on last years Alternative Press tour, along with a performance on Jimmy Kimmel Live. We nabbed lead vocalist and guitarist Dan Nigro to talk about the bands new album, Cliff and Julio’s drum and bass love child, and closed minded Warped Tour fans.

S*KM: It is rumored you guys are hard at work on a new album, what kind of details can you tell us about it so far? Do you have a producer lined up yet?

ATAL: The producer part I can’t tell you yet, but the album will be called “You Can’t Take It With You” and it should be out in March of 2009 if all goes according to plan.

S*KM: Here at Saw*Kick we have dubbed 2008 the year of live music, believe it or not in large part due to ATAL. The mantra came to fruition after I saw you open for Silverchair at the House of Blues in Cleveland. I was blown away with the wall of sound produced by your live set. What is your take on the difference in medium between live and recorded music?

ATAL: Well to me it’s important for an artist to realize that there is a huge difference between a live concert and a record. There are things to both of the mediums that cannot be had with the other. For us, we love to layer things in the studio, it’s something that we know we cannot do live but when we play live we are able to create something with only 5 instruments that we can’t create with 20 in the studio…..There’s an art to both and just knowing that they are different things makes it easy not to compare one to the other and just have the most fun you can with both.

S*KM: You guys have been playing together since high school, is there a different kind of chemistry between you that could not be reproduced otherwise?

ATAL: There’s a lot of history that goes into playing as a band every time we play. I think we know each other better than our families know us. For better and for worse. Haha.

S*KM: Julio and Cliff have an excellent bass and drum connection, did you strap them together with an elastic child wrist band to help develop that close bond, or possibly they shared a womb together in another life time?

ATAL: Yes, we actually locked them in a room during the summer of 2005 for three weeks. They have a son now…Clulio.

S*KM: With the blogosphere expanding exponentially each minute do you pay attention to any of the critics, or do you try and steer clear of all that?

ATAL: I try to stay away from the blogs as much as possible. But when I do read them, I always find what people are saying (good or bad) to be at least partly true. You have to take it all with a light heart though.

S*KM: What is the one cliché interview question you cringe when thinking about having to answer? Or did I already ask it?

ATAL: The what are your influences question. Not that I’m ashamed of them in any way, but critics always judge bands based on their influences and that doesn’t sit well with me.

S*KM: In an interview you did in April of 2007 with AbsolutePunk.com you said people would come to your merchandise table on the warped tour looking to buy your album and say “Oh wait, you guys don’t scream in your songs” what do you think that says about the mentality of today’s music fans, or at least Warp Tour fans? Is that something that upsets you or do you try and shrug it off?

ATAL: It used to upset me, but I realize at that point I’m just being judgmental on other people’s taste in music.

S*KM: Time to let your hair down, what are some preferred ATAL recreational activities?

ATAL: For me, reading, watching too many movies, and drinking Blue Moon at various classy bars around Massapequa.

S*KM: Say you won a contest held by the “Classic Albums” series that allowed you to attend the recording process for any album in the history of Rock and Roll, which would it be?

ATAL: Honestly, I would have to say the White Album. I would like to see George Martin at work.

S*KM: This is for all your fans out their, what was the most rewarding moment for the band in terms of a fan showing their appreciation for your music?

ATAL: I don’t know if there has been a single defining thing. Seeing people do covers of our songs on You Tube is a pretty surreal experience in an of itself.

S*KM: We would like to thank you guys for taking the time to talk to us, as a reward for your generosity I would like to give you a little face time to inform the people of any up and coming ATAL news and events.

ATAL: Just keep checking our websites for updates on the new album. It’ll be out early next year. We promise.

You can check out As Tall As Lions for yourself at www.myspace.com/astallaslions, the band has no upcoming shows scheduled due to its recording preparations for its new album.

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