THE WOOD : Rilo Kiley - Interview
Spring 2002

Interview by Alex Bleeker

Because of the recent extreme decline in the amount of decent pop music that is heard on the radio today, listeners searching for that more intelligent, yet wonderfully light-hearted pop sound have had to look a little bit harder.  Rilo Kiley, a relatively new band based in Pasadena, Ca., craft exactly the whimsically sweet music those engaged in the hunt are looking for. Naturally, when I had the opportunity to chat with Rilo Kiley front-woman Jenny Lewis, I jumped at it. Jenny Lewis was one of the most genuine individuals I have ever spoken with. Her kind girlish charm was a true representation of her band, and the type of music that they play.

The Wood: Hi Jenny, thanks for your time. Can you give me a brief history of the band? How did you guys start playing together?

Jenny Lewis: Well, Blake and I started writing songs together 6 or 7 years ago and shortly thereafter we talked about putting a band together. Blake had gone to high school with our bass player, Duke. We found a drummer, and started playing shows.

TW: You just started playing shows very easily?

JL:  Yeah, actually our very first show ever was opening for our friend’s band…and then from there we just began playing regularly.

TW: You mentioned Blake Sennet of Nickelodeon Fame [he played Pinsky in Salute Your Shorts], does that have an effect on the band or the fans at all?

JL: Well, certainly everyone has a unique and interesting history, and I personally don’t think about it very often. I just like to write songs and play music.

TW: What are some of the bands major influences? What were you listening to in High School as opposed to what you are listening to now?

JL: It’s been pretty consistent, with the exception of listening to hip-hop exclusively in the 10th grade. The first concert I ever went to was The Cure and The Pixies. I think The Cure was my favorite band in Jr. High School, and that’s sort of when I started writing songs.

TW: So it has pretty much been the alternative scene since then?

JL: Yeah, mostly rock music, but not necessarily alternative. I loved Neil Young growing up.

TW: Rilo Kiley has seemed to be classified as a Twee or Indie Pop band. Do you have any feelings about that label that you have been given?

JL: We play the music that inspires us. Obviously people are going to scramble to find some sort of category to put us into, and if it’s indie pop that’s fine with me.

TW: You guys are pretty much recording your new album as we speak, am I correct?

JL: Yeah, you can probably hear the guitar. We’re in Lincoln, Nebraska.

TW: Is there a new sound that you are trying to put together for this record? Is it going to be similar to Takeoffs and Landings?

JL: Well, Takeoffs and Landings was recorded at home. We recorded it ourselves, so the fidelity isn’t necessarily what we ultimately want. So now we are here working with Mike, and he’s obviously going to bring a little bit of his knowledge and musical history. I think we’re making more of a rockin’ album. We didn’t set out to do that, but that’s what’s shaping up.

TW: Sounds great. Your original release was a self-titled debut, and it isn’t being distributed by anyone now. Do you have any plans for that?

JL: That was another demo recorded at home, and it was never really intended for release. We started selling it at shows, and I guess we consider it to be our EP…but right now we are just mainly focused on this new record.

TW: Who is your favorite cartoon character?

JL: Well, when I was growing up I loved Tom and Jerry. Jerry specifically, but lately I’ve been watching this show called Sponge bob Square Pants…and oh man….Squidworth…what a great character.

TW: Well…obviously you are a female in the whole rock and roll scene, playing with a lot of primarily male bands. Has that presented any sort of problem for you or the group?

JL: Actually, no. I just like music, and if it’s male music, female music, I don’t really care. We are just fortunate to be able to play with bands that we love. We go to their shows and collect their set lists. You know, playing with Pedro The Lion or Death Cab for Cutie…we love these bands and feel honored to play with them.

TW: Speaking of which, who would be your ideal band to tour with?

JL: That’s a good question. I think I would love to do some shows with Pinback. Who else? ELO [The Electric Light Orchestra]. Sparklehorse would be awesome as well.

TW: You play several instruments in the band…Bass, Guitar, and Keyboards. Do you have a preference as to which one you play?

JL: No, not really I’m not the best guitar or bass player, but I love both.

TW: What was your original instrument?

JL: Piano, but then I got a guitar for my 15^th birthday…and I learned how to play desperado (laughs)….I actually still have that guitar.

TW: What’s your favorite Kevin Smith movie?

JL: Clerks, that’s definitely the best one.

TW: That’s pretty much it, when is the album due?

JL: We are hoping for a July release, and a tour in May.

TW: One more question…would you like to marry me?

JL: Oh, well I think we would have to have dinner or something first (laughs)