Since 1996, Loquat has been evolving into an unlikely hybrid: Mixing traditional instrumentation with electronic sounds, they've managed to not only hold on to their humanity, but have also found a unique sound that is, as the cliche goes, more than the sum of its parts. So what does a band do when it's got the balancing act down pat? Eric Becker talks to Kylee Swenson (guitar, vocals), Earl Otsuka (guitar), Christopher Lautz (drums, vocals), Ryan Manley (keyboards) and Anthony Gordon (bass) about feelings, flugelhorns, and the future.

Q: What was the first music you remember hating initially, but later came to love?

Earl: [without hesitation] Violent Femmes.

 

Earl: Kinda like a horoscope, in that anyone can read themselves into the meaning.

Q: Do you prefer playing live or recording?

Anthony: Playing live.

Kylee: I prefer sitting on my ass and directing people! But seriously, some days it's one or the other.

Q: What pulls you to or away from each?

Kylee: Some days you just feel better at one than the other, which works 'cause it keeps them competing, constantly trying to make each better. It can be painful, too.

Ryan: Playing music is just about getting a certain feeling sometimes. Live, you definitely get the approval, the crowd - you see 'em get into it. But when you make a studio breakthrough on part of a song, that's also a different feeling. There's bullshit and not-fun stuff in both, but for me it's just about chasing that feeling.

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