Lanterns.


SDP: So what’s up with the period at the end of the name (lanterns.)?

Lowell Heflin (Lanterns.): We are fucking Lanterns. (period)

Can we can a little background on the band?  When you formed, previous projects (if any), what your goals are, etc.?

Lanterns. came into existence sometime in early January, 2006.  All of us at some point had previously served time in the band Panic in the Streets, and after Panic had dissolved we took the opportunity to start over again with new songs and new vision.... Something that was more representative of us as individuals in both sound and substance.

How would you describe your sound and what type of music fans do you think it appeals to?

 Lanterns

Our music is what it is.  It comes from a real honest place; it isn’t deliberate or tailored to appeal to any genre, trend or demographic and I think that  people can see that in the songs and in our live performances.  I’m not sure you can paint the fans of our music into any boxes, just like you can’t paint our band in one either...

How has the response been to your split with This Flood Covers the Earth?  Is it your first official release?
 
We just got home from a 2 month tour across the United States with a few dates in Canada and Mexico in support of the split and the response has been very positive!

Are there any message you try to get across or a feeling you want listeners to be left with after hearing your music?

Everyone is free to interpret it how they want, but I personally think of each song as an act of defiance, a call to love, a call to do something whatever it is... That’s why we love to play live… It is real visceral and sincere...

Lanterns

 How’d you guys get hooked up with History Major Records?  It seems odd a new San Diego band would be putting stuff out on a Boston based label…

It had something to do with a Sunny Day Real Estate blog, web lurking, and Charlie from This Flood Covers the Earth... We didn’t actually meet Jerry (who runs the label) until we played a
show they set up for us after the split was released in Boston.
 
Are there any plans for a full-length coming up?

Well, we have a 7” our friend Eric at DOOD! Records is putting out in the spring... We start recording that in December with Alex Newport. We are also looking to have release an e.p. shortly after right before summer.

What’s your take on the current San Diego music scene?  What’s good about and what needs improvement?

We don’t feel a real sense of community or camaraderie among bands, and fans. We all need to participate and own our scene... It just seems like there is a general sense of apathy... But it is definitely getting better and hopefully we can be included in that positive change.

What else is coming up for the band?

Lots and Lots of touring next year... That and hopscotch. I guess everyone is just going to have wait and see.

Anything else you’d like to add?

We hope Rivers Cuomo is on the next season of Dancing with the Stars

 Lanterns

Thanks!

mp3s: http://www.myspace.com/wearelanterns
Photos: Jason Benito
Interview conducted via e-mail, October 2006 by Joel Scheingross.

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