Published:
January 27, 2010
Neon Indian's "Psychic Chasms" was one of THE buzz-worthy albums of 2009. Recorded during bouts of loneliness in Austin and released as a side project, it made Alan Palomo an indie media darling and a Pitchfork poster child. The former Ghosthustler wunderkind was busy packing for his upcoming move to Brooklyn, but he took time to speak to MyDentonMusic about his influences, NX35, and his upcoming projects. He returns to his old stomping grounds on January 30th at Haileys for Spunes 2k10 Winter Dance Party.
MyDentonMusic: How did you discover music growing up?
Alan Palomo: I've always absorbed music passively because my father and brother played music. I was always around for it. I liked it, but I've always pursued film. That's where my heart was. But as I got into high school, I heard The Avalanches "Since I Met You" and bands like Bad Gadget or Casiotone for the Painfully Alone, and I learned that music was something you can do on your own; you don't need the whole studio thing.
I remember buying a Casio Rapman and a bunch of pedals and just playing around with those endlessly, figuring it all out. I guess college was really where it happened, meeting people who were into sounds and music and production. And then Ghosthustler became this weird bootcamp learning about music...at that point I was hooked on music, but I wanted to do it all on my own.
MDM: And it was always more electronic music? Nothing with more traditional instrumentation?
AP: Well, my first instrument was guitar, but it was like picking up a guitar just to learn something. I didn't keep it up, but it served as a good template. Always been infatuated with malleability of electronic music and soundscapes. I went through phases like anyone, like the big Alternative thing in the early 1990's, but being able to work in that [electronic] framework and having all those sounds that are up for personalizing and recreating is what I'm after. I think I'll move into more guitar for future Neon Indian releases, but keyboards really call to me. Really, I can't listen to too much acoustic music, unless it comes from a special place. And that's not to say one thing is better than the other, but just where I'm at.
I had a eureka moment with Bizarre Love Triangle, and I've listened to it since I was a kid, but I've always been haunted by that song. It fueled this infatuation by being a backdrop to my upbringing. Revisiting it as an adult, it was a definitive song for that particular feeling, and it got me into synth-pop. It made sense of the things I grew up around, like hearing music from a Sega Genesis game. Those sounds from my childhood resemble actual bands like Yellow Music Orchestra!
MDM: You left Ghosthustler to start Vega, but then Neon Indian took off. Are there still plans for the Vega project?
AP: Funny you should say that. In the first half...no, the first quarter of this year I have to write the new Vega album. I have every intention of continuing with Vega and seeing it come to fruition. But, I have to keep things fresh, so I'm all over the place. So, before next Neon Indian release, I need to pump the breaks a little and develop Vega. You know, so far it's only 5 songs on an old EP. And the objective is to out it out on Fool's Gold. I can't say who will produce or anything, but I imagine some of the Fool's Gold people will pop up on there.
MDM: Why did you leave Denton to move to Austin?
AP: I was looking for change of scenery. There was no context of which one was better. I feel like my stomping grounds will always be in Denton, but the decision to move was motivated by academic life. I really wanted to attend film school at UT. After Ghosthustler, I wanting to do some self analysis and what I want to do next musically. I wanted to find a new sound and reach out to different people in Texas who are into electronic music. But, Austin just feels like another place I've lived, although they claim Neon Indian. I've just moved around so much. And most of my friends are in Denton so and I love hanging out here. Then I was in NY for a couple months working on Vega, and the Neon Indian just happened. It came out of feeling alienated in Austin, but here was no clear musical objective to it.
MDM: Besides the Spune show at Hailey's, you'll also be playing NX35. What do you think of Denton having its own festival?
AP: It's fucking awesome! I know all my friends are tremendously excited. There's a reason why Denton is more than a college town. So many great bands that I love come through there, and it's great to see that. I was stoked they even offered it to me. At first, I didn't know if I could do it. I'll be in Canada until the day before my set, and I wasn't sure I could make it. But, I'm glad to play home turf. My last show was in Denton was at Rubber Gloves, and I've played, like, 50 shows since then. Those earlier shows were rough, so this is a chance for me to redeem myself. Even if it's a work in progress, it'll be in front of people I trust. I can show them where the live show has gone.
MDM: You've mentioned your affection for Denton, and all your friends here; do you feel a sense of community here?
AP: Yeah, it's not nearly as transient. I developed some abilities here and got to know interesting people I drew stuff from.
MDM: Do you think an event like NX35, bringing in outside acts and all the extra press and attention, helps the community or threatens it?
AP: Oh, I think it's great. Denton seems so specific. A lot of people that run through town from other places, and you're introduced to it through friends. It's a natural homey, communal feeling. Bringing in outside music won't tarnish it. There's really amazing people here, and if anything it gives others a chance to spend time here that might not otherwise.
MDM: Did the success of Psychic Chasms surprise you?
AP: Yeah, the success took me by surprise. It was the project I put the least amount of planning into, but that got the most attention. It's crazy how people responded in that way. It was just a creative exercise, really. There wasn't the production tediums of Vega, so it was all about songwriting. That, and spending only 2 days on each song not to convolute the project.
MDM: So, after the Vega project is done, when will there be new Neon Indian material?
AP: Probably late Summer, but there will probably be some singles, and I might do an EP before that. You can expect Neon Indian content to be popping up, but there will be a 3-4 month period where Vega takes precedence.
