Yves Klein Blue

Wed 2nd Dec, 2009 in Features

This Sunday 6th December New York will be coming to Melbourne when The Boroughs takes over the Docklands. The Boroughs’ brings together visual artists, bootlegger bars, skaters and thrift stores with bands and DJ’s such as Bertie Blackman, Miami Horror, Yves Klein Blue, Hot Little Hands, Bachelor of Arts, Frowning Clouds, Wilfred Jackal and The Hello Morning

In the lead-up to the event we sit down with Michael from Yves Klein Blue to discover what kind of New York attitude the lads will be bringing with them this weekend.

You’re playing at The Falls/Sunset Sounds/Southbound music festivals this summer over the New Years period; do you feel the live show is in pretty good shape?

You bet it is, we’ve just come back from touring the UK with Reverend and The Makers and we’re fighting fit so to speak. Still we’re not leaving anything to chance, we’re spending the next few days in an intensive training camp with Mickey chasing chickens and eating thick pieces of wood and metal.

What can fans expect from you guys in 2010?

We’re planning to tour extensively again all over this great land and abroad but I can’t say definitively because the powers that be would chop my nuts off. We’ve also been writing a lot – perhaps another album will be underway. It’s all hearsay and conjecture. Speculation is an idle pursuit.

You’re celebrating all that is New York City with – œThe Boroughs’ in Melbourne alongside the likes of Bertie Blackman and Miami Horror. What sort of show will you be bringing to the celebration of NYC music and culture?

We’ll bring ourselves and maybe a little something extra – does this mean a special jam or that Charles will wear a fetching scarf? I suppose when such and such said “You can’t beat two guitars bass and drums” he didn’t mention a scarf. What does this mean for those of us who are left behind? We’ll find out.

Is there a particular artist or band that stems from New York that has influenced your music?

Yes most certainly. We were in New York earlier this year and every time I go there it knocks me out. Go past Lexington Avenue and think of “Waiting for My Man”. We (especially Charles and I) grew up on New York music – when I was 15 I picked out a CD from my Father’s record collection because it had a woman’s behind (ass or bum) on the cover – it was TVU live in Texas. This record lived in my CD player for 4 years. Am I painting a clear enough picture? I’m a tragic. I need help.

If you guys were to hit up NYC tomorrow, what would be the first item on the exploration agenda?

We’d go to Katz’s Deli for pastrami on rye and check out what was happening in Greenwich Village, seeing as that’s mostly where we hang out when we’re there. Not because we’re cool, just because it’s all we know.

What would be on your ideal summer mix-tape?

The Temptations and Jackson Five and Husker Du.

Aside from Michael seeing Boy George in the UK, what have been some of the stand-out moments for the band throughout 2009?

That was a big moment – I’m chained to the heater as I type and I can hear him approaching with the crowbar so I’ll have to be brief.

This year has been a big year – you’ll make me all misty eyed remembering. We finished our first full length record and released it and that was enormous. Then there was the tour – all the full rooms and the people who knew the words, even the day it came out. That was nuts. We’ve toured the UK twice this year, most recently with the Revs and the US once. Hanging out in the Strokes bar in New York City might have been the best night out. Our months in London were wonderful, and being invited along to an underground club to jam in Sheffield at Club 60. But I’ve got to say the sing along during “Getting Wise” at Splendour probably takes the cake.

You can get your New Yorker on with Yves Klen Blue at The Boroughs Sunday 6th December – Shed 4, Docklands.

You can get your hands on tickets for The Boroughs here.