Interview: Empress Of
15 Apr 2013 — Parker Bruce
Having just released her new EP Systems on Terrible Records/Double Denim last week, Empress Of aka Lorely Rodriguez took a literal roadside break en route to her next California show to chat with us about a few things or two, talking about her inaugural SXSW experience amongst other things - such as the motivation her musical peers give her. Empress Of is currently on tour with Jamie Lidell. Tonje Thilesen snapped a few photos of her after her show at Bardot in Hollywood.
Read the interview after the break.
What was your SXSW experience like?
It was [my] first SXSW so it was pretty hectic. I didn’t really know what to expect but I think the coolest part about being at SXSW was meeting all the other bands, making friends with them and watching them do what they do.
What bands did you meet that you were super psyched to see?
I was really stoked to see S O H N. I actually met him and had no idea what his music sounded like and then we were just chatting it up and then he was like ‘Yo, you should come see my set tomorrow at four,” and I was like ‘Okay.’
You just played a show in LA. Was that kind of like a homecoming show of sorts?
Yeah, I’ve never played in LA before [even though] I grew up there, so that was awesome. My mom came. We were opening for Jamie Lidell and it was so packed. [The] LA crowd is really good; very receptive.
What’s the difference from the Brooklyn vs. LA crowd?
(laughs) Well, I don’t know. I guess in New York it’s different because I live there so when I play, a lot of my friends would come out, so it was just like meeting a bunch of new people and seeing how they react to the music. I think they were into it. It’s cool to play music to people who aren’t really familiar with it, because most of them are there to see Jamie Lidell.
This all has happened really fast for you, almost like a flurry of excitement. What has that been like?
I put out Color Minutes as kind of an introduction, [and] things have happened really fast. Mostly it’s just [about] making the right decisions. I like living in New York just going to shows all the time and being surrounded by people. Just like the Chairlift guys or Twin Sister, I feel really motivated because I see these bands making amazing music and playing great shows. I feel like I’m on a highway. I am on a highway right now.
Literally or figuratively?
I feel like I’m on a highway and I’m moving really fast so hopefully the momentum keeps up.
Some of your music reminds me of these epic, swaying ballads from the 80s. Is that an influence?
Yeah I’m definitely influenced by the 80s. I was listening obsessively to Julee Cruise for a while. She sung a lot of the Twin Peaks soundtrack. And her music is kind of like really sentimental, slow, feminine, emotional. It’s definitely a vibe with Empress Of, but it’s not the whole thing. It’s not the whole sound that I’m going for but with the couple of songs that I’ve put out, I definitely channel the emotional, feminine aspect of that. (...) I’ve been fortunate enough to have Patrick from Chairlift mix my EP. His influence is on the record definitely with how he hears things and I totally stand by them. I think they’re amazing artists.
I was listening to "Don't Tell Me" and it sounded like Sinead O’Connor, like “Nothing Compares 2 U”. Would you describe your music as 'feminist'?
It’s not feminist. It’s feminine. I like the quality of describing something as feminine…That’s how I hear it. The ballad “Don’t Tell Me” kind of embodies that.
I see a sentimentality aspect since you're stuck with a feeling of being vulnerable; it kind of makes me feel nostalgic in a way. Is that something you identify with?
'Vulnerability' is a good way to describe how I feel about my live set right now. I’m just figuring it out as we’re playing, and I feel like being really vulnerable on stage is a good thing because I don’t know what I’m gonna do the next minute. Am I gonna cry? Am I gonna rip my hair out? (laughs) I don’t know.
How did you get involved with Terrible Records?
Ethan Silverman [founder of Terrible Records, ed.] came out to one of my shows. Then Chris Taylor [co-founder] found my music online and texted Ethan, telling him to come to my show, and Ethan replied that he was already going. I met him and I was like, 'Double Denim’s gonna release my EP in London'; [so] we started discussing about putting it out in the US too. They've been really awesome to work with, and I love all the artists that are on their label. Chairlift is on [Terrible Records] as well as Solange, Twin Shadow and Blood Orange.
In a way, do you feel that you're all are kind of working within the same aesthetic?
Maybe. I feel like [Terrible Records] was a starting point and then [the artists] kind of developed their sonic identity; their sound. This EP that I’m putting out is kind of on the path to where I’m going. I’m just going to keep on developing.
Are you working on your full-length now?
I haven’t started working on it yet. I’ve written one or two songs that are definitely gonna be on there; we’re just playing them live right now. But I haven’t started recording anything yet. I think I’m going to do that when I come back from tour.