Music

Interview: Kyp Malone Of Tv On The Radio

By Keith J. Varadi

TV on the Radio is one of the hippest bands in music today. Tight with bands like the Yeah Yeah Yeahs, they go to all the cool parties, they are up on what's fashionable, and, most importantly, they've crafted their own unique sound to set them apart from the rest of all the other chic indie-dance bands emerging in today's music scene. Guitarist and singer, Kyp Malone, took time out of his busy partying schedule to do a little Q&A.

Deek: You joined the band after the Young Liars EP. Did you get hazed?

Kyp: Yeah, I joined after that record, but I was asked to play before. They played me the record and I was way into it. Then I joined.

Deek: What were you doing before you were in the band?

Kyp: I got the call that the EP was going to be put out on Touch and Go and that they wanted us to release a full-length while I was working in this café in Brooklyn . I had been playing and recording with a bunch of bands too. I still play and record with them, just less - obviously.

Deek: What do you do outside of the band?

Kyp: Well, I quit my job to see what could happen with this. It really seems worth it to me, regardless of finances. This has been a really fulfilling experience and with more ahead.

Deek: Well, your full-length debut, Desperate Youth, Blood Thirsty Babes, has received countless praise and was recently named a finalist for the Shortlist Music Prize. What are your thoughts on all the success?

Kyp: Yeah, well... I don't know. I'm not really even sure what that award is, but I have a lot of friends who do and they tell me it's a big thing, so I'm excited. I just think it's great people are into what we do.

Deek: If you guys don't win, who deserves the award?

Kyp: I don't remember anyone else who was on the list but Devandra Banhart. He's so young and so extremely talented and has already released so much great work. And he has no bending to what's popular or what will make him money. His shit is great.

Deek: I don't remember him being on the list.

Kyp: Shit.

Deek: You guys get to open for the Pixies on their upcoming hyped-up tour. How rad is it to be opening for such legends?

Kyp: We're still on tour, so I'm not really thinking about it much right now. But they were one of the bands who made me care about music. I don't know how to feel about it since I never expected it. I'm just gonna practice real hard .

Deek: You guys are also doubling up with The Faint for a tour this fall. What can people expect from two of today's most talked about bands?

Kyp: Nothing I can really talk about. Maybe some sitar. One of our engineers on the album plays a sitar. I haven't really talked to him about it yet though. If Bush wins the election, the set may be replaced by acts of civil disobedience.

Deek: Will the band start to spend more on staging as you make more money or do you think you will continue to just concentrate on performing?

Kyp: I've seen some very impressive lighting shows before, but who cares? It's not important. Perhaps it will come into play at some point since everyone in the band has other talents and interests. But we have a tricky enough time getting things to sound the way we want for us to bother with shit like that. If it enhances the experience though, I'm for it.

Deek: What do you spend your money on?

Kyp: I'd probably buy a giant machine that sprays liquid acid onto the crowd so that they have a memorable experience and don't have to worry about lighting. We could just use aluminum foil and a lighter.