Solid Gold: "Life can be extremely influential."
Hailing from the home of Prince, Minneapolis trio Solid Gold make psychedelic downbeat dance music, melancholic synth-pop and kaleidoscopic club tracks. They’ve already been tipped as the band to watch for 2009 from various music moguls at this year’s SXSW music conference and coupled with a name like Solid Gold – “it chose us” – they’re definitely on to something. Singer Zach Coulter is unfazed. “We have learned not to expect too much from this industry,” he says over email. “We just want to continue creating our art and enjoying ourselves whilst we do.” That’s fair enough by us.
Balancing pop immediacy with morose undertones, there’s something undeniably refreshing about their sound that sets them apart from the current glut of electro-indie bands. Recent single ‘Get Over It’, for example, drips in twinkling Minneapolis funkiness. Think Hot Chip in bed with Fleetwood Mac and you’re halfway there. “We have no end to our influences,” admits Zach. “Life in general can be extremely influential though, don’t you think?”
Don’t just take Solid Gold’s music at face value either, there’s so much more going on behind the scenes. Song subject matters range from lover’s revenge to arson, all wrapped up in irresistible melody. They also put their personal stamp on everything from making their own art to screen printing their own t-shirts. Not to mention looking after the A – Z of their live shows from lighting to stage production. Keeping busy then? “Being in a band should be fun and exciting,” says Zach. “Although our subject matter may be heavy and sometimes depressing, we don’t want to live our lives like that.”
So what’s next? New single ‘Bible Thumper’ – out now – bursts with swirling synths, glitchy breakdowns and haunting melody. Then there’s debut album Bodies Of Water due out later this summer. Recording the album on a budget of next to nothing – the only way to do it in the noughties it seems – the band spent their time holed up in cabins, basements and farms getting the job done. So where is their music best suited for? “Bedrooms.” We think their hometown neighbour would approve.
Solid Gold play our next Dummy party on Friday 10 July.
Want more pop with substance? Check out our interview with fab French four Phoenix.
