Interview With The Virgins via LOOKBOOK.nu

When Rich Girls came out there was not a person out there that didn’t have that song stuck in their head. My professors had it on their iPods, the kids I worked with were singing it, and lyrics were on at least a third of my friends Facebook status updates. While everyone was waiting for The Strokes to come back The Virgins took over and became THE example of New York rock and roll. With catchy hooks and a sound and attitude that led back to their influences from 70’s clubs like CBGB and Max’s Kansas City. Their self titled album has been critically acclaimed and their live shows have gathered a large following. With such a great fan base I wanted to open up the chance to have their fans ask some questions so I teamed up with the culturally defining site LOOKBOOK.nu to let their community conduct the interview. Music and fashion have always gone hand in hand and is a large part of what Letter to Jane is all about. I’d like to thank Nick Ackerman from The Virgins and Andy and Yuri at LOOKBOOK.nu for helping make a great contribution to our ongoing Artist Interview Series.

If you could meet anyone in the world dead or alive who would it be and what would say to them? – Sasha S.

Wow, so many people. Maybe Van Gogh or James Jamerson or someone else who died unknown and penniless just to tell them how important to the world they’ve become. Or maybe Cleopatra or Helen of Troy to see if I (a modern man) would find them as beautiful as they we’ve mythologized them to be.

What bands, past or present, are strong influences or give great inspiration to the music you all make together? – Chris F.

We love so many bands and listen to so much music but the main picks would be: The Rolling Stones, The Faces, Neil Young, Chuck Berry, The New York Dolls, David Bowie, and The Wu-Tang Clan. All the basics really.

Do you think music can be used to create and effect wider social change? Are all of the genres and styles of music that branched off from each other in the 20th century making a reunification in sounds, and a fusion of different types of music? Are the Virgins a part of this? – Ellis D.

Can music make a difference? Sure. Of course a human thought or a human idea has the potential to make people see the world differently and therefore initiate social change blah blah blah, whether its in a speech, a law, or a song. Although it occurring in music in any substantial way is an extremely rare phenomenon. It’s happened with Robert Johnson, Elvis, Dylan, The Sex Pistols, Grandmaster Flash and Mellie Mel and that’s about it.

And, Yes I do feel that in 2009 genres are less defined and more fluid than ever before; which is great. Its exciting to see people blending Motown with electronica or Folk music with punk rock. We definitely enjoyed a lot of genre mixing on this first record.

What has been your favorite concert you’ve given so far? – Veronica G.

We’ve been very lucky to be given the opportunity to play some crazy and amazing shows. But I think our favorite will always be a benefit concert we played for the saint mark’s church which is on the block we live. The whole city turned up and it was like a mini festival in the courtyard and then us and a bunch of our friend’s bands played in the church and it was mayhem. I remember being up there and literally thinking “this is the most fun I’ve ever had in my life.”

Does image play an important role in your band & do you believe your style should be just as relevant as your music? – Bombs

Style is a obviously a huge part of rock and roll but to us, writing good songs is our job; that’s why we’re a band. After being “in public” for a couple of years now we’ve learned that we have very little control over our “image.” Listeners, the press, bloggers, and promoters basically decide who we “really are” and we don’t have the time or the inclination to go around correcting misconceptions. So I guess the answer to that question is no.

In your song Fernando Pando, the lyrics say “kids I used to know that died now they’re not around I wonder what they think of life when they’re looking down.” Was there any personal inspiration for this beautiful lyric and what do you actually think they would gather from the lives we lead now? Do you think they would feel ashamed or proud of our generation? – Bethany G.

Well all three of us have lost young friends. Its something that is very hard to wrap your brain around: that this interesting, pretty girl or this amazing energetic guy that you loved has just vanished. In my opinion, when Donald asks “I wonder what they think of life when they’re looking down” it’s less of a literal question and more of a fantasy of his that they actually are “up there looking down” instead of just simply gone. The real question I think he’s asking is “what the hell happened to my friends? Where are they?”

Aside from music, do you have any other creative talents? If so, do you feel that your other interests help you to make better music? – Ella W.

I don’t know about other talents but certainly other interests. We all love visual art and novels and movies and I think that plays a huge part in who we are and the music we make.

What comes first for you, music or lyrics? How much input does each member of the band have when writing? – Sandy R.

We don’t really have a set song-writing formula. Songs will come from a riff one of us has come up with or a concept or a lyric or a jam. But Donald writes all of the lyrics. He keeps a notebook that he’s always writing in. Once we have something interesting musically he’ll then provide the lyrics.

If you could only listen to one song, watch one movie, and eat one dish of food for the rest of your life, what would you choose? – Janny P.

Ugh. That’s an impossible question to answer. You’d get sick do death of any choice. So I guess I’ll say Days of Heaven for my movie; The Night They Drove Old Dixie Down by The Band, and an amazing Cheeseburger.

How did you decide on the name ‘The Virgins’? – Elsa F.

We wanted a very simple name that was fun and ambiguous.

(The Virgins are a rock band from NYC, you can find more out about them at their website)

Listen:

The Virgins – Rich Girls

The Virgins – Private Affair