Spring Break
Kirkland crystallizes story of Method
by Wei Huan Chen
Staff Writer
Arts | 4/28/09
Posted online at 11:18 PM EST on 4/27/09
Electronic music duo The Crystal Method is coming out with a new album, and it's about time. Five years after the release of their Grammy-nominated Legion of Boom, Ken Jordan and Scott Kirkland are back for a nationwide tour to promote their fourth studio album, Divided by Night. JustArts was lucky enough to nab an interview with Kirkland last week, who gave insight into the band's recording process, an upcoming tour and being an electronic musician.
JustArts: Tell me about your new album, Divided by Night. What was it like recording with artists like Peter Hook and Matisyahu?
Scott Kirkland: Divided by Night was definitely the most collaboration we've had for an album. But it was great having different perspectives and angles for each song, because every artist brought a little something new. We enjoyed going over to New York to record with Matisyahu, who was working on his own album at that time.
JA: Your last album, Legion of Boom, was nominated for a Grammy. Is there pressure for another nomination for this new album?
SK: I wouldn't say there's pressure to duplicate success, although I'd obviously like to see it again. Legion of Boom's success in terms of reception and sales was amazing, and if it happens with the new album, that's great, but for the most part, all we do is just try to make music that we're into.
JA: Tell me about this tour you're kicking off in the House of Blues in Boston. How do you feel getting back on tour after five years?
SK: I'm really looking forward to getting the crew together and doing the big tour. It's going to be a lot of fun. Actually, we were just in Boston not long ago doing a DJ set. We love Boston. It's a great town, and it'll be very exciting to be back. I'm really hoping the Red Sox will be playing there so I can catch a game.
JA: Hopefully, lots of college students will be there. Would you say they are your target audience?
SK: From the beginning, we did have a younger group of fans, but I wouldn't say it's all college students. There's always lots of different variety. It's been a good cross section of listeners, which I think is great.
JustArts: Tell me about your new album, Divided by Night. What was it like recording with artists like Peter Hook and Matisyahu?
Scott Kirkland: Divided by Night was definitely the most collaboration we've had for an album. But it was great having different perspectives and angles for each song, because every artist brought a little something new. We enjoyed going over to New York to record with Matisyahu, who was working on his own album at that time.
JA: Your last album, Legion of Boom, was nominated for a Grammy. Is there pressure for another nomination for this new album?
SK: I wouldn't say there's pressure to duplicate success, although I'd obviously like to see it again. Legion of Boom's success in terms of reception and sales was amazing, and if it happens with the new album, that's great, but for the most part, all we do is just try to make music that we're into.
JA: Tell me about this tour you're kicking off in the House of Blues in Boston. How do you feel getting back on tour after five years?
SK: I'm really looking forward to getting the crew together and doing the big tour. It's going to be a lot of fun. Actually, we were just in Boston not long ago doing a DJ set. We love Boston. It's a great town, and it'll be very exciting to be back. I'm really hoping the Red Sox will be playing there so I can catch a game.
JA: Hopefully, lots of college students will be there. Would you say they are your target audience?
SK: From the beginning, we did have a younger group of fans, but I wouldn't say it's all college students. There's always lots of different variety. It's been a good cross section of listeners, which I think is great.
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