Bryan Reeseman interviewed Ryan for a profile on Love Spirals Downwards in New Age Voice Magazine. Check out their Q & A.
Bryan: Previous L.S.D. albums have featured an ethereal, airy sound which equally balanced the vocals, guitars, and synths. What can we expect from the new album?
Ryan: Actually there’s never been that much in the way of sythns; perhaps there’s 2 songs each on Idylls and Ardor that have sythns. As far as instruments go, it’s always been more of a guitar –particularly acoustic guitar– based sound. Ever, our new album, sort of paradoxically, goes more into both a more stripped down acoustic guitar and vocal sound, to a more all electrionic sampler/analog synths and drum machine base.
Bryan: How did you choose the direction for “Ever”?
Ryan: It just sort of happens on its own. Getting new equipment and always growing as a person makes it always new and different.
Bryan: Was the trip-hop mix of “Sideways Forest” a one-shot deal or can we expect more unusual songs from L.S.D. in the future?
Ryan: Unusual? I guess for what some people might expect of us, but I’m fairly certain that our next album after Ever will be made more like that song, with the samplers and analog gear we have, rather than a more guitar-based album again. For years, I’ve wanted to do more music like that, but it’s been only recently that I’ve had enough gear to do it.
Bryan: Do you get a lot of comparisons to the Cocteau Twins? Does that grow tiring?
Ryan: We’re used to, but it’s been 2 years since our last album came out, so it’s been a while since I remember reading any reviews of us comparing us to them. As time goes on, I doubt that that comparison will be made much anymore.
Bryan: Your live show has always been stripped down to you on acoustic guitar and Suzanne on vocals. What is the reason for this? Will this continue or do you anticipate perhaps bringing along a keyboard player and/or drummer as well?
Ryan: I doubt it. We have been doing our shows all-acoustic because we found that it was the best way for us to play live. I don’t think that we’d necessarily sound better if we were to get a drummer and more guitarists and become a loud band. The way we do it now really brings out the beauty in our music. Plus, there’s nowhere for us to hide this way, so people can see that we really know how to play, which has surprised a lot of people who thought we need lots of effects to sound good. So live, it’s like we’ll use no effects and sound even better than our records.
