Loyal Lobos, the solo project of Andrea Silva, initially wowed up us with her first single “The Fall“. With its shimmering guitar and heart-tugging melody, the track was a meeting point between the emotiveness of Torres and the driving guitars of The War On Drugs. We loved the Colombian born artist’s music but also her anti-machista attitude and caring worldview. Upon the release of follow up single “Dirt“, a far more delicate affair but no less impactful, we jumped at the opportunity to interview her.
Cougar Microbes: What time did you wake up today? Was it out of choice or necessity?
Loyal Lobos: At 9:50 because I had to move my car.
CM: Describe your sound to the uninitiated?
LL: melodramatic but also insensitive
CM: What have been the highlights of your year (musically and not) so far?
LL: finishing my next album and recording it.
CM: Tell us a little bit about your recent release:
LL: it’s one fifth of the EP. I recorded these songs about a year ago and it was a milestone for me because it was the first batch of songs of mine that I was able to put out and felt like the recording process and development was right. Had amazing musicians play on it like Kyle Crane on drums and Sam Wilkes on bass.
CM: How do you kill time on the road when on the road? hobbies/games?
LL: I usually get anxiety moving from place to place quickly so most of my energy goes on not freaking out basically and I’m also very very spaced out all the time so time goes by really fast.
CM: What have been your favourite venues to play? Any venues you hated?
LL: there’s one in LA called the Lexington that I hate. the vibes are off and the sound is horrible and it’s kind of the price you have to pay to want to perform because it’s one of the few venues that will book you when you’re starting out. Also, my first show there, a guy got on stage before me and played a song that had only two chords and these words “tits and ass and tits and ass and tits…” probably one of the most disappointing experiences I’ve had with humanity. One of my favourites was Revolution Hall in Portland
CM: Are you able to write on the road or do you do this in your off time?
LL: Sometimes. Writing comes and goes for me and it’s usually manic when I have it. It’s like getting the flu and I just hide for days and only write and then when it’s gone I kind of have a few weeks that takes me to figure out what normal is supposed to be.
CM: What is the songwriting process like for you?
LL: varies, sometimes I’ll write a lyric line that comes to my mind and save it in my phone and then sit down and hear a melody and work around that idea or sometimes I just play a chord progression over and over until the rest comes.
CM: What came first, the lyrics or the melody?
LL: I think lyrics are a little more limiting, I usually think of a lyrical idea for the sentiment of the song but I think melodies are much more instant and universal way of communicating so to me it’s one of the most important things of a song, especially with English not being my first language, I connect emotionally with the music first and then I digest the lyrics.
CM:
Do your songs go through many revisions and demos before recordings?
LL: yes sometimes they do and sometimes a song is so specific and personal that i don’t ever touch it.
CM: What is your favourite track of yours?
LL: i don’t have one but there’s like three from my new album that i like the most right now.
CM: Is there a song of your own you are simply sick of playing live?
LL: YES. but it’s ok, it’s kind of a love/hate relationship with old music because you always want to move forward and i listen back and think i could’ve done a few things better, but it’s always a process and every step of it takes to to where you’re at right now.
CM: If you could record any cover in the world what would it be?
LL: “Everytime” by Louis Cole. There still isn’t a recording of it out but everytime I hear it live I cry.
CM: Any other artists/bands from your local scene we really should know about?
LL: I love a band called Goon, Knower is genius, Naked Giants from Seattle, Sam Valdez. I need to get out more and check new bands out because sometimes it is so rewarding.
CM: What is the most flattering thing you’ve read about yourselves?
LL: I hate reading about myself and usually can’t get past the embarrassment
CM: What was the first record/tape/cd you ever bought?
LL: probably an S Club 7 CD
CM: What was the last song that got stuck in your head?
LL: The Twin Peaks theme song
CM: What was the last show you paid and queued up for?
LL: Big Thief at the Bootleg like two years ago.
CM: If you had to bring on artist back from the dead in exchange for sending a living artist down, which artists would it be and why??
LL: That’s kind of dark. I don’t think I ever want that power. I’d have to think about it
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