News Deap Vally: ‘You Really Bond When You’re Knitting’

Few venues host quite as many sets from musicians of the moment as London’s Old Blue Last; tonight is no different, and a gig that’s being discussed fervently as I walk into the venue’s bar during the hours preceding. Hailing from the San Fernando Valley, our headline act for the evening is Deap Vally; composed of Lindsey Troy and Julie Edwards, it’s a jovial pairing that completely matches the band’s hazy, attitude-soaked aesthetic and the grit and soul that transcends their music. Having already been the subject of many blogs’ speculation, the duo were known long before their arrival through the novel situation in which they met: a crochet lesson. Spend a little time with the band however, and suddenly all the anticipation and curiosity makes sense.

We begin our conversation discussing their arrival in the UK, and their attempts to deal with jet lag; apparently a previous nap led to Troy having a “saucy dream” involving Keith Richards and “two men from contemporary bands we’re closely affiliated with.” Speculate away; this humorous, slightly risqué start sets the tone for the duration of our conversation, in which the band make it emphatically clear there’s no false image or forced fakery here - what you see is completely what you get, including the now infamous yarn about their meeting. “I wanted to learn how to crochet, so I found a knitting shop in my neighbourhood,” Troy tells us. Little did she know that Edwards was working there. “You really bond when you’re all knitting, as your hands are busy but you’re all talking.” After a “four hour discussion over our musical histories,”their friendship was sealed.

The duo’s sound has already incited lofty comparisons to The Black Keys and Led Zeppelin, and when I put these to Troy and Edwards I’m met with the response that they consider their musical influences “vast”. While confirming the Zeppelin comparison, they also withdraw some of the tagged names by stating they simply enjoy stripped back, raw music by “performers who really give it.” Edwards continues: “I can see the comparison to the Black Keys, but I think we’re heavier than that.” When it comes to recording, it’s quite clear the band favour live performances, as Troy reveals: “I don’t even enjoy hearing my voice when we record. I just record three or so versions and let the producer work with them.” Moreover, they attempt to recreate the live dynamic they treasure within their studio, focusing more on sonic feelings and expressions as opposed to clinical perfection.

Delving further into Deap Vally’s musical foundation, Edwards explains the band’s first gig was at the “Silverlake Lounge [in Los Angeles], and it was f**king amazing.” However this was met with relief by the duo as “we weren’t sure how people were going to take Deap Vally at all.” By the time they had reached their second show, they knew it was all working; none other than Marilyn Manson was in the front row, so they covered ‘I Put A Spell On You’ in his honour. Running through a baptism of fire that new, buzzed, imported bands all must go through, Deap Vally appear to take it all in good grace; their recent blistering sets both in London and Latitude gaining them a wholeheartedly loyal fan base. No doubt their brief flirtation with the listening British public is only set to blossom, and these two Californian girls will continue to play their gritty rock until their voices are hoarse and the whiskey has run dry.

Deap Vally’s debut single ‘Gonna Make My Own Money’ is out now via Ark Recordings.

Taken from the September 2012 issue of DIY, available now. For more details click here.