Patience and come back when it makes sense.
The Irish band talks about their return to Mexico, the slow process of creating new music, and the impossibility—or lack of interest—of defining themselves within a genre.
Far from the rush to constantly release music, Gilla Band He has built his path through experimentation, time and a very particular relationship with sound. A few days after his return to Mexico to open the show The Flaming Lipsthe group reflects on their last visit, the process behind their next material and that sound identity that, although many try to label it, seems to resist any concrete definition.
Indie Rocks!: How excited are you to return?
Gilla Band: Very much, we can't wait. We are very excited.
GO!: The last time you were here was in 2022, at a festival, right?
GB: Yes, in the Marvin Festival. It was incredible, we had a great time.
GO!: Because? What was it that made it special?
GB: It was the first time we were there, in Mexico, in our lives. It's an incredible place. Everyone we met was very friendly, the food was great and the show was great. We had a great time.
GO!: At that time they were touring with their latest album. Now they return to play with The Flaming Lipsa huge band, although without new material yet.
GB: Yes, we don't have new material yet, although we are working on it. This opportunity came up for them and we said yes immediately.
We went in 2022 and we really wanted to return, but you have to wait for them to invite you. So when the opportunity came up it was like, “yeah, let’s go.”
GO!: Have you played with them before?
GB: No. But Dara and I went to see them about 20 years ago, when we were about 16. They played with Bob Dylan in Ireland.
It was an incredible show, very fun. But no, we have never played with them.
GO!: Are you going to adapt your set for that type of show, considering how spectacular you are live?
GB: It's difficult because they are incredible live. It's a very fun show.
I remember that when we saw them, people were completely turned on. They had things like a giant sphere, inflatables… I don't know if they still do it, but it was crazy.
GO!: Would they do something like that? ¿Crowd surfinglasers?
GB: (laughs) I can barely walk without tripping, so no.
I don't want to ruin someone's day by jumping on them. Lasers do sound good, that might be it.
GO!: And you, Alan, with the guitar?
GB: No, me neither. I think to do those things you need a certain personality.
When someone doesn't have it and tries, it becomes uncomfortable for everyone. I would be that case. I'd better stay on stage, surrounded by pedals.
GO!: How long will your set be as the opening act?
GB: I think between 30 and 40 minutes. I'm not completely sure, but something like that.
GO!: Are you going to adjust songs? They have long pieces…
GB: We already chose the setlist. We have 25-second songs and seven-minute songs, so there will be a balance.
GO!: Nothing new live?
GB: I don't believe it. We're working on new material, but playing it live involves a lot of extra things, equipment, logistics… we're still figuring that out.
GO!: It's been a few years since your last album. Are there plans to release anything soon?
GB: We hope to release something later this year, that's the idea.
But it takes us time to write. We would like to be faster, but we are not. Plus, we all have jobs outside of the band, so we can't lock ourselves in the studio for months.
Although it also has its good side. There is something special about disappearing for a while and then returning.
GO!: It also helps to find inspiration again.
GB: Yes, totally.
GO!: Would you like to return to Mexico soon with your own show?
GB: It would be amazing. We would love it.
If the opportunity arises, we go without thinking about it. It's a dream to play in Mexico, so doing your own show would be even better.
GO!: Many people associate them with noise rock or post punk. How do you feel about those labels?
GB: It's not something we talk about a lot. Maybe at the beginning yes, but not so much anymore.
Noise is something that we all naturally like. We have learned what sounds work for us.
But it's funny, because we never sit down and think “let's do something aggressive,” and it still ends up being intense.
GO!: So you're not looking to fit into a genre?
GB: No, that has never been the intention. We like to experiment and see what happens, no matter where it comes from.
GO!: Also visually your albums have a very clear aesthetic. Do you plan to continue there?
GB: I think everything evolves naturally.
After the last album, we started working on new music almost immediately. And many times the sound is defined by the equipment we use.
For example, in Most Normal There were certain key instruments that set the tone of the album. And now something similar is happening with new tools.
GO!: You can see that they have many “toys” behind them.
GB: (laughs) Yes, totally.
GO!: Last question: favorite song The Flaming Lips.
GB: “Fight Test”.
“This Here Giraffe” also.
AND “A Spoonful Weighs a Ton.”
GO!: Great selection. Thank you so much.
GB: Thanks to you.
