Interview: Lesotho
I feel we have all grown in what we do together which has had the biggest overall impact on our sound.
Lesotho are a trio from Boston who play heavy and atmospheric post-everything as they say so themselves, and this is perfectly demonstrated on their new album A Flashing On Plain Glass, which is a fanatic brooding but beautiful collection instrumental songs. Gavin Brown recently caught up with Lesotho guitarist Kyle Loffredo, who talked about A Flashing On Plain Glass and also discussed inspiring instrumental music, Boston’s music scene and what else Lesotho have planned for the year.
E&D: Your new album A Flashing On Plain Glass is out now. Have you been looking forward to bringing this album to the world?
Kyle: Yes, absolutely. For being about half the length of our last album it took us longer to write. It’s a really special project to us and personally it feels bittersweet to officially send it and be done.
E&D: This is your third album, how has your sound evolved since your debut album?
Kyle: I think with this album we were able to distill many of the things we did on our last album Through the Dying Light. We focused on making songs that didn’t over stay their welcome. We still wanted to write impactful post rock songs but to infuse melodic hooks, rhythms and structures that might feel familiar in pop music.
E&D: Do you feel that this is your most immersive album yet?
Kyle: Yes, we intentionally composed the songs so they would string together from one song to the next. I always joke this is the perfect album to press into vinyl because it’s intended to be listened to in one sitting and tell a story. The songs still stand really well on their own but I feel it’s most impactful listened to in one go.
E&D: What have been the biggest influences on the sound of this record?
Kyle: We have recorded the last three studio albums, Summer Wars, Through the Dying Light and now A Flashing on Plain Glass, at the Bridge Sound and Stage with our good good friend and amazingly talented Engineer Alex Allinson. I feel we have all grown in what we do together which has had the biggest overall impact on our sound.
E&D: What does the album title refer to?
Kyle: A Flashing on Plain Glass is intended to mean something different to everyone and relate to our previous work Through the Dying Light. I pull different meanings out of it all the time and I like that in an album or song title. Right now, to me it means to see something beautiful as it truly exists in the world. Unaltered by our ego, desires and biases.
E&D: The music of Lesotho conjures up a lot of atmosphere. Is that what you have always wanted to do with your music?
Kyle: Yes, definitely but it’s equally as important to find a balance of atmospheric and good song writing. We want to make memorable melodies, rhythms and ideas similar to non post rock bands we love.
E&D: What are your favourite ever pieces of atmospheric music?
Kyle: ‘Yasmin the Light’ – Explosions in the Sky, ‘Halls of Summer’ – Caspian, ‘There Are Some Remedies Worse Than the Disease’ – This Will Destroy You, ‘Sunbather’ – Deafheaven.
E&D: What are perfect pieces of beautiful and powerful instrumental music for you?
Kyle: I always gravitate toward pieces that evolve and weave musical ideas together. I feel we do this really well in the title track on A Flashing On Plain Glass. The ending “chorus” has a really great build, climax and gentle let down that I think the best instrumental music does.
E&D: What instrumental albums mean the most to you?
Kyle: Tertia by Caspian will always be the most meaningful instrumental album for me. I think that was my entrance into the post rock genre. At a young age I saw them play this album at the now closed TT the Bears Place in Boston and it definitely set me on the trajectory to where I am now.
E&D: As a three piece band, who are your favourite musical trios of all time?
Kyle: A newer band for me I’ve been really loving is the band State Faults. They began as a trio and wrote some of the most beautiful, memorable and impactful screamo post hardcore/post rock music I’ve ever heard.
E&D: How did it feel to be nominated for best metal band at the Boston Music Awards?
Kyle: So awesome. We feel super honored to make a list like that in a place with so many talented artists. It feels great to be seen and see some of our close friends win in their categories.
E&D: As a Boston band, who are your favourite ever bands from Boston?
Kyle: We are so damn proud to be part of the Boston music scene. Our friends in SEA and Glacier have to top our list of best ever Boston bands. They give an incredible amount of support and love to the local music scene.
E&D: What album personifies Boston for you?
Kyle: Crack Up – Fleet Foxes.
E&D: What newer Boston bands would you recommend to check out?
Kyle: We’re throwing our album release show with three local bands we adore and you should check out! Chainlacing – goth/synth/shoegaze, The Burning Paris – post-rock, Tunneling – grungegaze.
E&D: Are you looking forward to the A Flashing On Plain Glass album release show and will you be playing the album in full?
Kyle: Yes, we will be playing the whole album plus a few of our favourite older songs. We are so excited to throw an album release show the day of release at one of our favorite venues, Deep Cuts in Medford
E&D: Will you be hitting the road in support of the album once it comes out?
Kyle: Yes, definitely. We have a weekend warrior tour being planned for this summer in support of the album.
E&D: Does your music take on a life of its own in a live setting?
Kyle: There is definitely a tangible energy in the air when we get on stage to play together.
E&D: What have been some of the best shows that Lesotho have played to date?
Kyle: One of our most memorable shows was this years Somergloom performance. We had just finished recording the same week and it perfectly concluded the whole recording experience. Huge shout out and thank you to Stephen LoVerme who curates the Somergloom/Wintergloom yearly shows. We met and got to share the stage with so many amazing musicians.
E&D: Who are your biggest inspirations as a musician?
Kyle: I am always pulling inspiration from different bands and musicians. That’s what I love the most about being a musician in a band. I get to feel inspired and use that to push myself to create something new. The past couple of weeks I’ve been completely moved by The Mars Volta and highly recommend their documentary “If This Ever Gets Weird”. It’s a documentary about the time they formed the band and wrote their debut album (and one of my all time favorite albums) Deloused in the Comatorium. Thank you for these questions and wish the best to everyone at Echoes and Dust.
