Rising trio Cable Car is getting ready to release their self-titled EP on 2nd December 2014.
The band – Nate Mott, Jack Turner and Sur Chevvie – is based in Los Angeles and are making waves with their brand of big-beat pop & R&B. Recently the band released the music video for their latest single Tonight which is a rather saucy affair.
We caught up with the band’s vocalist and frontman Nate Mott to find out more about them, talk about the new EP, and discuss what else they have coming up in the next few months.
Hi Nate. How are you? Where does this email Q&A find you?
At the end of a very long and wild day. It’s three in the morning. My day consisted of a productive writing session, back to back rehearsals for my two projects and a trip to see Theophilus London at the Revelry Party. After that I met up with old friends at No Vacancy. Ever been? To get in, some gorgeous woman takes you upstairs sits on a bed welcomes you to the club and then the bed splits in half and you walk down a creepy staircase. Wild and wonderful. I love LA.
Your band Cable Car is releasing its self-titled EP in December. What can your fans expect from it?
With this record we did NOT play it safe. We wanted to push the envelope of where music is. It’s got its catchy side for sure but in a way you won’t expect. We took elements of song writing that are tried and true and paired them with some recording techniques and music curve balls that will absolutely catch you off guard. With this record there is no safe word. If you catch my drift.
How would you describe Cable Car’s sound to someone who hasn’t heard your music yet?
Smash ASTR and Maroon 5 into a centrifuge. Spin profusely and wham. Cable Car. I suppose that’s a simple way to put it but surprisingly accurate. It goes back to the tried and true meets see a cliff and take a leap.
How long have you guys been together and how did you form?
We met 2 years ago. I suppose for the music world we are a new group but we’ve already developed such a musical rapport we feel like we’ve been at it for much longer. As for how we formed, Chevvie (Ryan) and I moved here together from Rhode Island where we played together but also in other projects. I think we saw potential in each other and both had a moment of now or never. We made the trip out to LA and soon after this troubling handsome Brit moved in a few doors down. We wanted to test his drinking ability so we took him out. Once we found out he was a killer guitarist it was all over.
You recently released the music video for Tonight. Where did the concept for the video come from?
Ah the porn we made, right, well the meaning behind the video pairs with the meaning of the song. Simply put, a fantasy is stronger when unrealized. Once the deed is done it becomes something else and its power it taken away. So after a few discussions with our director Noel Maitland and his partner Erica Stewart- we came up with each band member explaining his sexual fantasy to a psychiatrist (played by the stunning Samantha Robinson). At first glance the video seems almost lewd but when you really watch we actually barely touch the scantily clad Ms. Robinson. We wanted each fantasy to be seen but not accomplished. Getting across that skirting the line can be healthy but any further…that’s the video anyway. I’ve had some fantasies that I have gone through with and honestly some of them were completely worth it.
Give us a bit of an insight into what you’re like in the studio. How do you put a song together?
We do a lot of our producing. We’ve developed a process of playing around at our home studios with our respective instruments. Then meeting up turning the record button on and tossing improvised ideas on whatever is brought in. This seems to weed out the weaker ideas because we start the songs on our own and then have a moment to sit with them before showing to each other. That way we self screen rather than coming together and starting from scratch every time. Even so, there are plenty we don’t keep but our process seems to fit us just fine. Of course we still love the old fashioned get in a room turn everything up to 11 and just see what the hell happens. As for putting the song together-once we’ve decided we love the start of an idea, it’s just layer after layer and then edit after edit until we know we have it.
One of the band members, Jack Turner, is also an actor. Is it hard to juggle his blossoming acting career with your schedule as a band?
As lovely of a blossom as Jack is, he is also a hell of a guy seemingly able to take on way more than the average man. He always manages to find a balance as we all have to. As a band we support each other in every creative pursuit. Acting makes Jack a better musician and music makes Jack a better actor. And so it is.
When can your fans see you playing live?
// EP RELEASE PARTY @ THE SAYERS CLUB //
// 9th OF DEC. @ 9PM 1645 WILCOX AVE. LOS ANGELES CA //
This will be the debut of all the new music so THIS IS THE ONE TO SEE. After that we will post our new dates on Instagram @wearecablecar and on our website www.wearecablecar.com.
What artists would you say have inspired you as a musician?
No way to name them all and they are constantly changing. If I had to pick a favourite ASTR is doing it for me right now also Little Dragon and Banks.
What are your plans for the band in 2015?
We spent a lot of last year in the studio, so 2015 is going to be largely performing and making that next video! Make sure to follow our social media accounts to stay up with us:
Twitter @wearecablecar
Instagram: @wearecablecar
www.wearecablecar.com
Cable Car release their self-titled EP on 2nd December 2014. Watch the video for Tonight below:
