An Few Quick Questions For: Spanish Prisoners

Those of you who follow this blog, know all about our liking of Spanish Prisoners. They make absolutely amazing music and lead singer Leo Maymind is one of the nicest guys we've have meet in the music industry. Here is a short interview I was able to conduct with Leo this week.

Edward Gaug - While I have had the opportunity to listen to Spanish Prisoners, I am guessing many others here at CCSU haven't, how do you explain what the band and what their sound is all about?
Leo Maymind - I usually describe it as 'noisy chamber pop.' It's hard to sum up quickly because the music sort of spans genres and I don't feel it's my role to describe the sound, I just think listeners should figure it out on their own.

Gaug - Spanish Prisoners have looked a few different ways live, from only yourself to four people now, how have the differences changed the band's sounds and the way you play live?
Maymind - Having varying lineups is great because it makes playing the same songs malleable in different setups, which keeps things fresh. I enjoy playing solo, but we can get a lot closer to the true vision of the songs by having more people on stage.

Gaug - You'll be in Somerset, Mass in the next couple days and then a pretty big show in Manhattan after that with Daniel Johnston. How excited are you to play a show with an artist that is so renowned in the folk and Americana music scenes?
Maymind - We're all super excited about this show, especially because we are opening and backing up Daniel.

Gaug - It seems like you're on tour all the time, how do you keep yourself grounded and sane while being on the road pretty consistently?
Maymind - The people around me keep me pretty grounded. I wouldn't call myself sane most of the time!

Gaug - You have recently signed to Exit Stencil Recordings, were they involved in the making of your record Songs to Forget or did they come in after?
Maymind - No, I recorded the whole record before Exit Stencil came into the picture, so I financed (and recorded) the whole thing myself. We're glad to be working with them now, they're great folks.

Gaug - What are your and Spanish Prisoners' hopes and plans for 2008?
Maymind - Just to keep touring, writing, reaching out to more people, and enjoying life.

Gaug - Is there anything else you want us to know about Spanish Prisoners?
Maymind - Take a listen here: www.myspace.com/spanishprisoners! the music should hopefully speak for itself. Thanks for reading.

Spanish Prisoners' debut album, Songs to Forget, will be out on April 8. You can preorder it now.

Spanish Prisoners have graciously allowed for a few downloads of their songs. My favorite is below, as well as "Where God Does his Laundry." Enjoy.

Spanish Prisoners - "Song Among Them Are Killers"
Spanish Prisoners - "Where God Does His Laundry"