[INTERVIEW] Pomepya talk about SXSW, Compliments, Satellite radio, and make an awesome picture for TBE!

Get to know my favorite Russian tropical indie band Pompeya before they play The Spare Room tonight with Beginners! Its their last show in LA so we are going to celebrate their tour, SXSW, and most importantly the awesome piece of art they made for me…

TBE: Where are you right now? Paint us a visual picture!
(They painted a literal picture! Awesome!)

Pompeya: LA is busy. There is a lot of commotion, it’s very bright. But it is also inspiring, and we enjoy working here. Unless we are stuck in traffic. Well actually, traffic is fine because there is KCRW.

How would you describe your music to my grandma?
Melodramatic popular music.

How was your recent experience at SXSW?
There definitely was a lot to learn from this experience. The shows are very quick, no time for sound check, and the venues were not that nice all the time. A lot of stress, but also a lot of opportunity. For the first time – we feel good!

What is the best AND worst compliment your music has received?
The best is when people from unexpected demographics love our music. Something like “My daugheter is only 4 years old, and her favorite bands are Depeche Mode and Pompeya” or “My parents like Pompeya, and usually hate everything I listen to.” The worst compliment? Probably when people try to put inappropriate tags like “chill wave” with our music. These are very specific and we feel our music is of much broader influences and tastes than just one sub-genre that was popular for two years.

What is your proudest moment as a band so far?
It is still being here as the band — making a band, being in a band. Every step we reach, every new height, every new adventure, reminds us why we do this.

What is your next big dream or milestone as a band?
There are no dreams, only plans!

What is your dream collaboration?
We would like to collaborate with Bryan Ferry of Roxy Music.

What other bands are you guys listening too in the tour bus/van/boat right now?
We’re listening to the radio! On the road from Phoenix to LA we found a really nice station on Sirius XM – 1st Wave. They play cool 80’s like Duran Duran, Roxy Music, etc. This is our favorite type of music.

What is your favorite food/snack when touring?
Thai and steaks here in U.S. We are really miss the Russian food! We miss borsch!

What can we expect from your upcoming EP?
You can expect 4 new songs! Well, actually 3 (“Satellite” you’ve heard already). Generally, the sound is fresh, but still the Pompeya the fans know. It’s a nice introduction of what to expect from the LP, too.