When
bands begin experimenting with different, unfamiliar sounds that lead them
in new directions, often times the change can be traced to the fact that
they've recorded the same song over and over again. For the New York-based
trio Enon--guitarist and vocalist John Schmersal (ex Brainiac), bassist,
keyboardist and vocalist Toko Yasuda (ex Blonde Redhead) and drummer Matt
Schultz (ex Let's Crash)--developing and honing a definite sound doesn't
seem all that important. They're far more interested in exploring new sounds
with each song they write.
Enon's
first proper full-length release, Believo! (SeeThru Broadcasting),
as well as many of the 
band's
singles and compilation tracks, mixes a myriad of spastic, synthesized
sounds. High Society, their spring 2002 follow-up for Touch and
Go Records, holds back a bit electronically. It's augmented by synthesized
sounds rather than driven by them. On High Society, Schmersal eschews
(for the most part) the unhinged, detuned guitar stylings that dominated
previous Brainiac releases, as well as much of Believo! Yasuda lends
her vocals to a number of songs, and with a voice reminiscent of Cardigans
singer Nina Persson, her songs serve as funky, mid-tempo departures to
Schmersal's often jerky, askew guitar doodles.
With
Hocus
Pocus hitting the shelves in early September, Tidal Wave's P. J. Osborne
spoke to Schmersal. Enon just finished a tour of the West Coast, opening
for The Dismemberment Plan. Schmersal chats about the band's new record,
life on the road, and pending loss of sanity.
Tidal
Wave: Hocus Pocus, Enon's third long player, is due in early September.
What's the first single from it, and overall, what can listeners expect?
John
Schmersal: The single is called "Starcastic," [and] it's a good marriage
of a lot of the ideas we incorporate--all in one song. Toko and I both
sing on it, and it's both dancey and rock at the same time. I can't really
forecast a listener's expectations, but I can say that we are happy with
the way Hocus Pocus turned out.
TW:
Speaking
of new output, the band has an assortment of singles on the way. What's
the release date for all of your forthcoming goodies?
JS:
Search me... The only ones scheduled are for the "Starcastic" single, which
comes out the last week of August, and the LP, which comes out the first
week of September. Also just released is the In This City remix
EP, enhanced with 3 videos on the CD version.
TW:
Some
of your group's best songs happen to be released as singles ("Believe or
Deny" and "Listen While You Talk"). How do you determine what songs to
release as singles and what songs to release as downloadable songs of the
month via the Enon website? Is it strictly in the timing?
JS:
I suppose. Some songs feel like they go together for some reason. The web
song thing is more like a conduit. They are neither lesser or greater offerings,
but you know, your opinion and mine might be vastly different as to which
songs are better. We are usually responsible for recording and mixing that
stuff ourselves, whereas other releases get the lice comb treatment of
a trusting buddy, but that doesn't make the tracks more or less important;
it's just a matter of circumstance.
TW:
Which
proves to be more satisfying and challenging: writing and recording new
material or performing it live?
JS:
If we were satisfied, I suppose we wouldn't be making music anymore. I
personally like writing songs; recording them can be fun, especially when
it's a spontaneously part of the writing process. Whether songs get played
live is just about how exciting it is for the band to play them, and what
we are feeling.
TW:
How
do you keep your sanity, considering the band writes, records, and tours
at such a feverish pace?
JS:
I have my tinnitus to keep me company. Who said we were sane?
TW:
As
far as the band's relentless tour schedule is concerned, what, in your
opinion, are the "dos" and "don'ts" of touring?
JS:
I'm not going to tell anyone what to do. Every band is different; don't
burn out; that's about it. But that's up for you to decide where that point
is.
TW:
What
key moments formed your musical tastes growing up?
JS:
Beatles 8 track tapes, and then punk.
TW:
Judging
by the band's output, Enon, as a whole, seems to be inspired by many styles
of music. Do any styles of music turn you off?
JS:
Music, like most things, is better ingested when you are ready for it.
We don't always listen to music in the van; any style of music can be done
well or poorly, you know? We feel as inspired by what we dislike just as
much as what we love.
TW:
As
of late, much has been made of most any band hailing from New York. Is
the new-wave-of-new-wave climate of New York one that appeals to you?
JS:
New York is pretty f'ed up these days. If you don't live in New York, it's
all about the bands, maybe, but the turf is kind of grim here; the mayor
sucks, and the economy is screwed. Tons of my friends are out of work;
they raised the subway fares; they are closing Firehouses; [they] pulled
smoking from the bars, and in general, things are happening that are making
many people consider moving away. I'm a little sore on New York. It's really
in sad shape. The band hype thing is just pulp for people other than New
Yorkers to read; it's got nothing to do with living here, and has little
bearing on my life other than that I happen to play music, and people ask
us this question all the time. I don't think any New York band likes this
question--it's an eye roller. I didn't move here to be in a band, and I
don't recommend to anyone who lives anywhere else to move to New York for
music--unless money is of no object to you!
TW:
Your
former bandmate, Juan Monasterio, directed the video for "In This City".
What was it like working with him? Was it a good experience? What ideas
did he bring to the table?
JS:
The video was all him and his two partners' idea. He understands our humor,
and it was easy as old times working with him. We are totally lucky to
have that video. It's amazing! You should watch it in slow motion; there
is so much detail going on you can't even see one-fifth of it at regular
speed. We love making videos, and [we] hope to get to make some more...
