Q&A with singer Greg Gonzales
How does it feel to know you’re putting out a full-length album versus another EP or a single?
It honestly feels like the right time to finally release a longer work versus all the short ones we’ve had for the last while. You might’ve got a string quartet or isolated piano work by Beethoven, but when he finally puts out a symphony, there’s something that feels very bold about it. Definitely wanted that sort of idea in regards to this.
What has it been like having such a dedicated fan base and streaming success prior to even releasing an album?
It’s been the greatest feeling in the world, honestly. I truly believe we really just have the best fans. Every time I talk to anyone who’s been moved by the music they always have so many wonderful things to share & have such a positive energy about them. It’s heavenly.
What made you feel like this was the right time to put out a full album, and why did you decide to self-title it?
After we put out the “Affection” single, it felt like we had developed a sort of template for what an LP by us might sound like finally. Then once we attempted a number of songs I had written over the last five years during the recording sessions for the LP it felt as if we had captured something special and that there would be enough good there to craft a full length album with at last… The record is self titled in keeping with the simplicity of the statement we wanted to make. Stripping everything down to its essence.
What can fans expect from you both lyrically and melodically?
Mostly different sides of what was established before honestly. It’s important to me to refine what I see as the style at this time rather than trying to be eclectic. Some of the lyrics are more sweetly pornographic than before and some of them are stranger and more dreamlike than before, maybe.
You haven’t released many pictures of your band nor have you released any music videos — why did you decide to do keep it that way before your album release? And will that change once the album is out?
It’s mostly a reaction to wanting any image we release (single cover, band pic etc.) to be as powerful as anything and not distracting with any sort of weak imagery ever. Trying to be a bit picky can definitely limit the output however, so that is a part of the absence. As time goes on and once the record comes out there will be more though, mostly due to just trying more.
What do you hope fans take away about your music and Cigarettes After Sex as a band after listening to the full album?
I hope they feel understood or I hope they have a feeling of empathy, which is one of the greatest things music can provide. A feeling that you’re not alone. No matter what someone can always understand how it feels during all the highs and the lows.
– Shoplifted from Billboard Mag dot com
Cigarettes After Sex World Tour Dates:
May 15 – Japan, Tokyo @ Astro Hall
May 18 – Taiwan, Taipei @ Legacy
May 19 – Thailand, Bangkok @ Acmem
May 30 – Barcelona, Spain @ Primavera Sound
June 8 – Porto, Portugal @ Primavera Sound
June 13 – Croatia, Zagreb @ Culture Factory
June 14 – Slovenia, Ljubljana @ Kino Šiška
June 16 – Germany, Mannheim @ Maifeld Derby
June 17 – Netherlands, Hilvarenbeek @ Best Kept Secret
June 29 – Belgium, Werchter @ Rock Werchter
July 1 – Greece, Athens @ Rockwave l
July 8 – Italy, Padova @ Just Like Heaven
July 13 – Lithuania, Vilnius @ Piano.Lt Vasaros Terasa
July 14 – Latvia, Salacgriva @ Positivus
July 18 – Serbia, Belgrade @ Bazeni
July 19 – Hungary, Budapest @ A38 Ship
July 22 – Austria, Wiesen @ Out of the Woods
July 24 – Italy, Rome @ Villa Ada Festival
July 25 – Italy, Cesena @ Acielo Aperto
July 27 – Switzerland, Lugano @ Longlake Festival
July 29 – France, Cabourg @ Cabourg Mon Amour
July 30 – France, Aulnoyes-Aymerie @ Nuits Secretes
Aug. 2 – Luxembourg, Luxembourg @ Rotondes
Aug. 3 – Germany, Luhmuhlen @ A Summer’s Tale
Aug. 5 – Estonia, Polva @ Intsikurmu
Aug. 11 – Slovakia, Piestany @ Grape Festival
Aug. 13 – Italy, Palermo @ Ypsigrock Festival
Aug. 19 – Japan, Tokyo @ Summer Sonic
Aug. 25 – England, Reading @ Reading Festival
Aug. 26 – England, Leeds @ Leeds Festival
Sept. 7 – Vancouver, BC @ The Imperial
Sept. 8 – Seattle, WA @ The Crocodile
Sept. 9 – Portland, OR @ Doug Fir Lounge
Sept. 11 – San Francisco, CA @ Great American Music Hall
Sept. 14 – Los Angeles, CA @ Teragram Ballroom
Sept. 15 – San Diego, CA @ The Irenic
Sept. 16 – Phoenix, AZ @ Crescent Ballroom
Sept. 17 – Santa Fe, NM @ Meow Wolf
Sept. 19 – Denver, CO @ Bluebird Theater
Sept. 21 – Dallas, TX @ Trees
Sept. 22 – Houston, TX @ White Oak Music Hall Upstairs
Sept. 23 – Austin, TX @ The Parish
Oct. 4 – Philadelphia, PA @ Union Transfer
Oct. 5 – Washington, DC @ U Street Music Hall
Oct. 7 – New York, NY @ Bowery Ballroom
Oct. 9 – Boston, MA @ Brighton Music Hall
Oct. 10 – Montreal, QC @ Theatre Fairmount
Oct. 11 – Toronto, ON @ Phoenix Concert Theatre
Oct. 13 – Chicago, IL @ Lincoln Hall
Nov. 4 – Denmark, Copenhagen @ Vega Jr
Nov. 6 – Germany, Cologne @ Kulturkirche
Nov. 7 – Belgium, Brussels @ AB
Nov. 10 – Netherlands, Amsterdam @ Melkweg
Nov. 12 – England, Nottingham @ Rock City
Nov. 13 – England, Leeds @ Stylus
Nov. 14 – Scotland, Glasgow @ QMU
Nov. 16 – Ireland, Belfast @ Limelight 2
Nov. 17 – Ireland, Dublin @ Whelan’s
Nov. 19 – England, Manchester @ Ritz
Nov. 20 – England, London @ Roundhouse
Nov. 22 – France, Strasbourg @ La Laiterie
Nov. 23 – France, Lyon @ Epicerie Moderne
Nov. 27 – Spain, Madrid @ El Sol
Nov. 28 – Spain, Zaragoza @ Las Armas
Nov. 29 – Spain, Barcelona @ La de Apolo
Dec. 4 – Switzerland, Zurich @ Plaza
Dec. 6 – Germany, Berlin @ Astra
Dec. 7 – Poland, Warsaw @ Progresja
Cigarettes After Sex LP due out on Partisan Records – June 9th.