Amazing Aussie band Alpine has two strong frontwomen singing together at the same time: Phoebe Baker and Lou James. The act's new album, A Is for Alpine, was recored in Melbourne and was chosen as iTunes' Australian Alternative Album of the Year. After playing at several festivals such as SXSW and locally at Lincoln Hall, the band returns to play the Aragon Ballroom.
Windy City Times talked with them by phone before their arrival.
Windy City Times: Hi, Phoebe. Where in the world are you?
Phoebe Baker: I have no idea. Somewhere between L.A. and San Fran.
WCT: It is pretty out there.
PB: It is. We are parked at a 7-Eleven, which is so beautiful .[Laughs]
WCT: You are from Australia and used to the hot weather, then...
PB: Yes, I am from Melbourne. But right now it is winter at home so it nice to come here.
WCT: You are the ginger of the group?
PB: Yes, but it is rose at the moment.
WCT: The story of Alpine is you were friends and made a band together, correct?
PB: Yes; Tim Royall, who plays keyboards, met us in high school and we all came together then.
WCT: I read you have English parents.
PB: I do and so does Lou. The whole band does, well everyone except for Christian, who is our guitarist.
WCT: Where did the name Alpine come from?
PB: We used to be called Swiss but we came up with that name at a whim, really. There was another band called Swiss that was getting quite big in Australia. People were trying to book them and wires were getting crossed so we changed the name to Alpine. It was the only name that we could all agree upon. For me when I think of the Alps I think of crisp fresh air and snow. Maybe we will play in the Alpine region one day. What Alpine region, I don't know. Anywhere!
WCT: Whose idea was it to have two front women in the band?
PB: It was a necessity because we were writing songs with duo vocals and lots of harmonies. I knew Lou from school and thought she had a lovely voice. We had a similar taste in music. It is actually really nice having your best friend onstage sharing the moment with you. Sometimes I am feeling like shit but I can rely on her. We feed off each other. I wouldn't have it any other way. I would feel naked if I were the only front woman.
WCT: Traveling together must be nice, too.
PB: It is lovely. We are all friends so this is amazing. We get to come to America and have this big driving tour that we are doing. We get to see the countryside. We get to argue, have fun and sing songs.
WCT: I heard that you toured with Sia and Kimbra in the past.
PB: Yeah, we have supported lots of great acts. We did one show with Sia and it was amazing. Just before a show I spotted black hair dye in the bathroom and she had just decided to dye her hair black before a show. It was very rock and roll.
They both are quirky and have strange personalities in a good way.
WCT: What is the concept for the video for "Hands?"
PB: The concept was actually a preconceived one by the director. She had the idea before she came and worked with us. We were in shock, joy, and horror at reading the pitch. It felt strange and weird but we had to do it.
It really has nothing to do with the content of the song. It has kind of a feeling of acceptance in the first feelings of sexuality I guess. Directors have their own interpretations. It is a fun little piece of art.
WCT: I watched the "Gasoline" video.
PB: They were amazing dancers.
WCT: Where are they from?
PB: They are from a dance school. They are not friends of ours but it would be great if they were. Maybe they could teach us some moves.
WCT: The guys had some amazing bodies.
PB: They were alright.
WCT: Talk about your live shows.
PB: I think we all feel it is important to put on a show and not just stand there and play songs. We like to let it all out. We do a lot of crazy weird dancing because we are not professional dancers so we are trying our best. It is good and lots of fun. You are watching six different personalities onstage. I think it is interesting but I haven't watched it myself so you will just have to come and find out.
WCT: I read online that Alpine has a big following from Mexico and South America.
PB: We get lots of messages saying to come to Chile and Brazil. Our answer is always yes. We would love to. Hopefully people will be very enthusiastic there in South America. Maybe you have a big following there too and just don't know it! [laughs]
WCT: You are a big Spice Girls fan?
PB: Oh yeah, Baby Spice. I remember one time I did karaoke before I had heard them and didn't know what genre they were. I thought Spice Girls were jazz but they are definitely not jazz!
WCT: Baby Spice put out some excellent solo records.
PB: Oh she is the best. I love Baby and Lou loves Ginger.
Alpine appears at the Aragon Ballroom, 1106 W. Lawrence Ave., on Sept. 12, opening for Empire of the Sun.
Visit alpineband.com for more information about this upcoming band.
