COLD WAR KIDS [16:07:08] DOUGHNUT PRINCE? I tell you what, those Cold War Kids write a catchy tune. Maybe it's just the fact their most recent album, 'Robbers and Cowards', is the current soundtrack of my friend Marcus' life, but I just can’t get their songs out of my head. And it seems, I'm not the only one. “Yeah, I do sometimes get our songs stuck in my head in the early stages, when I'm mulling them over, in the context of actually writing them,” guitarist Jonnie Russell muses. “If it happens, it happens then, but after inception, once we're playing them every night, that tends to go away, and I get someone else's song stuck in my head instead - just like everybody else. It's not like I'll sit around listening to our album; I think only people like Prince do that.” Calling during the commute between the band's adopted hometown of Long Beach, California, and the bustling hub of Los Angeles, there is an ease about Russell, which doesn't seem to match his surrounds. “We're not from LA, we live out of town in Long Beach - it’s very different from Los Angeles. We don't really go in there too much, I go in sometimes, like today, because there is a lady I care for there … and the restaurants. There isn't the biggest range of places to eat in Long Beach,” Russell explains. “I mean, LA is a very different place to where we live, it's just so, um, no, I won't tell you what I think of LA.” Originally from Fullerton, California, the foursome relocated to Long Beach soon after their formation in 2004 to record their first demos and pursue their musical career. What followed was a whirlwind of events; a record deal, a debut EP and extensive touring, followed by more EPs and finally, their freshman LP, 'Robbers and Cowards'. Released in Australia this past January, ‘Robbers and Cowards’ has already received massive airplay on Triple J, and has even made the cross-over onto some commercial radio stations, leading the band to head down under in support. “We came down to Australia last year to play like three shows - it was the first time any of us had been down there, and in all honesty, they were some of the best shows we've ever played. The audience response was just amazing. There was a real excitement about our music and us being there and that was just unbelievable,” Russell enthuses. “There's totally a difference in playing to different audiences around the world. Even to compare within the States - as far as different cultures and regions go, it's a completely different vibe. Like the UK is very big on merchandise and showing that they're into a band in that way, but they're very reserved at the shows. Australian audiences seemed to have a very free expressiveness and involvement in the music, which I like.” So with warm memories of Aussie audiences in tow, the boys are packing their bags and heading back to perform at Splendour in the Grass, as well as a handful of sideshows next month. “We've actually been working on our new record for the last few months - we got the tracklist finished today, and we've played Coachella and a few shows, but we're looking forward to touring again - as a band, it's nice to get back into it,” Russell says. “Festivals are great, because they have this real ease of responsibility with time and authority. Everyone is already there to have a good time, you've got a short set, you get on, play and then you're gone - whereas when you've got your own shows you have to work out the pacing, be more concerned about how the audience is going, put a little more effort into your set lists - which is probably ideally the environment I prefer.” But that's not to say Russell isn't excited about his first Splendour experience. “I'm pretty sure we have the whole day, other than when we're playing of course, to check the festival out. I've got some friends who live over there and they've kind of told me about it, so I'm keen to check it out.” Including my own personal Splendour highlight, Byron Bay organic doughnuts? “There are organic doughnuts? And they're really that good? I do like doughnuts. I wonder why my friends didn't mention this to me earlier. Wow, I will have to seek that out while I'm there.” Erika Hennessy Cold War Kids play Splendour In The Grass at Belongil Fields, Byron Bay August 2-3. You can catch their Brisbane sideshow at the Tivoli August 3. back to top ^

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