MEN

New York Punk/Funk outfit MEN started life as a side project for JD Samson’s Le Tigre before developing into a fully functioning band. Today MEN release their debut album Talk About Body as well as their new single Who Am I and tonight take to the stage for a live set in London. We throw some quick fire questions at Samson to get some more info on this disco band.

Describe your music in five words
Gay electronic built to spill

How did MEN come together?
It was the merging of two projects. One which was myself and Johanna Fateman, and the other was Michael O’Neill, Ginger Brooks Takahashi, Emily Roysdon.

What are your inspirations when creating music?
I am inspired to make music conceptual and to bring joy and sincerity and vulnerability to people through movement of the body.

It’s Valentines Day - what are your plans?
We will play a show with Sleigh Bells at Heaven and probably dance our way around London, feeling as free as possible.

What is the secret to love?
Honesty. And admittance of failure or imperfection.

Anthony Hegarty has remixed your new single Who I Am To Fee So Free - how did that happen?
I’ve known Antony for a long time. He opened for Le Tigre a couple of times and we asked him to collaborate [on the single] and he was thrilled to be part of this track. It was really amazing to work together on something so emotional and political.

Are you excited to be performing in the UK again?
Yes we are happy to be back in the UK. We often have a great reception in London and can’t wait to meet more people here.

What has been your best gig to date?
Berlin at So 36 was pretty amazing on our first tour ever.

Who Am I… is pretty disco friendly - what tracks never fail to get you on the dance-floor?
Michael Jackson or Hercules And Love Affair.

Do you have any favourite dance moves?
Nope just pretty much feeling it and letting the music tell my body what to do.





[Originally published on wonderlandmagazine.com/blog, February 2011.]