INTERVIEW: The Limousines are so HOT right now

There are very few bands that I am legitimately proud of when it comes to career progression, but with the recent release of The Limousines‘ debut full length album, Get Sharp, this is one band I can firmly stand by. The Limousines’ music not only leads a path for the Bay Area music scene, but also personifies the growing bond between Eric Victorino and Giovanni Giusti as they grow together as artists. They’ve come a long way in a short period of time, and at this rate, I can guarantee the two will be doing even greater things in the future- dicks out, hand in hand.

…On their beginnings

Gio: I was making hip hop at this time. [Eric] heard a Jay-Z remix album I did called “The Bloody Album.”

Eric: A mutual friend showed it to me and there was so much soul in his music – I felt attracted to it.

Gio: Eric’s lyrics were so impactual and true. After reading his books it really struck me, like whoa, this dude is too dope. I was really nervous though. He’s all hot ‘n shit. Plus I knew I wanted to evolve musically and this was an awesome outlet! It was instant, like “yo, send me some beats,” and I would, and he’d send it back with something really unique because the music was such a different feel than what we both were doing. We didn’t really take things serious at all – at first. We didn’t even know each other.

…On their friendship

Gio: We were around each other more and getting to know each other’s goals. We’re really similar which is cool, he likes what I like, I like what he likes. I also think having those late-night candlelit dinners feeding each other falafels helped.

Eric: I hated falafels at first.

Gio: I know love when I see it. I introduce new things, and so does he. Some things work, some don’t. But that’s with everything.

Eric: We’re gonna see the world together, huh baby?

Gio: Yes, precious.

…On Get Sharp

Gio: I think one of my favorite things about the album is that the first half is happy, and the second half is darker, but both fun! So you can dance to the dark stuff and to the happy. I don’t think we intended to do that. There wasn’t really an assigned approach, it just kinda came together. I’d send him things, he’d come up with cool melodies and lyrics, then we’d fart around in the studio (which is my garage) til it turned out sexayyz.

Eric: Some of the songs that are turning out to be my favorites are the ones where we really collaborated the whole way through.

Gio: I would throw some input in on the lyrics, but i don’t like tampering with his genius mind! It’s beautiful. He definitely helps with the structure of the song and mood changes or what goes next.

Gio: Honestly, the coolest things are the things that happen on accident. There’s a whoosh thump-type sound that hits in the beginning of the drop in “Dancing At Her Funeral,” that was me leaning back in the chair in the studio hitting the back wall. I told Todd Cooper, our engineer, to lower the volume and listen to me banging on the wall, and it sounded cool, so we mic’d it up and layered it all crazy and it turned out interesting. Then recording Dino Campanella from Dredg on my favorite song “Fine Art” for drums was a huge highlight. We just used one mic on him, and it came out thunderous. There are sounds in “The Future” that are funny little “woo’s” Eric and I do, and I like the robot voice I came up with. I played toms with my hands on “Wildfires,” and it sounds tribal!

Gio: It’s been called “gaudy” before. I like that though. There’s a fine line between over-painting a picture, and I try to keep that in mind. Eric helps me out by slowing my horses on music.

…On their fans

Gio: Interactions are fun! I love using Twitter to talk to people. It’s playful, and makes fans feel special. We can just say what’s up and thanks here and there, and something like sending out special studio notes is cool and nice to do. I would be juiced if I had a studio note from Daft Punk or Hall and Oates, not comparing them to us, but them being my favorite bands and all…

…On “Internet Killed The Video Star”

Gio: [The video] was all 100% Eric’s idea. I was so down with it, such a tall order, but amazing. I remember there being a picture I showed Eric of someone on top of a car in a parking lot surrounded by zombies, and emailing it to Eric. I think the ending kinda stemmed from that.

…On where they are now

Gio: It’s cool to know that people are digging us, and that Eric and I are actually good friends now. Before, I would just send him music and n00dz. Chemistry is the key to our progress.

Eric: It really was, and still is, just for fun.

Gio: It’s still a fun thing, and I think if it wasn’t, we wouldnt be doing this. Goal # 1 = fun. I feel incredibly good knowing we’re doing this ourselves, and love seeing new fans come out of it. It kinda proves that if the music is good, it’ll get out there somehow.

Eric: If the music is good, they dance. Did we mention that we’re good?

Gio: Yea, we’re hella good. Like so hot right now.

Get Sharp is out now at local record stores, iTunes, Hot Topic stores, and thelimousines.com. You can see them live this Friday (for Popscene) at Rickshaw Stop and Sept 30th at The Fillmore.