Interview with The Raveonettes

by Andrew DeWitt & Blaire Nichols

The Raveonettes are on the road in support of their latest album “In and Out of Control”, featuring the hit single “Last Dance.” Virgin Mobile LIFE is here to take you up close and personal with an exclusive interview. And Virgin Mobile users will also get an inside look at life on the road with The Raveonettes as they use their brand new Rumor 2 to upload photos from the road using our brand new service MyPix! Make sure to friend The Raveonettes on MySpace and Facebook now to check out the latest MyPix uploads and more!

VM:   What, if any ringtones or ringbacks do you have set up on your phone?

The Raveonettes:   None.

VM:   What was the first record you ever purchased? What was the most recent?

The Raveonettes:   Bob Dylan’s “Before The Flood” and the most recent one was
Ella Fitzgerald’s “Wishing You A Swinging Christmas”.

VM:   How did you guys meet and what was the first Raveonettes band practice like? What songs did you play?

The Raveonettes:   We met through mutual friends in Copenhagen. First rehearsal was amazing and it sounded stellar! We played “Attack Of The Ghost Riders,” “Do You Believe Her” and an obscure song called “Signal’s Changed.”

VM:   Your last album was recorded in your apartment in NYC. How was that experience different from the experience of recording in a studio in Copenhagen for this latest release? And which experience did you prefer most and why?

The Raveonettes:   I like all scenarios. Recording at home is what we’ve almost done so going into a studio was kinda new and intimidating to us. It worked out in the end though but it was a hard process. We recently bought our own studio in Brooklyn so that’s where we’ll do the next album.

VM:   Tell us a little about your album, In And Out Of Control? What are your favorite tracks on the record?

The Raveonettes:   They’re all my favorites. It’s a very varied album and a brilliant, twisted pop album. Haven’t heard anything like it.

VM:   In and Out of Control is your fourth full release. How is this album different from your previous three? What, if anything, inspired these changes?

The Raveonettes:   All our albums are quite different from each other. The sound on this album is quite big and powerful but it’s a very sensitive and fragile album with some dark lyrical themes such as suicide, rape and violence.

VM:   What do you hope fans take away from this album that maybe they haven’t from the past? Were there any new techniques or styles that influenced your writing for In And Out Of Control?

The Raveonettes:   The strange but highly effective combination of beauty and darkness. It’s a very catchy album with big choruses and a ramshackle production.

VM:   What is the creative process like for you guys? What do you find most often inspires your songs? And when and where do you do most of your writing?

The Raveonettes:   This album was done very differently. We didn’t show up at the studio with anything written, we did it all right there. Worked from the wee hours in the morning till late at night and had no idea what was gonna come of it. It was exciting and frustrating. Movies and art inspire our music a lot.

VM:   Are there any artists that you are especially interested in collaborating with in the future?

The Raveonettes:   Yes, Martin Gore and Sean Penn.

VM:   You have gotten to travel the world and play shows in a great variety of places, what have been your favorite cities to visit?

The Raveonettes:   Paris, London, New York, Portland, Sf, Berlin, Barcelona, Etc…

VM:   You’re touring the US for most of this Fall, what can fans expect from a Raveonettes show this time around?

The Raveonettes:   A great variety of songs. A few great cover songs and a cool performance where we’ll change things up like we’ve never done before.

VM:   You’ve recorded four full length album, played concerts all over the world, been signed to both major and independent labels...has anything about fame especially surprised you, good or bad?

The Raveonettes:   No, I was prepared for it all.

VM:   What is your favorite food?

The Raveonettes:   Confit de Canard.

VM:   Everyone has a guilty pleasure band that they’re somewhat embarrassed to be a fan of. What are yours?

The Raveonettes:   Shakin’ Stevens.

VM:   If there was one thing you wanted Virgin Mobile users to know about The Raveonettes what would that be?

The Raveonettes:   That we’re here to stay!