Oh wow! What a hot music video! With their new song and video “Black Girls”, David-Andrew ‘D.A.’ Wallach and Maxwell Drummey from the Amercian band Chester French and the video director Francesco Carrozzini, have certainly created an ear- and eyecatcher. And with a great meaning as well: “The song advocates a specific belief I think Max and I share that race is a preposterous factor to consider when it comes to who you love, emotionally or sexually, but that is not a consensus view nor is it a simple conclusion to reach.” David-Andrew tells me.
To read their musical history is pretty impressive. They have been signed by Pharrell´s label Star Trak, ( the other choices would have been Kayne West and Jermaine Dupri – not bad, hey!), they toured with great acts such as Lady Gaga, N.E.R.D and many more; but I think what the most exciting thing is that they are doing something that they really love and they seem to have found their own style…
Hey dear Maxwell and David-Andrew, many thanks for your time. How are you?
D.A. Wallach: Very well. Thanks for asking.
Maxwell Drummey: Super great!
Can you describe each other in a few words?
DA Wallach: Max is a radically self-directed creator of seemingly bottomless ideas and experimental socialite.
Maxwell Drummey: DA is an exceptionally well read thinker and conversationalist with special aptitudes for business and comedy.
What or who inspires you?
DA Wallach: Nature probably inspires me more than anything the more that I learn about it. I include humans in that category, and there seems to be an endless supply of inspiring or interesting things about us. In terms of people I admire, I think the common thread among them is that they believe in something strongly. We live at a moment, particularly in America, where carelessness, irony, amateurization, and selfishness are tacit aspirations. I respect people who strive for the opposite values.
Maxwell Drummey: Pretty much everything, from the mundane to the incredible. I find the universe a pretty inspirational place to be.
You initially started off in 2003 with 5 band members. Only two left now. What happened along the way?
Maxwell Drummey: One of them moved to Hawaii to share his genius with young minds as an educator. The other two are doing great work in film as a writer/director and a composer, respectively.
For your new single “Black Girls” that has just been released in April you have received great feedback so far, but I read that it also has caused some controversy due to the lyrics. I read through them but I couldn´t really figure out the “meaning behind the lines” or better to say what has caused the controversy. Can you help me to get to the bottom of this?
DA Wallach: Race has been a central issue in American History for hundreds of years and so addressing a particular dimension of it – interracial love – has brought out a tremendous range of opinions from people. The song advocates a specific belief I think Max and I share that race is a preposterous factor to consider when it comes to who you love, emotionally or sexually, but that is not a consensus view nor is it a simple conclusion to reach.
And what´s next for you guys- working on an album, tour plans?
Maxwell Drummey: We’re very excited to be releasing our new album this summer.
Great news! So, you have been touring already with a pretty impressive list of big names such as Pharell, Lady Gaga, N.E.R.D and so on. Anyone left for you on your wish list?
DA Wallach: I think the shows we most enjoy are those for our fans alone. We really love the incredible people who support us and it’s always fun to hang out with that crew.
Maxwell Drummey: There are so many artists past and present that I’d love to go on the road with. I think touring with Jack White would be pretty special. I’d learn a lot for sure.
Do you have your own songs on your ipod?
DA Wallach: Yes. Not out of vanity, but because it’s helpful to listen to them a lot when trying to make them perfect!
Maxwell Drummey: Only the unfinished ones.
5 things you cannot live without?
DA Wallach: Family, friends, foliage and water in close proximity, music, and ideas!
Maxwell Drummey: Piano, guitar, bass, drums, and my dogs.
What question have you never been asked, but would love to answer, and what would be your answer to it?:)
DA Wallach: I’ve never been asked why we think anyone should listen to our music. I think my answer would be that we’re trying to make thoughtful music that respects our listeners’ time and gives them a lot of our ideas in concise, elegant little song packages. My hope is that our music can be a bit of a refuge in the currently dominant culture of idiocy and unbeauty!
Maxwell Drummey: Question: Do you want a free mansion on a tropical beach? Answer: Yes, please. Thank you.
The best life lesson so far?
DA Wallach: That happiness is closely related to 1) how much time you spend with people you like and 2) whether you do things that are worth doing.
Maxwell Drummey: Be a nice person.
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