Call & Response: Kill The Lights

Kill The Lights have been working the slow build here in Canada for years. I first saw them play Rancho Relaxo at least a few years ago and was instantly a fan. Their music oozes all kinds of energy, passion and catchiness.

They were based in both Toronto and Montreal before recently making Montreal their permanent home base. Lately the road has been their home, as the band is playing all over Canada (currently on tour with Maple Music label mates Pilot Speed) and even starting to play south of the border in support of their official debut record Buffalo of Love.

Kill The Lights open for Pilot Speed tonight at the Mod Club. I was fortunate enough to chat with the band during a spell of what lead singer/guitarist Alex Hackett referred to as "post-show tipsiness".

Keep reading for a short interview.

blogTO: You were 100% indie for a bunch of years and Buffalo of Love is your debut record for Maple Music. What's it like being signed to a credible indie label?

Kill The Lights: Is Maple credible? They owe us 15 000 dollars and they ruined our indie cred. But they're nice and we're sluts.

I find the lyrics in your songs really interesting because they're not easy to make out and understand. Are there common themes or a common outlook in your lyrics?

Yes. I mean, No. Or maybe Carl Jung. And Pavement. The band, not the sidewalk material.

What's it like being based in Toronto and Montreal? What pro's and con's have you experienced?

We're now all in Montreal. The problem with being split between both cities was that both crowds thought we were dilettantes.

You're on a short tour with Pilot Speed right now. How has it been? Any funny road stories to share?

Brazilian model suplex k-hole rimjob. Not really.

What's on tap for you this summer and for the rest of the year?

Labbatt 50.

Call & Response is a weekly series of Q&A's with bands from or playing in Toronto. Photo by Garry Tsaconas