After 5 years, The Rapture has reappeared with the release of their 3rd album In the Grace of Your Love. And they didn’t disappoint. The dance-punk band is more dance in this album, different from their previous album, but just as catchy. Their singles How Deep is Your Love and Sail Away (that include remixes by Aeroplane, Cosmic Kids and Cut Copy) are currently playing in clubs across the world. The New York band will return to Buenos Aires to play on January 30th at Groove.
We spoke with Luke Jenner (guitarist and vocalist) about what it means to return to DEA Records, what he thinks about Buenos Aires and the big changes in his personal life in the last 5 years.
Can you tell us a little about your new album In The Grace of your Love? How has your music evolved from your past albums?
Grace is the first album we did without Mattie, at least the first full length. We were really sad to see him go. For me this album really centered on forgiveness and moving on instead of building a big out of control fire inside myself and then wondering why I was still not happy. I wanted to evolve personally as an artist to making something more sustainable and mature. I am 36, have a five year old and have been married for ten years. I wanted to make some art that reflects all that instead of living in the usual, artist as big baby who never moves on construct.
How was it working with Phillipe Zdar on your new album, and how did he help to influence your sound?
Phillipe was really instrumental in bringing out the warmth in this record which is something that is necessary for moving on with your life. After my mom’s suicide five years ago, I was at a bit of a loss, and listening to Second Edition by PIL and Suicide the first LP wasn’t really cutting it for me, also just the whole party and no consequences thing seemed a bit old.
How is it being back with DFA Records? I imagine you have a lot more creative freedom than when you were with a large record label.
DFA is really where the heart is, I’m not saying it’s perfect there, but those people love me and I love them. In terms of freedom we have always chosen our own path, but in reality the people you surround yourself influence you a ton in ways you may on the surface may not even be aware of, so being on a major with all the pressures and trying to get the cute girl in high school to pay attention to you is sorta weird. I mean at some point you start thinking things like how do we get this big monster to chase us and be interested in us, and then you kind of go through the rabbit hole a bit with yourself and your band. To be honest it’s nice to be on the other side of that and be home.
You guys are known for djing after your shows. I know you did a live dj set in Buenos Aires last year. Any plans for an after party where you’ll be djing this time around?
Not sure, it’d be nice. Dj’ing is a really important thing in our lives, although I don’t do it much these days because we are touring a ton, it is nice to have some balance, being a scrubby punk kid and being able to live in the tooled out world of limos and high priced drinks and promoters who buy you what ever you want for dinner is fun.
Is there anything unique about playing in Buenos Aires, in regards to the scene and audience, that keeps you coming back?
I just love the city, I love meat so I’m not disappointed, also I grew up in San Diego and my father speaks spanish so it’s always been close to my heart.