Streets Of Laredo play the Echo in Silverlake June 26
Back in Summer 2012, the indie-folk band Streets of Laredo was born in New Zealand and transplanted themselves halfway around the world to Brooklyn, NY. The group’s latest EP, “Lonsdale Line” came out on June 10 and they will be playing a show on June 26 at Echo in LA.
They won the AAA category of the worldwide Unsigned Artists competition and were recognized as a must-see band at 2013’s CMJ Music Marathon in NYC. The OC Concert Guide had the opportunity to talk to them about their inspirations, aspirations and upcoming summer tour with Kaiser Chefs at Bonnaroo.
OCCG: Where did the inspiration for your group name originate?
SOL: The name came from the song Streets of Laredo – (The Cowboys Lament). The song is about a washed up cowboy giving advice to a young up and coming cowboy. That sentiment seemed appropriate to us given me and Dan’s (the singers) relationship – he’s my younger brother, and is up and coming which makes me the washed up cowboy!
OCCG: How would you describe your music genre in your own words?
SOL: Kind of folky, kind of country but not really either.
OCCG: What do you want your fans to gain out of your latest EP, “Lonsdale Line” coming out on June 10?
SOL: We want them to get a taste of what we’ve got plus get a little insight into where we came from. There’s a few rare bedroom demos on the EP too that have a nice innocents and naïveté to them – they we’re recorded before we moved to NYC and got all hard and jaded.
OCCG: What are you most excited about your summer tour with Kaiser Chiefs and performing at Bonnaroo?
SOL: We’re excited to spend a bit of time with some English gentlemen. We’re from New Zealand and as such share some similarities such as our love of Fish n Chips & Meat Pies – we’re hoping they have these on their rider. Bonnaroo is gonna be a great chance to see a bunch of our favourite bands, catch up with friends and play to the most amount of people we’ve ever played to. Quietly excited.
OCCG: How was your experience working with Dine Alone Records?
SOL: They’re amazing folks. They’re passionate about music, they have a great roster of bands on their label that we love and just seem to click with us.
OCCG: Where do you hope to see yourselves a year from today?
SOL: Probably in the same Van on our way to Bonnaroo 2015 but with two LP’s released.
OCCG: What would you be doing if you hadn’t pursued music?
SOL: Probably a car salesman or some type of hustler.
OCCG: What are you most looking forward to at your show at Echo in LA on June 26?
SOL: The weather probably. We had the worst winter in NYC… I can still feel it in my bones. We need some sun!