The Invisible Interview: SXSW 2010

Posted on Mar 4th 2010 9:30AM by Megan E. Baldwin
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The Invisible are an exciting, relatively obscure and, at times, quite beautiful London-based trio. According to the hype that has accompanied the release of their Mercury-nominated debut, they have a superhuman knack for musical hypnotism and a sound that plays a freakish game of mix-and-match with George Clinton, Prince, Hot Chip and MGMT. But band members Dave Okumu, Tom Hebert and Leo Taylor would prefer you to not believe the hype. Why? With an upcoming stateside performance at Austin's SXSW music festival, it just makes more sense to listen. Spinner caught up with Okumu and talked cigarettes, his penchant for women's clothing and the made-up genres music writers use to describe his band.

How would you describe your sound?

Personally, I think we sound like us. And that's probably why many, including myself, have struggled to categorize the sound. We've been called everything from indie, krautrock, post-house (among my favorite descriptions 'cause it sounds like post office), Brit funk, art rock, post-rock, electronica, rave, grunge and space pop. I don't really know what any of these things mean. They sound definitive, but I doubt they are. I'm sure strands of all of these genres exist in our sound, but in the end it's just a list of words with different connotations for different people.

How did your band form?

The band was formed through the process of making the record and consolidated through the experience of touring and finding an identity in the live setting. We've been very close for a long time, and when Matthew [Herbert] offered me the opportunity to make my first record, I knew instinctively that I wanted to do it with Tom and Leo. I had a deep desire to create something that they could have ownership of, too. Fortunately for me, that's kinda what happened.

When was the last time you were inspired, musically or otherwise?

I try to find inspiration every day. I'm very fortunate to be surrounded by people who inspire me: my family, my bandmates, Eska, Mica and the Shapes, Matthew Herbert and many more. I spent today walking round London with J Dilla's 'Ruff Draft' on my iPod. His production transports me every time. I'm reading Kurt Vonnegut's 'Breakfast Of Champions.' His writing is brutal yet compassionate, simplistic and insightful, and his voice is alarmingly contemporary. Connan Mockasin's album is blowing my mind, as are rough mixes of Eska's record. I live in southeast London, and I find my environment pretty inspiring, too. There's a great fruit and veg market at the end of my road.

Is there a story behind your band's name?

It's a reminder of humanity's fundamental need for expression, the process of making the invisible visible. I like the idea that we exist on a threshold between an invisible and visible world and [that] we reconcile the two through the act of expression.

What is your biggest vice?

Cigarettes.

What is in your SXSW survival kit?

Cigarettes.

What is your musical guilty pleasure?

I'm incapable of feeling guilt about something I love. I love wearing women's clothes. I don't think that's musical, though.

Beatles or Stones?

I love aspects of both. I see no need for division.

What is on your iPod right now?

'Sign Of The Times,' Prince.

What is the best thing you've heard recently?

Connan Mockasin's forthcoming album.

What song can't you get out of your head?

A song on Eska's forthcoming album called 'Cathy.'

Where is your favorite place to hear live music?

Depends what it is, but [the] Hollywood Bowl is pretty amazing. There's a venue in London called Wigmore Hall with the most magical acoustics. I once had the honor of performing there with Eska unamplified, and the sound was amazing. I'd love to hear more music in there.

Megan E. Baldwin is a contributor from Seed.com. Learn how you can contribute here.