Interpol Celebrate Album Release With Intimate Los Angeles Gig

Despite calling New York City home, Interpol spent Monday -- the night before the release of their self-titled fourth album -- having a very L.A. experience. To celebrate, the band performed an eight-song set for 150 people at legendary producer Bob Clearmountain's studio, which is located a few blocks from the beach.

The hour-long performance and interview, recorded for L.A.'s KCRW and airing Thursday, Sept. 9, found original remaining members Paul Banks, Sam Fogarino and Daniel Kessler -- as well as current bassist David Pajo and keboardist/backing vocalist Brandon Curtis -- mixing older material like 'NYC' and 'Evil' with new tracks 'Lights,' 'Summer Well' and 'Success,' the first song from both their album and the evening's set.

Although original bassist Carlos Dengler wrote and played on the new album, his presence was not missed musically. Pajo and Curtis added a heavy muscularity and richness to the songs with 'NARC' in particular standing out as a highlight of a night that saw many.

In addition to the lineup change, this album finds the band returning to its original label, Matador, after one release for Capitol, and they're clearly welcoming the challenge. "It's a nice happy family," Banks said of his new bandmates during the interview portion of the set. Clearly, with a return to their older sound and original label, the group is feeling back at home. "It all feels really right," Kessler said. It certainly did in Los Angeles on Monday.