Track By Track: Love Inks on Generation Club

Since 2011′s E.S.P, we’ve been enamoured with the small, rough but perfectly formed aesthetic of Love Inks. Somewhere between the sparse feel of Young Marble Giants and the whisper of the xx, the three piece never remained self-conscious of embracing a gently infectious melody, or invading the listener’s psyche before the pitch of night.

To celebrate the release of their second record, Generation Club, we spoke to the band for a more intimate introduction to the depthless personal motivations behind some of the minimalist beauty on the album. For a limited time, the record is streaming over at Spin, so head here for your aural accompaniment to the words of bassist Kevin Dehan.

Solar Diary

This song is based on a photo from Daido Moriyama, who was a Tokyo photographer in the 60′s. The photo is of a girl running through an alley in the city barefoot. “Scream against the sky,” is something from Yoko Ono. There’s a real dark vibe to this song; it’s about a girl running.

Hearts Up

It’s maybe the most fucked up song on the album, written for a band mate who split. He came up with this title, “Hearts Up“, and I asked him if I could use it. He said OK, and it’s his favourite song, even though it’s about him and it’s not to his favour. I guess he doesn’t get that it’s my way of saying “fuck you, asshole”.

Outta Sight

This is written for Rich LeBlanc, one of my only true friends and compadres in this life. No one will ever compare. This is my song for him, he laughed his ass out of this life and I hope to do the same. RIP.

Night Lunch

The title is from Amos Poe, a great 70s NY director. I can’t find the movie because it’s so rare, but I wrote this song as an idea of what the movie might be about. The song is about being free – and it was written in five minutes. I’d like to keep the meaning to myself, but it’s maybe my favourite. The song is an invitation.

Time

This song is about mortality, and it’s a short song for that reason. It’s a reminder – if someone isn’t saying something worthwhile, don’t waste your time. If someone isn’t hip to your way of looking at things, don’t try to convince them. Just split.

Secret Tattoo

Pamela Des Barres was famously in love with a million rock guys from the 60s to the 70s, most notably Jimmy Page. She said of Dion, “I’ve got your name tattooed on my brain.” She’s more of a star than a lot of the guys she was in relationships with, but she had real love. This song is an homage to her – like “I’ve got your name Pamela, tattooed on my brain.”

I’m Gone

‘I’m Gone’ is another song about leaving home. Austin is the best place to leave – the people here can really make you want to split. This is my song to Austin – don’t call me because I’m gone. Armadillos are really metaphorical here. There was a guy Jim Franklin who did a lot of great art in the 60′s and 70′s based on armadillos: they hide in their holes, come up for leaves to take to their holes and don’t mind anyone. They’re basically blind to the outside world, and that’s Austin to me. It’s a great hole for artists.

Magazine Street

It’s an ode to San Diego, Magazine Street. I had visited this place in a dream, and I write down most of my dreams. In this dream, I woke up to an overcast sky on a day off from work and walked down a hill to a main drag, through the parking lot of a car wash or mechanics, to a shop called Magazine Scene. It was a music shop with magazines and people hanging out. I think I talked to someone and bought something. In my dream I walked home, smoked weed and played the bass.

Hold Out

Based on an art piece in Houston, TX called “Site, Inc., Indeterminate Facade Showroom.” It’s like watching a beautiful building slowly fall over the years. Most of the buildings have been demolished by now, but there’s a Prada in Marfa, TX that’s keeping the tradition alive, sort of. The alternate title to this song was ‘Tribute to the Dispossessed Men and Mothers of Texas’. I was born in Houston – a true shit hole. This song sums up what it’s like to grow up in Texas, at once such a wealth of beauty and inspiration, but where any artistic culture gets squeezed out within time.

Waiting On a Plane

Sherry wrote this heart breaker. It’s a reference to Joni Mitchell’s ‘The Last Time I Saw Richard’, which she would sing crying on tour after she lost her Dad. Both songs break me up. Next time you see me, things won’t be the same – for good and bad, that’s the type of song this is to me. Sherry really hit a new peak with this song. It’s the best track on the record.

Generation Club is out now on Monofonus Press.