We had an opportunity to interview alt superstar LP about their new album 'Churches'! Check out what they had to say!
1. Tell us about the writing process for Churches.
LP - "Somewhat similar to other albums. I was definitely searching and trying to be in my own head. I summoned up my writing partners, old and new. I’m a collaborator at heart—always will be, I think. But ultimately it’s stuff coming out of my head conceptually, as far as what it’s about. It’s really about my life from the last 2-3 years and there’s some stuff that’s a little older, but it’s still part of what’s in there. There’s some stuff for die-hard fans, and there’s some stuff for new fans, I hope."
2. The album was executive produced by Mike Del Rio but features production credits from several high profile producers who have worked with some fantastic artists in the past. What was the collaboration process like with you and the production team on Churches?
LP - "It was great. Everybody that I worked with was really great. I really like them and I loved what we did."
3. So far the singles off the album have been performing extraordinarily well for you. What has the reception been like for you so far in the promotion process?
LP - "This is unlike any other record. I didn’t get to push any of these songs live, right from the gate. It was difficult, but the songs did really well, considering. Even the small amount of shows I did so far have shown me that people are pretty hungry for these to be sung to them live, so I’m really excited to do that. I’m curious to see how these songs grow as far as my numbers with people listening to them more because they heard them live or something. I don’t know how that will work but I feel like it’s going to be fun to see this weird reverse effect on the songs."
4. Churches features an unbelievably bright mix of alt and pop. What were some of your inspirations for this sound?
LP - "Mike and I talked about introducing some new sounds and getting slinky with sounds. He’s the “sonic master”. I don’t know all the equipment and different gadgets he uses to make all these cool sounds, but we definitely discussed making it sound like an LP record, but maybe a little extra, like 2.0 by throwing in some modern stuff while still keeping it with the same acoustic feel."
5. It’s a tough choice, but I think “The One That You Love” was my favorite track from the album. Your vocals soar to ridiculous heights on the track. Can you give us a bit of background on the making of this one?
LP - "This was born in Cabo, San Jose, at the end of 2019 and it was one of those songs where I didn’t necessarily have that concept written down which is unusual. I think the first line I wrote was the first line of the song and it just kind of put me into a world and a feeling and it just became what I was thinking at the time. It had a spontaneous vibe to it and I like that. That’s one of the ways I like to write a song, but you can’t plan those writings—they just happen."
6. You’ll soon be departing on a global tour starting January. What excites you most about getting back on the road since COVID hit?
LP - "People, obviously. The connection. There’s nothing quite like live music and I’m very excited to experience it again and audiences are as well."
7. If you could sum Churches up in one sentence for potential listeners, what would that sentence be?
LP - "I think this is an emotional and poetic record."
8. What’s next for you?
LP - "More of the same, baby. Touring until not a stone is unturned."