Spotlight: Poolside Shares a Glimpse into 'Blame It All On Love' and Their ACL Experience
☆ BY SOPHIE GRAGG ☆
PRIOR TO TREATING THE AUSTIN CITY LIMITS TO A BEAUTIFUL AND GROOVY SATURDAY SET we chatted with Poolside who is Jeffrey Paradise to hear more about his live shows and latest album, Blame It All On Love.
After playing in Austin the night prior at Emo's, Poolside had the weekend primed for a good set. But what sets the tone for such a fantastic live performance?
Poolside shared, "It's the last show of our month-long tour, so there's this feeling of excitement, like a grand finale. The audience has been great, and we're all well-rested. It's different from club shows because we have a shorter set, usually around an hour. You need to be strategic with song choices based on the time of day."
As Poolside shared his experiences with tour and gave insight into the new project, it became clear that he’s at an exciting crossroads in their musical journey. The new Poolside album Blame It All On Love is out now on Ninja Tune imprint Counter Records. Its 11 tracks are a fusion of funk, soul, and the iconic Poolside sound that fans love.
Poolside noted, "The new album has a lot more guitar and has a slightly weirder vibe. We didn't restrict ourselves to a specific formula this time. It's a bit more indie rock, with a different approach to songwriting. We've experimented with a gritty digital texture, which feels fresh in today's world of music production."
But what's striking about Poolside's creative process is their bold embrace of the analog-digital boundary. Using vintage '90s gear that some might describe as "shitty," he’s crafted a unique sound that offers a refreshing contrast to the crisp digital and pristine analog sounds that dominate today's music scene.
Poolside emphasized that they don't make music to conform to expectations. Paradise’s goal is to avoid boredom by constantly pushing the boundaries of his sound which can be heard across album cuts like “Each Night,” “Float Away” featuring fellow indie rockers Vansire, and “Ride With You,” written and performed with Cut Copy’s bassist Ben Browning. He shared that they don't dwell on fan reactions or expectations; his focus is on staying true to their evolving artistic identity.
Poolside admitted that when creating music, he doesn’t always think about how it will translate to a live setting. Paradise candidly revealed, "It's funny; we've become a cover band of our own music. The songs are fully produced in the studio before we figure out how to perform them live. Solving this puzzle can be both fun and meticulous. Take 'Can't Stop Your Lovin,' for instance. It's a slower, more vocal-focused track that presented a unique challenge. But once you solve it, it's incredibly rewarding."
Poolside's new album Blame It All On Love is a testament to his continued evolution as an artist. Their ability to experiment and evolve, while keeping one foot firmly planted in their signature sound, ensures that they remain a contemporary band that attracts both old and new fans.
