MOKB 2007 Holiday Interview Series : Richard Edwards of Margot & the Nuclear So & Sos

There has never been any doubt that I have bro-love for Richard Edwards. I've always freely admitted that. He's the backbone of Margot & The Nuclear So & Sos and is the most talented songwriter I've have had the privilege to spend time with. On a side note, I love him, as well, because he can talk sports, and is passionate about it. Further proving all my theories about hipsters/indie/sports melding harmoniously.

The Dust Of Retreat, Margot's first album, was written nearly four years ago, when Edwards was barely out of his teenage years. Animal! will really mark the band's first mature effort, and I have a feeling it's going to be great. For the new album, they've gone major label, signing with Sony's Epic imprint, worked with all-star Brian Deck (Modest Mouse, Iron & Wine) and they're scared as hell. They want this to be a great album, and they're not just going through the motions to make it happen.

MOKB : Animal! comes out in 2008 - tell us what you can or will about it please.

Richard Edwards : I think it's coming along really well. We've been working on it for a long time. I don't think it's very much like The Dust Of Retreat. It's kind of a noisy, trippy pop album. I play alot of electric guitar on it.

MOKB : Is Margot still planning on leaving the Midwest?

Richard Edwards : I would personally like to leave the midwest. We'll see how it goes. I think we'll be too busy to move anywhere for the next year.

MOKB : Any musical plans for the 2007 holiday season?

Richard Edwards : We are playing two nights at Schubas over New Years. I'm excited about that. We have a little holiday tour coming up, and we've been working with some other bands in our studio (Queensize Twin Aire).

MOKB : What have been your most and least favorite things about the last two years?

Richard Edwards : Worst has been developing a severe case of the shivers, due in part to the stress of doing this. I think everyone's health has suffered alot. Everything else is the best. Getting drunk in a new city with your friends is a good way to spend your days.

MOKB : Where is the best place you've toured over that time?

Richard Edwards : I'll always answer "New York" to this question. I really love being there. I'm happy the minute I get out of the bus. Chicago and San Fransisco are very close though.

MOKB : Where is the best and worst place to eat while touring?

Richard Edwards : I like truck stop food. I don't have very refined tastes. We hit the in and out burger when we're in California. There's a great BBQ place down the street from the hotel cafe in los angeles. We've eaten at some really shitty places, so it's hard to give an answer on the absolute nastiest.

MOKB : What's the worst rock n roll injury you've sustained over that time?

Richard Edwards : Jesse (our old cello player) got punched in the eye. I busted my foot really bad while trying to move some gear. Drunk.

MOKB : Give me your top three hometown hotspots.

Richard Edwards : Radio Radio for shows. I'll go see anything there, I just like being in that venue.

Peppy's grill. Open all night. Such great, ridiculously unhealthy food. Try the cheesesticks. You'll thank me.

Lockerbie Pub. Best bar tender in the city. Not much atmosphere, but this is Indianapolis. There's a bar at English and shelby called "The Iron worker". We've really liked that place. Has a very Raymond Carver vibe. It's a third shift bar though. They close early. Around 8 pm. I went there on my birthday. If you want to hang with some pretty amazing blue collar hoosiers, you must go there. Some of the sweetest people on earth.

MOKB : What's the best piece of free you received over the last two years?

Richard Edwards : Free what?

MOKB : What weather event most terrifies you?

Richard Edwards : Tornadoes scared the shit out of me as a kid.

MOKB : What do you want for (Christmas/Hanukkah/Insert Your Holiday here) this year?

Richard Edwards : I would like to be Jewish for hanukkah. That would be the best gift ever.

MOKB : What's your best holiday memory?

Richard Edwards : Writing at a desk, with my window open so I could feel the cold (Jesus, what was I thinking), with Christmas lights all over my room, listening to christmas music, and bundled up in a sweater.

MOKB : Give me your best holiday get-away.

Richard Edwards : New York

MOKB : You're snowed-in, who do you want to be stuck with you?

Richard Edwards : Shannyn Sossamon, Ellen Page, Susan George, Kierra Knightly, Audrey Hepburn, Linda Cardinelli, Kari Wuhrer and Chan Marshal

MOKB : What's the best gift to buy for that special someone this holiday season?

Richard Edwards : Acid. Maybe a book that they like. Actually, you should probably make something.

MOKB : If you were to buy that special someone one CD (other than any you're affiliated with) this holiday season, what would it be and why?

Richard Edwards: I would get them the Zombie Heaven boxset. Because it's so badass.

Margot and the Nuclear So and Sos - Children's Crusade On Acid (Live on MOKB SIRIUS Blog Radio) (new song)
Margot and the Nuclear So and Sos - Untitled (Live on MOKB SIRIUS Blog Radio) (new song)
Margot and the Nuclear So and Sos - The Ocean (Live on MOKB SIRIUS Blog Radio) (new song)

Margot & The Nuclear So & Sos - Sketeton Key
Margot & The Nuclear So & Sos - As Tall As Cliffs (Demo)
Margot & The Nuclear So & Sos - Holy Cow (Demo not to be included on new album)

Margot & The Nuclear So & Sos On Tour:

Dec 7 - The Dame - Lexington KY, Kentucky
Dec 8 - The Mad Hatter w/Turnbull AC’s - Covington, Kentucky
Dec 9 - Beachland tavern - Cleveland, Ohio
Dec 10 - The Black Cat - Washington DC
Dec 11 - First Unitarian - Philadelphia
Dec 12 - Middle East upstairs - Boston, Massachusetts
Dec 13 - (SOLD OUT) Mercury Lounge - New York
Dec 30 - Schubas Tavern 18+ (w/Catfish Haven) - Chicago
Dec 31 - Schubas Tavern 21+ (w/Catfish Haven) - Chicago

Previous MOKB 2007 Holiday Interviews: Ed Droste of Grizzly Bear, Jules De Martino of The Ting Tings, BJ Warshaw of Parts & Labor, Jona Bechtolt of YACHT, John Roderick of The Long Winters, Patton Oswalt (comedian), Tapes 'N Tapes, Justin Vernon of Bon Iver.

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