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First On: Pure X

Non-oil based lubricant, Leonard Cohen and pleasure.

Posted 4th August 2011, 4:02pm in First On, by Harriet Jennings


Pure X are preparing for the released of their debut LP 'Pleasure' through Acéphale on 22nd August. We caught up with Nate Grace, one third of the Austin trio, to talk non-oil based lubricant, Leonard Cohen and pleasure.

Your first singles were released last year and your debut album's due for release on the 22nd August. What's changed for you as a band since then?
We've honed the idea of the band more. The live sound has gotten bigger and harsher. We've grown younger, more determined.

Can you talk us through 'Pleasure'? What can we expect from the album?
First find another being that you are in tune with, then get some quality non-oil based lubricant, turn the lights down low, burn some incense, smoke some good weed and have a few glasses of wine. Put on our album and let the sky and earth collide; let your mind go, let your ego dissolve, fall into the space between life and death and be grateful for your existence in that moment.

How do you think the band's sound has evolved since you first formed?
We've got louder, more forceful, more in line with each other and our path to enlightenment through sound. Things have become more meditative at times, more deliberate and straight to the point at other times - just generally better.

What was the idea behind re-releasing the EP?
The 'You're In It Now' EP was originally self released with a total of 200 copies. First press was 50 with spray painted covers, second press was 150 with hand screened covers. It sold out and we thought it would never see the light of day again but thankfully Acéphale and Light Lodge wanted to re-press it. We re-mixed and re-mastered the recordings, added an extra song from the original session, gave it some bad ass packaging, and now it is doomed to live forever in physical reality.

You recorded all of the songs live. Do you feel that having done that, it will make the transition from recorded to live performance easier?
The idea was mostly just to get the songs onto tape - no fucking around, time and money were of the essence, death is around every corner, get it onto record or else. I suppose it does make the transition from studio to live jam a lot smoother, but we didn't really think of it that way. Recording track by track is so fucking boring. Not my style generally. I have always preferred to record live. You get more of the real essence of a song that way. And the sonic/psychic relationship between band members comes across better.

You have a rather handsome list of influences. Who do you look to most for inspiration when writing new material?
I personally look to songwriters like Townes Van Zandt, Leonard Cohen, Lou Reed & JAMC. Those are dudes that will continually inspire me for as long as I am alive. They try to write literally PERFECT songs with a depth that can heal, inspire, and motivate. The main goal being TRANSCENDENCE by whatever means possible.

What made you decide to change your name from Pure Ecstasy to Pure X?
There is another band that owns the copyright for the name Pure Ecstasy. I like PURE X better anyway.

How much of an impact has living in Austin had on your music?
None of us grew up in Austin. All of us generally grew up in the greater Dallas/Ft. Worth area, although we all moved to Austin right around the time we graduated from high school. I'd almost say that San Marcos (small college town south of Austin) has had more of an impact on our music because that is where our crew of friends came together and started playing music. Although Austin has influenced me in many ways that I usually only notice when I'm outside of the city. Like when we're in New York, I'm always blown away by how different the vibes are.

Finally, where can people see you play live in the UK this year?
The UK/EU tour is coming together as I write this. It's looking like we'll be over there at the beginning of November.

Pure X's debut album 'Pleasure' will be released on 22nd August via Acéphale.

Pure X - "Easy" from Malcolm Elijah on Vimeo.
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