Noah Has Ideas

Noah- So how did you guys meet?

Augie-Ko and I met randomly at a mutual friend’s party at MSU. The following semester we randomly sat next to each other at our 8:00 am Political Science class. After that we figured we should actually plan to see each other and it snowballed from there.

N-Where did you come up with the name?

A-I wrote our first album (Gasoline) in my dorm room and the lyrics pretty directly referenced teaching or learn hard lessons.

N- My friends and I are all MSU Spartans as you once were, where did you used to go as a student in East Lansing?

A-We were students in the early 2000s when Grand River was MUCH different that it is now. There were so many great independent businesses like the Bagel Fragel and Lower Level record store. Luckily a couple of our favorite places are still there: Flat, Black and Circular and the legendary Peanut Barrel. We used to take touring bands to both of those spots pretty regularly when we played with them at Mac’s Bar.

N- What do you love about East Lansing/MSU?

A-We were fortunate enough to be a part of it during an amazing time for music. There were 4 or 5 nights a week when great local and national acts would play at places like Mac’s and the Temple Club. A really early Animal Collective show was booked by Steve Lambert. We played with Modey Lemon and The Apes a lot. Calliope was playing in town. It was just really great.

N- What are your musical influences?

A-We listen to all kinds of music. Not everyone understands that. People like to set very specific rules for themselves, which I think is really stupid. I cringe when someone says “I HATE country music.” That is so final. I mean, I hate Toby Keith but it doesn’t mean I hate Johnny Cash. Or even worse is when people say things like “I hate bands who have names that start with ‘The’” – really? Ko and I love music and have a huge and diverse record collection that ranges from a capella gospel recordings to Talking Heads. I also really like Neil Young’s entire attitude toward music.

N- What are you listening to right now?

A-We were in Los Angeles last weekend and I stopped by Amoeba Records. They have everything! I got some T. Rex, M.I.A., Crazy Horse, Circle Jerks and Dr. Dre’s The Chronic all on LP! We even stopped by the legendary VIP Record Shop in Long Beach.

N- What is your favorite place to play in Michigan?

A-That’s like choosing between children! We love Michigan and I’m really proud of some of the things we’ve accomplished, like playing on every Great Lake and on both peninsulas. Selling out St. Andrew’s Hall with The Muggs was a huge milestone for us, but I also love playing smaller Detroit dives like The Lager House. I mean we’ve played everywhere from a tiny bar in Lansing called Dagwood’s to Cobo Hall in Detroit to Mount Pleasant, South Haven, Charlevoix, Lexington, Marquette… everywhere!

N- What was your favorite thing and place about touring overseas with Ok Go?

A-Playing at the legendary Melkweg in Amsterdam in front of a sold out crowd of 650 was pretty amazing. They were great guys too, but by far my favorite thing was eating Doner Kebabs.

N- How does it feel getting your songs on national television?

A-I guess it feels cool. I’m very grateful for the positive feedback we get from people, but while it is actually playing on television it doesn’t really feel like anything.

N- Do you have anything else in the works in regards to a tour, new cd, recording?

A-We’re always writing new music… and we’re always playing shows!

N- I’d hate to bring up anything negative or bad, but I noticed that The Anvil is no longer your drummer, care to share what happened?

A-We just parted ways. It was probably a long time coming on both ends, and it was the best thing for all involved. He’s in Los Angeles getting some work on movie sets, and we got to play with some of our favorite drummers. Right now the band is as tight as ever, and our new drummer Ryan Vee is insanely awesome. The hardest hitting drummer we’ve ever had, but he is also really dynamic and makes it all look so easy. It feels great to finally have such a cohesive unit on and off stage.

N- I read that you and KoKo recently got married, how is life with the ol ball n’ chain?

A-We met when we were teenagers, so nothing really changed. We’ve toured the world over together, so getting married didn’t really expose us to any surprises.

N- My first concert was a Hard Lessons show at the Flint Local, do you think Flint is going to turn around and become a fun city as it used to be way back when?

A-I still love Flint, like I still love Lansing and Detroit. But all three of those towns are not what they were a few years ago as far as heathy and supportive music scenes. I’m sure a lot of it has to do with the economy and they’ll come back eventually, but it has been a bit of a bummer.

N- What is your favorite one of your songs?

A-Right now playing the new songs off of Arms Forest are my favorite to play live. They’re some of our best, and that resonates with our fans.

N-Batman or Superman?

A-Superman, because he actually has real super powers. I’d love to be able to fly and bend steal.

N-If you watch LOST, do you have any theories about it?

A-I’ve never seen LOST. I don’t really watch television, except for CSI because it is always on at 3:00 am when we get home from gigs.

N- What is your favorite movie of ‘09?

A-I really liked “Where The Wild Things Are” because I grew up with that book, I love Spike Jonze, and Karen O’s soundtrack is amazing.

N-Favorite foods?

A-I could eat spaghetti everyday.

N- I’m going to ask my favorite James Lipton question from Inside the Actors Studio, When you get to Heaven, what do you want the Lord to say to you?

A-”You can come in”

N- If you weren’t a musician, what would you want to do?

A-Disappear

N-Country you would like to visit the most?

A- Australia

The Hard Lessons are true Michigan music, you can feel the state in their music. They are one of the VERY few bands that can transfer their music from record to stage and sound even better. Their music plays to whatever mood you are in and is guaranteed to put a grin on your face. Pick up their new album, Arms Forest now! They are also on tour. Thanks again guys!