Interpol is coming. No, not the International Criminal Police Organization, but the band.
Daniel Kessler, guitarist and backup vocalist, returns to his local roots with the group tonight at its show at DAR Constitution Hall in Washington.
Interpol formed in New York City in 1997. The group is made up of Kessler, Paul Banks (lead vocals and guitar) and Sam Fogarino (drums). This tour also includes Dave Pajo (of the Yeah Yeah Yeahs) on bass and Brandon Curtis (of the Secret Machines) on keyboards.
Interpol switched drummers, from Greg Drudy to Fogarino in 2000, before completing its first album, Turn on the Bright Lights.
A fourth member, Carlos Dengler (bass guitar, keyboards), left after the band completed its most recent, self-titled album.
Interpol has toured all over the U.S. and U.K., and intends on continuing to play as long as possible. Kessler feels the group that they have now is stable and has uncanny musical chemistry.
Most would classify Interpol as an indie-rock group from New York, but Kessler does not believe the music needs to be so specifically placed into a genre.
“It’s for the people to decide how to classify [our music],” he said. “We just perform it. It’s about how we connect with our audience.”
This concert will feature music not just from the band’s newly released fourth studio album, which came out in September, but from all four of its records.
The new, self-titled album has been lauded by some critics for its emotive and diverse tracks.
As the band’s popularity grows, Kessler attributes much of the hard work to the fans.
“We have a great foundation of people who saved the band [who] evolved with the band,” he said. “Fortunately we have a connection with our supporters.”
He also mentioned they do not plan out their set list every night.
“We don’t plan our concerts too far in advance,” he said. “Every few nights we change it up.”
According to Kessler, Interpol loves working with Matador Records, the label it signed to in 2002, but subsequently left for a major label deal with Capitol Records. With Interpol, the band returned to Matador.
“[Matador] put out our first two records and have great ideas,” he said. “We have a wonderful chemistry and see things eye to eye. We are a more innovative group and they are supportive of what we do.”
It is very important to Kessler to get to perform how he wants to, and through the fans’ support, he can achieve his goals.
“I perform because I’m a musician,” he said. “I very much enjoy it. I write music and connect with the audience and to people who actually want to hear it. It’s that simple at the end of the day.”
Interpol will perform at DAR Constitution Hall tonight. Doors open at 7 p.m. Tickets are $25 to $64.
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