Considered a best-kept secret in indie-electronic music, Faded Paper Figures — R. John Williams (vocals, guitar), Kael Alden (synths, guitars, bass, drums, machines, trumpet, violin) and Heather Alden (vocals, synths, piano) — released their third album, The Matter, back in October. Its pulsing combo of skittering synths, pop-y beats, daring energies and thoughtful lyrics earned high praise from New York Post (among others), when it was deemed a “new music must-have.”
We expect to hear much, much more from this band in the new year — once Heather has her baby and the band’s enjoyed a well-deserved rest, that is.
Vocalist R. John Williams reflects on the year that saw the LA band come into its own.
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Describe your thoughts on 2012 in one sentence.
The end of the world did not happen. Ergo, cheers!
Best moment by far?
We released The Matter.
Favorite record this year?
Besides our own? Pinback’s Information Retrieved.
What song proved to be your biggest ear worm?
The Shins Simple Song.
What artist did something pretty cool this year that deserves a special nod?
Beck decided to release only sheet music of his latest album. Why didn’t we think of that?
Fess up: Like Christmas, love Christmas, or hate Christmas?
Love it. Fat guy, red suit, free shit. What’s not to love?
What’s on the top of your Christmas wishlist?
Besides world peace? New kickers.
If you were to cover a Christmas song, which would it be?
Deck the Halls. We like to don us now our gay apparel.
Remember Band Aid’s Do They Know It’s Christmas? Which vocalist’s part would you sing or which instrumentalist would you sub-in for if a 2012 remake was proposed?
Give us Duran Duran’s parts, or at least their hair, and we’re good to go.
Musical goals for 2013?
Heather is gonna have a baby in March. Then we rest. In June we start rocking out, tour the east coast and end the year by starting a new album.
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Faded Paper Figures will still be asleep while we all celebrate Christmas morning, however their debut LP, The Matter (streaming below), will be totally wide awake and available for gifting.
Los Angeles-based fans can catch them live before the holidays when they headline at The Satellite Holiday Party on Thursday, December 20th.
