The Noisettes: Pop Saviors

Although they're too modest to admit as much, The Noisettes, handily armed with a collection of punchy pop songs in the form of Wild Young Hearts—out in August—are out to resuscitate the genre. Comprised of Shingai Shoniwa on vocals, Dan Smith on guitar, and Jamie Morrison on drums, this isn't The Noisettes' first stab at breaking through the North American pop wilderness. In 2007, they garnered critical love with What's the Time Mr. Wolf -- although the brash ring of their anthemic new single "Don't Upset the Rhythm" will surely turn more heads and rightfully win othe band legions of fans -- mostly those who tire of indie rock's hustle and flow but still feel ashamed to profess their love for pop. After the jump, the trio sounds off on what they learn from their friends (TV on the Radio, Muse), the cosmic energy of pop, and how important it is to not wear the right clothes.

So tell me a little about The Noisettes.
S: There’s a great electric energy. We come from different parts of the galaxy. We make one great cosmic energy of pop music. When we came into the London scene, there were only male-fronted indie bands. Our collective ambition is to keep doing what we’re doing. When a Queen song comes on. When a Prince song comes on. When Kate Bush comes on. When “Feeling Good” by Nina Simone comes on, you know what to expect. Great songs are timeless. We have a couple of albums and EPs, we’re still trying to challenge ourselves. Pop should be amazing and great performances—that’s what it was about when we were kids.

How did you all meet?
S: Me and Dan met when I was in school, in college. Then we did bits and bobs. We were in a couple bands. Cover bands. Two years in another band. I was down in Brighton. We met Jamie five years ago through a friend of a friend. We lost our drummer. A week later, we started recording.

What do you think sets apart a song by The Noisettes from one by any other band?
S: Some conversations, arguments find their way into my lyrics. And that’s something’s really great that you maybe haven’t heard since the blues. A lot of those lyrics in blues describe everyday events. I see a lyric and you feel like you’ve seen it there—a lot of pop culture is about getting people into your world. To be inspired by films and theatre. I could sing about growing up in a house in Brooklyn. But there is so much more to life. People want to hear about much more than that.

What about the songs on Wild Young Hearts?
D: The whole writing process took about 8 months to do. We went through a lot of phases. We went to this residential space. We set all our gear up. Lyrically, it flourished. A lot of the songs on the first album have a message – a lot of the songs are written from [Shoniwa]’s personal perspective with the business of love. Each song in the sequence of the love is about encountering something for the first time and then going to the reflective take on it. We went very flirty and pastoral – and “Atticus” came out like that.
S: I was playing keyboard, Dan was playing bass and Jamie was hitting what he could find.
D: What we mean by the album title, it’s like the jazz songs.
S: Anyone who’s been in that situation—they’ve followed their instincts. Even if they know they might not get that homerun, they still go for it. It’s that impulse—that sometimes gets us into trouble, but it doesn’t stop us for going for it.

What other performers is the band inspired by?
J: TV on the Radio is constantly surprising me and on the up on their game. It’s hugely inspiring what they do with their albums. Their attitude with people, musicians, and artists. Their first record is good. But their second record is unbelievable and you can tell they’ve come together. And Bat for Lashes. And Empire of the Suns. I really, really hope that Amy Winehouse doesn’t waste the opportunity that she’s created for herself. So many people look up to her. She has a real opportunity to spread a message.

The Noisettes have toured with an impressive list of musicians.
J: We’ve gone an played and supported NERD, we’re supporting TV on the Radio. We’ve played with Muse. We’ll be doing shows with Pussycat Dolls, Lionel Richie, Lady Gaga. In London there’s a grime scene going on—we’ve been with M.I.A. It’s inspiring to be playing like that because it’s a different audience.

So what can you glean from supporting such eclectic talent?
J: It’s just a really good sign for us that we can step into those situations. And people love it.

Do you feel The Noisettes are being too ambitious with their pop mission?
S: We’re out to remind how great and infinite pop can be. And not be downtrodden to inspire girls and boys. We need to remind people pop music is not exclusive of any scene or any person. It’s not about wearing the right clothes or being from any part of the world. It’s about the way we touch people.