11/5/2005


Samuel Aaron: Welcome To ALLALOM! What first interested you in music outside of the Top 40?

Chris Lavergne: It was back in 1999 when I saw Orgy’s video for “Stitches” on TRL. I was so moved by everything in the video that my body just trembled. I didn’t even know how to respond to the awesomeness. And it was really funny because I was only like ten at the time and I would ask all my friends if they liked orgy and they’d be like “What did you just say!?”

SA: How does music effect your outlook on life?

CL: It moves me.

SA: Moves you?

CL: Yeah, inspires me -- you know.

SA: What are you currently listening to?

CL: My favorite band right now is this local band from Pennsylvania, called Be Careful Little Hands. This one song “We Got Service” has like 431 plays on my Itunes. I also have been listening to a lot of synth rock like Sexy Death and The Anix just because it pumps me up.

SA: How would you classify your musical taste?

CL: I guess "Post-Rock" or anything that is avant-garde.

SA: As a photographer what have been some of your favorite concert experiences?

CL: I love watching the crowds. I was lucky once to photograph this huge festival once (20,000+) and watching the pit from the stage was one of the most incredible/disturbing things I’ve ever seen. I watched this one college student repeatedly punch himself in the face and to his left was two girls making out – and further back two fat bald guys wearing tight pink shirts that said “skinny bitch.” You get these dynamics in the crowds that are just mind boggling.

SA: Ok, a couple questions about the the musicians you have met, who would you say had the biggest 'rockstar' persona?

CL: Papa Roach... Papa Roach...

SA: Who was the friendliest?

CL: Motion City Soundtrack is great to and Kill Hannah is real good too – all the smaller bands.

SA: Strangest, or most unique?

CL: I met Brian Molko when he was drunk once… that was… neat.

SA: Care to expand on that?

CL: (smiles) not really.

SA: ...and finally - best overall to hangout with?

CL: I like hanging out with low-key bands or local artists. Everyone else is nice, but they're just too big for their britches.

SA: So I take it the 'rockstar' persona gets to you?

CL: I can live without it.

SA: Are there any bands or musicians that you feel really deserve national exposure?

CL: Be Careful Little hands – you should interview them man, your readers would love them.

SA: Why them above any other?

CL: Brilliant and intimate lyrics, interesting rhythms, beautiful vocals and the lead singers name is Tei Blow which is possibly the tightest name ever.

SA: Do you believe alternative music is getting better with its increase in popularity?

CL: I don’t think alternative music should be popular – that’s why it’s alternative. I am sure though in 50 years a lot more people will be familiar with Radiohead then Britney spears. So alterative will have its day – its just not today.

SA: What is your favorite music magazine or website (besides ALLALOM of course)?

CL: Eh, Beside ALLALOM? I don’t really read many print magazines on music – it’s all about the music blogs these days. Once in a while I’ll pick up a vantiy fair or newsweek and they might have a good article on music.

SA: Outside of music you have also worked as a graphic designer, model and website consultant - where do you see all these directions taking you?

CL: The plan is to open a design firm in the future, but I don’t know anymore their might be more noble things to pursue in life then money. Maybe not though, we’ll have to wait and see.

SA: So, what do you consider noble?

CL: I dunno like helping people or something.

SA: What do you believe really drives your creativity?

CL: I like the idea of creating -- i don't want to live my life just throwing myself into things. I want to have meaning and substance in my life and with art I get that satisfaction.

SA: Have you achieved any of the goals you set for yourself?

CL: Getting the website setup was a major stepping point. But now I hate it so it’s back to the drawling board.

SA: What are some of your favorite websites?

CL: As far as photography: davidlachapelle.com. LaChapelle is probably the most famous photographer alive today and defiantly worth checking out. Steep.com is pretty neat too for those people that like tea.

SA: Do you like tea?

CL: Yeah, it's my favorite drink.

SA: Where do you see yourself in ten years?

CL: New York or Africa.

SA: And finally, who do you consider to be the most overrated artist of the nineties?

CL: Nirvana.

SA: Thank you so much for your time, it was a pleasure.

CL: Yeah, it was good – thanks a lot.


To learn more about this talented music lover check out his personal site at chrislavergne.com or his business at ckvance.com.

And to hear his current obsession, be sure to check out Be Careful Little Hands - becarefullittlehands.com.