Hell&Lula emerged in the LA music scene in 2010 with an electro-indie rock sound and an environmentally friendly ethos. The band recently completed a successful online campaign for their green tour bus, dubbed “The Cool Bus,” that runs on vegetable oil. The quartet will likely be putting it to good use in 2013, but for now its members are grounded in LA working on a followup to the debut EP Catch Up!!! Catch Up!!! and plotting their first trip to Europe. We talked with singer Michael Alan Kolb to find out more about the band.
How would you describe your sound?
I think that with our original batch of material, songs like “Set the World on Fire” and “Razor Love,” we pulled mainly from indie rock, modern electro and a bit of 80s new wave. The stuff we’re currently working on is a bit of a departure. We’ve started experimenting with a pretty wide range of influences.
Our next release will probably have a pretty fun mix of seemingly incongruous material (at least when described in words) but should still sound familiar, from elements of industrial club, German underground, Afro-Cuban and Latin rhythms to Delta blues and Michael Jackson. Overall, I think the songs are a bit edgier, weirder, less driving Indie rock and a bit more dance. I’m personally pretty excited about the new territory we’re exploring.
What gave you the idea and motivated you to convert your tour bus to run on vegetable oil?
I don’t quite remember the inception of the idea, but it was born of a duel necessity of reducing carbon emissions to ease the conscience and make a statement as well as reducing our fuel bill, making touring a legitimate possibility. American cities are so far apart and hauling around all the people and gear it takes to put on a show (even at the indie level) requires a big vehicle that costs a lot of fuel to drag around.
What do you like most about the music scene in LA and what would you change?
I think there’s a lot of talent out here and a lot of innovation. I honestly don’t follow the scene very closely. Just like anyplace else, there are also a mega heap of artists who haven’t yet found their direction or developed their skills or discovered their own voice. So the mecca of music naturally becomes also the mecca of bad music.
Though it’s easy to forget (and quite convenient too) that we were there too. No one figures it out right away. And some people never do, but that’s the nature of things. I suppose, however, that my one true complaint is that LA has a tendency to focus very heavily on success and that can lead to a lack of focus on creativity. I think the goal should be a proper balance.
What’s the best way to succeed in the LA music scene?
It seems that there’s no right or wrong or better or worse way. There are definitely a few key elements that have to exist or come together in the right way. Exposure, for one. But how much and what kind of exposure is highly debatable. There are bands who blow up with only a few shows under their belt because a song went viral. Other bands pound the roads for 10 years before the world decides to declare they’re brilliant. If it ever happens to us, I’ll gladly tell you that story.
How did you end up signing a deal with Hype Music?
Our producer has known the Extreme Music people for a number of years and turned them on to us as they were developing the deal.
What are some of your favorite local bands?
Alfa, Of Verona, Dead Sarah, War Paint, Opus Dai and Group Love all come to mind.
What are your favorite bars and clubs for live music?
Moscow, Hemingways, Avalon and Spaceland are a few good ones, but I really don’t go out to see bands, very often. I get my fix when we play shows, I suppose.
Where is the best late-night meal?
I live in the Arts District downtown and like to keep it local, mostly. Pizzanista is my favorite. It shares a roof with Tony’s Saloon, which has a nice old-fashioned bar feel, but the clientele mostly look like lumberjacks, and there’s a service window from Pizzanista’s kitchen to Tony’s bar, so you can order food, run over to the bar for a pint and within minutes, they’ll slide your amazing slice of triple white cheese pizza thru the wall. It’s pretty one-of-a-kind.
What is the best place for used musical instruments in LA?
Craigslist! I haven’t stepped foot in a music store in years, I’m afraid. Then again, I’m not really a musician. The only gear I need are microphones and a few electronics. I’m so damned broke all the time I have to hunt for the absolute cheapest deals and take advantage of the other musicians who get themselves into financial trouble and have to hock their old gear in a hurry to pay rent. What a bunch of vultures we are!
Where can we find you next?
Hopefully Germany. We’re currently in negotiations for a release in select markets in the EU for next Spring with an indie label. So far we’re looking at Germany, Benenlux, Poland, Spain, Switzerland and a few others. Unfortunately, France and Sweden aren’t currently on the list.
Who would be your dream band to go on tour with?
Right now, I’d really love to hit the road with Yeasayer. I feel like we’d have a lot to learn from them on the artistic, intellectual and business levels, to name a few.
