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Behind The (AITA LookBook) Music: An Interview With Human People

The soundtrack for the 2008 Art in the Age Fall look-book video needed to be both dreamy and edgy, so we decided to seek out the music of Philly’s up-and-coming Human People. The song we selected, “The Fantasy of Waking With You That Leads to the Loss of Job and Peace” is an emotional mix of synth-pop and dream-pop which easily meshed with our video’s early-morning, carefree visuals.

I recently had the chance to sit down with the band’s two main songwriters, Mike Robinson and Ken Taylor, to discuss their music, their influences and the current state of the industry. Check it out:

So tell us, what/who is Human People?

M: Well, Ken and I used to write songs together in a a band called King God. We parted ways after our first (and only) record and I went on to form Holland Boys, a one man Gay European Electro Force/Farce (which Ken came up with the name for). It was short-lived and soon after I met up with Ken again…at the Willow Grove Mall…on lunch break. But, yea, basically HP is a more focused effort with an emphasis on collaboration. It is mainly synth-pop, but it seems to be evolving…especially with the influences that Ken brings to the table like The Kinks and The Beach Boys.

K: In our past projects together, Mike and I wrote music primarily as a duo. This time, we believe that the inclusion of more minds will make for even better music. In that regard, we have decided to bring on a full group (live drums, bass guitar ext.), with people like Ash from Aunt Dracula and our friend Biaggo.

What is the band’s core philosophy?

M: I guess the core philosophy is to write well-crafted pop songs that Ken and I enjoy, as well as to incorporate what Biaggo and Ash can bring to them. Biaggo’s dark hair and ’stache are definitely a great start.

K: For me it’s walking a fine line between being true to ourselves, yet making sure that that truth is entertaining.

Can you describe the Human People songwriting process?

K: Right now Mike or I will write a large portion of a song and the others will fill in the missing gaps. The music seems to take the perfect direction that way.

M: Usually it’s a back and forth thing between myself and Ken. Now that we have a new practice space in Philly, the process that Ken just mentioned will be better realized.

What was the inspiration behind the song used in the Art in the Age video?

K: It was heat of the moment kind of thing. We got hooked on a loop and just kept layering it. We both felt very free that day. The original thought was to open up with it live, it’s big and repetitive. The song is a great way for the audience and us to loosen up at the same time.

What is the future of the band? Where do you see it heading?

M: (jokingly) There is none. We just broke up.

What is the best activity to be doing while listening to Human People?

M: That’s a good question. I guess I’d have to say driving through the open roads of Bucks County and into the city during the early hours of the morning.

K: It’s too early to say for me. I hope that the answer will be drugs, as long as nobody is actually doing drugs.

Here’s a fun one for you guys. If Human People were a mythical creature, what would it look like?

M: A slow-motion white horse trying to get it’s unicorn horn off in the fog.

K: A baby cyclops that eats light.

Great answers! If you had to play a show for an audience of one, what famous person would it be?

M: Woman. Womanhood as a whole. If the world was populated by dudes, I probably wouldn’t be a performer. No joke.

K: If we can use the dead, Stanly Kubrick. If not, P.T Anderson (the next Kubrick). I would love for our music to be in one of his movies.

What other art inspires/influences you besides music? Specific films/film genres, literature, fine arts?

M: I have been reading a lot of Oscar Wilde and watching a lot of Roman Polanksi films. I have been getting more into older films, even just the classics like Hitchcock’s Vertigo, which I must have watched at least 300 times. His film processing and cinematography are pretty amazing when you give them a close look. I guess the more that I think about it in relation to the music, 80’s fantasy films are a big influences. The type that are creepy but always get resolved happily in the end. I think it’s their grandiose nature that appeals to me and is something that I try to bring to the music.

K: Films are often the inspiration for me, mainly horror. After a good horror film or any good film in general I feel like picking up an instrument and killing someone with it.

When you are not working on band related things, what are you doing? Do you create other types of art? Hobbies that you have?

M: My life is like the movie Office Space, but I try to make it as awesome as possible. In terms of art, I am actually getting into doll-making for my niece, and I have been into meditation for a while now.

K: I try to watch as many bad movies as time will allow. I like coming up with ideas for films, writing the first ten minutes of it and then never touching it again.

It is definitely a unique time to be a musician. What are your thoughts on the art of music and the music industry in this day and age?

M: Well, it’s definitely a hard industry to be successful in these days. However, when people ask me if I am “making it” I just respond by saying “Yes, I am making it…making music everyday.” I mean it’s what I do and will continue to do, regardless of money.

K: As long as music is done with right intentions it’s usually good. Most of us can find at least one artist we like in every genre. It doesn’t seem like there are as many prolific groups as there used to be though. It seems like everything is one and done.

What are your thoughts on the Art in the Age brand? What words would you use to describe the brand and/or the store?

M: I am into the DIY feel of the brand and the Walter Benjamin concept, and I like any store that promotes Thom Lessner’s stuff. The store is great and it doesn’t feel as pretentious as some other boutique-like places that I have seen.

K: For me, it’s like the gifts you get that aren’t always the most expensive but are the ones you remember.

Thanks for your time guys, and thanks for providing the music for the video. Awesome job!

M: Thanks for the opportunity!

K: It was our pleasure!

Check out some more pics of Mike at the AITA store: