Favorites: Bloc Party, 3EB, Gaslight, Tokyo Police Club, The Kooks, Pete Yorn, Andrew McMahon
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Photo by Jason Creps
Chicago electro-rock band My Gold Mask is about to unleash the impressive new album Anxious Utopia on March 4th via Moon Sounds Records. The album has been receiving high praise, and for good reason. The balance of intense electronic elements with addicting pure pop-goodness will resonate with many listeners. Today we’re excited to premiere the Professor Fox remix of the band’s hit “Connect.” Learn a bit more about the group in our brief interview and get ready to dance with the remix streaming below the interview.
For those unfamiliar, tell us about how you met and formed the band.
Jack: Gretta and I met years ago at a rooftop party in Chicago. We just immediately clicked and started making music together. We realized we had a lot of the same friends for years but somehow never crossed paths till that night. We started My Gold Mask as a way to just experiment with new ideas and create our own world together. Eventually we crossed paths with James Andrew and it kept evolving from there.
Anxious Utopia comes out soon and we’re excited for everyone to hear it. When & where did you write this album and how long was the recording process?
J: it was written over the course of 2 or 3 years. We immediately started writing singles which eventually evolved into the new album. And a lot of other ideas went through many many changes before they became what you hear on the record. We worked closely with our producers Sanford Parker and Balthazar de Ley in fleshing out the ideas.
Gretta: I had a really strong bout of anxiety that had us switch to just releasing singles for awhile but I think it actually turned out to be a good thing for the album in a way, because it really forced us to take more time with the songs.
What were the first & last songs you wrote for the album?
J: The first fully completed song was ‘Dangerous’. But like I said, some of the other songs began with a little idea here and there that kept reshaping into the final version. We even played some early versions of these songs live that were never used again. The last completed song was ‘In Diamond White’.
What is the current musical landscape like in Chicago? What has your experience been as an up-and-coming band in Chicago?
G: We love the variety of music coming from Chicago right now. As for our experience, I feel like we have always been a bit of an outsider. But we love Chicago. It inspires us in so many different ways.
J: We’re super excited by a lot of new music we’re hearing in Chicago. People are becoming less afraid to break the mold of a typical rock band template. Not that there’s anything wrong with that, it’s just nice to see some creative variety.
Will this be your first time performing at SXSW? What are you most looking forward to?
J. We’ve actually done SXSW a few times now but we feel more prepared for this one than any of the others. In the beginning me and Gretta were just a two piece trying to figure out how to do what we wanted live. When you couple that with getting used to being on that festival conveyor belt, it can be tough. But with James and this new record we feel really confident in the live set and can’t wait for Austin and the surrounding tour.
G: I am looking forward to the energy again. There is nothing like navigating the insanity that is SXSW. It is completely unpredictable no matter how many times you have under your belt. Also, we get to see friends bands in a totally different setting, which is rad. I’m really looking forward to our showcase at Iron Bear this year with Mr Kitty, who I adore. Sharing a stage and meeting up with friends in that sort of setting is always a festive experience.
Today we’re premiering the ProfessorFox remix of your track “Connect.” Could you tell us a little bit about how both the original track and the remix came together?
G: ‘Connect’ came together over a long while actually. It had a few faces before finding the one we kept. The song, to me, is about the need to connect on a more physical level even if it is through the means of devices. I wanted to convey that no matter what is going on, just stop for a second and connect IRL. It’s crucial we don’t lose that as humans, because it feels like we are coming close to becoming void of touch. It’s like…”touch me dammitt!!”. It’s also about not giving a fuck about what people think about you or the relationships you keep.
J: ‘Connect’ is one of those songs that had many versions. I think we wrote like four different choruses. We’re stoked ProfessorFox wanted to do a remix, he’s an awesome producer. We love hearing a whole new vibe on a song from another artist and we love collaborating whether it’s with someone like Psalm One or Mr. Kitty or whoever. It’s like turning your song into a meme in a weird way ha.
Stream the awesome remix for “Connect” below and be sure to stay updated with the band online for more:
