When Cleveland, Ohio’s own The Lighthouse and the Whaler released their first album in 2009, they arrived with a sound that was very much derived from what “modern indie” had become: buoyant melodies, lots of acoustic work, pointed lyricism, etc. The band, formed by Michael LoPresti and featuring his brother Matthew (as well as current members Mark Porostosky and Ryan Walker), had a live energy which was immediately relatable, but their debut album did what most debut albums did: established the group and their sound, but not much happened in terms of waves.
When it came to 2012’s aptly-titled This is an Adventure, however, their sound grew stronger, more muscular, and more altogether more confident. The group started netting more high-profile gigs, but in a 2013 interview with our own Jonathan Sanders, LoPresti noted how, when it came to discussing current jams, that he loved M83’s last album, noting how he loved “the danger of it, it’s really cool and I’d love to emulate a little of that on our next album; I love how impressively big the album feels. I’m the kind of person who really gets into an album one at a time.”
Well guess what?
Mont Royal, The Lighthouse and the Whaler’s third full-length effort, arrives with a bigger, sleeker sound, ditching string sections for synthesizers, making not a dance album but a more forceful, dramatic record than anything they’ve done previously, a sign of the group’s growing ambition. To help celebrate the release, Ryan Walker answered PopMatters 20 Questions, revealing an affinity for all things Lego, a step-by-step guide for how to steal a pirate ship, and why quitting his job to see Sigur Ros live was the best move he ever made with his life.
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1. The latest book or movie that made you cry?
The latest movie that made me cry is a tie (because I can’t remember the order I saw them in/they both feel significant) between Inside Out and Me, Earl, and the Dying Girl. But to be honest, I could see a very unemotional movie and be moved to cry in some way. In the words of Jewel, “I’m sensitive and I’d like to stay that way.”
2. The fictional character most like you?
The fictional character that I think is most like me is Paulie Bleeker from Juno. In general I feel like I relate to most characters Michael Cera plays, but this one sticks with me, not because I have every gotten anyone pregnant, or because I run cross country, but he is kind of soft spoken and sensitive and is attracted to a more extroverted, outspoken woman. And I think that also describes me.
3. The greatest album, ever?
The greatest album ever is OK Computer by Radiohead. I remember the first time hearing the album. The beginning for me starts out very mysterious and it draws you into the rest of the album. The album is almost 20 years old now and I really feel like you can feel their influence in a lot of modern rock and indie music. One other album that I really like is Aja by Steely Dan. There are so many albums out there that it’s hard to pick one, and that’s why I didn’t.
4. Star Trek or Star Wars?
Star Wars. I liked Star Wars so much when I was younger that I got mad at my little cousin for also liking it a lot too, because I liked it first. This was without realizing that Star Wars is a huge craze and beloved by many. I like Star Wars, but I’m sure there are many more people out there that really, really are in love with it. This year for my birthday, my friend bought me Star Wars Legos and that was a pretty nostalgic moment on account of both Star Wars and Legos. Anyway, I would just like to take this time to apologize to my cousin for my irrational anger directed at him.
5. Your ideal brain food?
I really like podcasts. One of my favorites right now is You Made It Weird with Pete Holmes. He mostly talks to comedians, but he also talks to spiritually inclined people as well as scientists about their craft. They also cover sex (or love), and God (or the meaning of life) with each guest. It’s very mind opening and is able to get me to think about many different areas of life. Pete Holmes’s ability to sit down and and ask someone a few questions, which then prompts his guest to say his/her deepest thoughts on life is amazing to me. It’s also funny, too.
6. You’re proud of this accomplishment, but why?
I’m proud of this album because, as with any accomplishment, when you put it out there you can say. I put this out into the world. It marks your progress as an artist. I am proud of where we have landed creatively, because I think it is a very mature place, but also a place where we have opened the door for many more creative endeavors.
7. You want to be remembered for …?
One thing I would like to be remembered for is starting a venue that is holistic in nature. It would have really great hospitality for artists, but also be a positive contribution to the community it lives in. And definitely a killer sound system. I think I am really attracted to the idea of harmony, so I would like to see it as a place where people who are different could come together and be unified by something, whether it’s music, art or comedy.
8. Of those who’ve come before, the most inspirational are?
Speaking of Legos, I would say whoever invented Legos. Legos are really inspiring in general, because you have a few different building blocks that are able to create anything you can imagine. Like the same blocks can be used to make a spaceship, or a city. I think it’s kind of the same for music. Everyone is given the same basic elements, but creativity really makes anything possible.
9. The creative masterpiece you wish bore your signature?
Legos.
10. Your hidden talents . . .?
I like to do stand up comedy, when we aren’t on the road or busy writing music. It’s a cool outlet for me that gives me the opportunity to think about life and just be silly. When you are going to open mics a few times a week, you really start feeling part of a community. It’s really awesome to see someone work out their jokes and progress over time. So I guess my hidden talent is watching other people get better at comedy.
11. The best piece of advice you actually followed?
I remember working at a job, it was one of my first jobs after college, and one of my co-workers told me that there was more than this, and I needed to go somewhere where I felt value, even if it means taking a risk. So I quit my job to go see Sigur Ros in New York City. The show was amazing, even transcendental. The whole experience was one of the best in recent memory, because I feel like it was in the present moment. When I got back, I started a new job with flexible hours and a few months later I was asked by The Lighthouse and the Whaler to play on tour with them and the rest is history.
12. The best thing you ever bought, stole, or borrowed?
I’m not sure what category this falls under, but in Pittsburgh there is this overturned boat on the shore of the Allegheny River called the Pirate Ship (actually I might be the only person that calls it the pirate ship) that if you climb on top of you can get a very unique view of the city. It looks better at night. All you have to do to get there is 1. Walk on a trail. 2. Once you see an opening in the woods, follow that opening down a very steep slope. 3. Once you get to the bottom of the slop you will see the pirate ship. 4. At this point, you have to climb a tree to get on to the top. 5. It can be tricky, but once you are at the top the pirate ship is yours! Assuming it belongs to pirates, I’d say the pirate ship is the best thing I’ve ever stolen.
13. You feel best in Armani or Levis or . . .?
I usually get most of my clothes from H&M. Right now I’ve been really enjoying wearing black jeans and a whitish tee shirt.
14. Your dinner guest at the Ritz would be?
I would like to have dinner with Mr. Rogers. He always appeared to be his genuine self in any situation and cared deeply about others. I would be nice to sit down and talk with him about what it means to tell people they are important through art.
15. Time travel: where, when and why?
I’m pretty interested in the future right now. It feels very interesting to me where we will end up, like where does technology actually go? How far into the future do we have to go to get to a time that resembles Star Wars? [Ed. Note: but, historically speaking, that was a long, long time ago …]
16. Stress management: hit man, spa vacation or Prozac?
When I am stressed I really need to take some time to relax and sit back. So, my answer would be spa vacation. Going to the beach sounds nice too. I wasn’t able to go swimming all summer so that has been on my mind.
17. Essential to life: coffee, vodka, cigarettes, chocolate, or . . .?
I really like to have a morning coffee. Usually in the wintertime, I like to drink black coffee, especially if I am outside in cold temperatures. Otherwise I like a nice shot of espresso, usually in the form of a Cortado. In the evening time I prefer sipping on a nice pint of beer. I’m really interested in grapefruit IPAs right now, specifically Ballast Point Grapefruit Sculpin.
18. Environ of choice: city or country, and where on the map?
The city! I’ve always really wanted to live in New York, like Manhattan or Brooklyn. It’s always been a dream. Every time I go to the city it has been a magical experience, like the time I went to see Sigur Ros.
19. What do you want to say to the leader of your country?
I would just like to say “Hi. I’d be curious to know about his day to day life.” Maybe ask, “Hey between you and me, is it worth it?” It seems crazy to me to want to be president. It feels like most of your decisions are already decided for you, either by the party you represent or your team of advisers, but in the end you’d solely take the blame for whatever happens. I think it takes a lot of courage.
20. Last but certainly not least, what are you working on, now?
Right now we are working on touring around our new album Mont Royal. In my spare time I’ve been trying to spend some time writing jokes and working on my stand up set.