American Princes: A Band's Band

Other People, the third album from Little Rock, Ark. rock quintet American Princes, is more than aptly titled. Multifaceted and viscerally charged, Other People's mojo stems from the kind of blood, sweat and tears chemistry that only happens when a band of highly dedicated bros mixes it up in the studio and bonds over every synergistic note. A lesser group would likely splinter from the strain of trying to mesh David Slade's cracked voice rock anthems with Collins Kilgore's smooth tenor mood-pop but American Princes make the process of having two wildly differing singer/songwriters steering the ship sound effortless.

Each has spotlight moments that make it clear they could hoist an entire band on their own shoulders wondrously, for Kilgore the twitchy Talking Heads-ish pop gem "Watch As They Go" for Slade the sinister world in shambles fist pump inducer "Real Love," which only makes their decision to join forces that much more impressive. Working with producer Chuck Brody, most notable for helming albums from hip-hop luminaries like the Wu Tang Clan, American Princes heretofore prickly and slightly southern indie-rock is retrofit with sleeker sonics and tauter rhythmic sensibility on Other People. Their press bio jokingly refers to Other People as their "'80s record" but one listen to "Gravel" will show this is true in the best way possible. American Princes has a knack for coating Reagan-era collegiate underground sounds with a shiny pop sheen in a way that hasn't been pulled off as nicely since the Psychedelic Furs were riding "Pretty in Pink" to the top of the charts.

Bolstered by the recent addition of yet another singer/songwriter, guitarist/keyboardist/vocalist Will Boyd, American Princes' musical Cerberus is currently roaring through the country and tearing the roof off joints, showcase the sheer joy of high voltage multi-part vocal harmonies and leaving guitarmageddon in their wake. David Slade, a founding member of the band and its lone singer when American Princes formed in New York City back in 2002, talked with Reveille about sharing the spotlight, the importance of community in keeping indie music alive, and why he's no longer a Pixies fanboy amongst other topics.

Click the link below to read the interview and watch videos of American Princes performances.