Crossing The Pond For Stellastarr*

By: Ian Pointer

Thursday June 08, 2006

Drummer Arthur Kremer sat down and discussed Stellastarr*'s new tour, their current album, and garlic mashers.
"Why on Earth are you here, man?"

It's a valid question. The last time that Arthur Kremer, drummer of Stellastarr* saw me was a rather dull day in Oxford a month previous, where it was drizzling down with rain, murky, and the band were running late. Now, we're in the parking lot of the Cat's Cradle in Carrboro, four thousand miles away, with clear skies and sizzling sun. It's a welcome change.

I try to explain myself. That I used to live here and I'm on holiday. A rather odd place for a British person to end up in, but there you go. After pointing out some of the sites of the town, we sat down and discussed Stellastarr*'s new tour, their current album, and garlic mashers.

It's been a while since the band's last album. Arthur explains: "It was ready for a while, but there's a great deal of politics and strategy and all kinds of bullshit. It involves timing, the 'right way of release' and blah blah blah. Obviously, we wanted to release it when it was done, but they have a plan."

This was said back in Oxford, by the way. Not North Carolina. I don't think it matters, but I don't want to indulge in subterfuge any more than necessary. It was a bit of a shock. To me, anyway. I was expecting something a little more optimistic, but the Oxford rain is enough to knock the happiness out of anybody. Initially, things seem a little happier in Carrboro. However, a discussion with the tour manager about how the rider is almost non-existent due to budgetary constraints seems to darken things a little. But Arthur isn't too phased; when faced with a lack of rider, he decides to check out the options around the concert hall.

"I think the UK tour got better as it went on. The crowds seemed more interested. Oxford was one of the worst gigs that we've ever had. I do like touring; it's a little difficult when it's so bitter outside, because you don't always get a comfortable shower. But it's nice, playing in front of different people."

I ask about the rather strange nature of this tour, an established band co-headlining with Editors, relative newcomers. Was this something that was forced on them? "No, no, this was something that came up through our management, and we thought it would be a good idea, because Editors are a hot buzz band, and so we'd try to feed off each others' fanbase. The headlining nights were worked out previous, but it's pretty much split down the middle. They're very nice, unpretentious, humble. Good people."

This makes a lot of sense. I remember a night a few years ago in Carrboro where Idlewild had the misfortune to play the Cradle straight after a UNC vs. Duke game. While 99% of the town was celebrating on Franklin Street, the Scots played to a group of around twenty. In a hall suitable for around a thousand. So I can see what Editors get out of the deal. But it must be a little harsh for an established band to be stuck down the bill on half their tour.

Which leads to another line of thought. If the band is in this position, then what's the future of the band? "There's no plans to break up or anything. And I guess if we want to do a third album, it'd be great if we could, but a lot of that stuff depends on the record label. But yeah, we like making music and we want to continue to do it."

Back in Oxford, the first thing Arthur said to me was "Please don't ask about the asterisk. Or whether we know Interpol." Does he feel that the New York connection is a hindrance to the band? That everybody expects you to know each other? "Everybody wants a hook or a story or whatever. It was never a hindrance. I've always been proud to be from New York."

And it's there that we decide to call it a day, on a proud, defiant note. Stellastarr* may not be world-conquerers with their new wave stylings. They may have been passed by bands they used to tour with, like The Killers. They find themselves facing an uncertain future. But Arthur heads off to the organic supermarket with a smile on his face, ready to give a splendid performance later on in the evening. They're happy to be riding this tour all the way to the end. And then? The future might perhaps not be too bright, but there's still all of America and Canada to cross by bus first.