Theo and the Skyscrapers
by Daniel Robert Epstein for SuicideGirls (http://suicidegirls.com/)

Many were sad when the Lunachicks broke up. But hold your head high because Theo Kogan has bounced mighty high with her band Theo and the Skyscrapers. The new band includes many of Theo Kogan’s past collaborators such as Dimitry Makhnosky, Sean Pierce and Chris King. They’ve just released their new self-titled record and Theo and I have chatted all about it.

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Daniel Robert Epstein: What made the Skyscrapers come about?

Theo Kogan: I’d been doing electro-y performing for about a year or two. It was me on a video projection and then two dancers and I was loving it. It was really cool to do that after The Lunachicks stopped playing because I really didn’t have the strength to start a band and create those relationships again. Then after doing that for a while, me and Sean just kept writing and then everything fell into place really nicely so it was just time. It was very lucky and I love playing in a band again.

DRE: But it doesn’t seem like you were missing it.

Theo: I did miss it. It was great to do the other thing and I’m sure there’ll be more of that. But relying on a tape to get you through a set is terrifying because when you’re playing in a band and suddenly the drummer breaks a stick or somebody breaks a string, you can get through a song. But if a backup tape or a CD goes out then you’re done and there’s no saving it. So there was a terror every time I played a set.

DRE: Did that ever happen?

Theo: Luckily, it did not. But it is nice to interact with people because the energy is so different.

DRE: Was it difficult to build a fanbase or did enough of your fans show up?

Theo: It is amazing how incredibly open and loving the fans are because they hopped right on and the shows are getting bigger and bigger. Even some of the earlier shows before the record was released were packed.

DRE: Were you nervous about people not showing up?

Theo: Always. All performers are nervous that people won’t show.

DRE: What was the inspiration for the album?

Theo: We just wrote and wrote and kept playing and then we knew that it was time to do it. Our “fifth member”, artist Rob Roth helped us create the concept because people don’t buy music so much anymore except from iTunes or they steal it. We wanted to make it a package that had a bang for its buck so that’s why we put the DVD on too.

DRE: Did you have a producer or did you do it yourselves?

Theo: We did it ourselves. It’s great to do it on your own terms and not to have to worry about you’re going into overtime. I really like working with other people too so I can’t say that we’ll do it this way forever. But I love working with Sean as a producer because we’re so on the same page. I love that it’s like making this mark in the world that will be there after you’re dead.

DRE: What’s going on with the Lunachicks?

Theo: Go-Kart wants to put out some stuff but I don’t know what’s going to happen. I know that the home video is going to come out on DVD if it’s not out already. Then there’s been talk about an old B-side thing but I really don’t know.

DRE: You have no interest?

Theo: No, it’s not even that. It’s just the classic fucking bullshit fuck up label shit where every year we have to go and bang on the door and be like “What the fuck? It’s time to pay me month.” That kind of stuff. I could vomit. Then nobody can find a signed contract. It is classically gross.

DRE: Did that kind of stuff happen much before the band broke up?

Theo: Oh yeah. While we were playing we were doing well and making money and now that we’re done we’re still selling records. We get checks every year but we feel that we’re getting ripped off. That’s the bottom line but there’s no real way to know. We get statements sent to us that we’re always wary of. We always think about putting something else out but then we think we’ll get screwed some more.

DRE: Is Morpheus your label?

Theo: It’s an indie label in California and they put out a couple of Toiletboys records. That’s how we came in contact and they were excited and willing to do it.

DRE: Are they able to do much for you at this point besides what you need to be done?

Theo: That’s all we need right now. The next thing that’s happening with them is they’re going to put together our website with flash and a way to buy songs via the website

DRE: Do you see doing Skyscrapers for a very long time?

Theo: I hope so. I’m loving it.

DRE: Have you guys been overseas yet with this band?

Theo: Not yet. Actually after we talk I’m going to email this booking agent because the album is coming out in Australia and Japan. I love touring and I can’t wait to go back to all these places.

DRE: Do you see doing more technology based stuff with the band?

Theo: Sure, what we plan to do for the next album is to do a video album. We’re working also on a theater piece and there’s a little of it on the DVD called Screen Test. We’re working with Rob Roth to do a bigger version of it in November.

DRE: What is it exactly?

Theo: Rob does body projections. So he’ll film me or whoever else is his subject beforehand and then project you on top of you. It’s really weird. Then there’s the whole script that’s written with lighting and video projection.

DRE: When you say script you mean there’s a story?

Theo: Yeah, there’s a story and whoever is being projected on the screen tells the story. Sometimes we wonder whether people are going to understand it but you never know.

DRE: Have you gotten any new tattoos lately?

Theo: I got a couple new ones on my legs and a little one on my wrist. Actually I was going to get another this week but me and two girls were going to go get matching tattoos but then one of the girls’ moms died so we didn’t go.

DRE: Do your tattoos mean much to you or are they just designs?

Theo: I think it’s different for everyone. It drives me insane when people are like, “well what does that mean?” They’re like, “well doesn’t it have some deep meaning?” I’m like, “well, yes, but I don’t want to explain it.” People will disrobe to show you some fucking dolphin on their shoulder. I hope I’m not insulting you.

DRE: I have no tattoos. I’m terrified of that. But if I ever did it would certainly not be a dolphin.

Theo: They have meaning. I have guardian angels here and there and sometimes it is an image I’ve been thinking about for a while or something I’ve always wanted. The thing I’ve got on my wrist is a bunny baby safety pin.

by Daniel Robert Epstein

SG Username: AndersWolleck

web address: http://suicidegirls.com/interviews/Theo+and+the+Skyscrapers/