Sometimes you just want a good anthem chorus to shout along to. Good thing Chicago power rock quartet Archie Powell & The Exports are right there with you. With a full-length album and EP already under their belt, the group is sharpening their craft and finding a more concrete, rowdier signature in their latest album, Great Ideas In Action, to be released in May.
It's music that you don't have to think about with lyrics that you can whole-heartedly stand by. The result is loud power pop-tinged alt-rock that serves perfectly as a cathartic release. Powell is just like every other post-college 20-something. The lyrics, albeit an interesting dark contrast against the bright simple chords, are a sincere diary that epitomizes the toils, worries and emotions of every modern young adult.
However, it's the group's on-the-dot execution of alt-rock with an edge of power punk that makes Great Ideas In Action shine through. It's not the most inventive or revolutionary recipe, and it's easy to see where the group got their inspiration from, but perhaps that's the point. Powell finds solace in the fact that it's music that one doesn't have to think too hard about. The album, cohesive in its familiar chords and feel-good progressions, is addictive enough for multiple listens in one sitting.
North by Northwestern caught up with Powell about the upcoming album and his love for certain American creations.
Catch Archie Powell & The Exports at their record release show at the Subterranean on Friday, April 27.
North by Northwestern: What were you trying to do with this latest release and how is it different from your earlier releases?
Archie Powell: I kind of find it medium rare...the first one was medium, if that makes sense. I wanted to kind of reflect more of a live show when we ended up doing louder, more energetic songs with this one. It seemed like a logical decision guess.
NBN: I see you say the title track of your album is a Calvin & Hobbes reference. Care to share?
AP: Calvin and Hobbes is the best thing in the world besides Coca-Cola. As far as American things created by human, that's top three for sure. It refers to a moment when Calvin puts an entire lunch into a thermos….I recommend everybody read Calvin and Hobbes, read the whole thing cover to cover so you can find that strip.
NBN: So your father was a violinist at the Chicago Symphony Orchestra. How did that influence you as a child growing up? How did you end up doing power pop?
AP: I really don't know. I think it has to do with the generation I was growing up in. He was an older dad; he was born in the late '30s. He grew up with classical music. Obviously he was always playing in the house, I'm sure that had some sort of influence on me. I played cello, but it ended up being more fun playing music you didn't have to think about.
NBN: Can you elaborate on the juxtaposition between power pop and darker subjects in your lyrics?
AP: I mean it's just that I've always liked tunes that are kind of really accessible and bubble gummy on the outside, but when you take the time to read the lyrical content, it's darker. It's more interesting than having things that are obvious, it's got more staying power if there are different things to discover every time you listen to it.
NBN: You guys were covered by NPR and are getting lots of attention now. What's that like?
AP: Feeling pretty good. I learned long ago to not expect anything ever… I'm grateful people are listening to it.
NBN: You guys are on a huge tour right now. What's that like and what's in the future for the band?
AP: Usually we go out by ourselves….This is one of the the bigger tours we've been on. We're just going to keep playing behind this record as much as we can and just keep writing songs.