Street roots., April 01, 2013, Page 8, Image 8

street roots
8
Indy band Ironic'
content to influence
youths with deep,
thoughtful lyrics
BY SERIOUSLY
G U E S T W R IT E R
o one suspected that a group of
20-something musicians who live off
their parents’ trust funds would
form the band “Ironic.” But probably no one
wishes they hadn’t.
The group’s second release, titled
“Deep,” is eagerly awaited by a younger
audience of new listeners in need of a fresh
sound. The album follows the band’s widely
heralded inagural effort, “In Love.” We
recently caught up with the popular lead
singer Lonnie to talk about their latest
work.
N
Seriou sly: What inspired the lyrics on
your first album?
L o n n ie: I don’t know. Life is just, you
know, so boring at times, so full of cliches. I
remember driving down the road and
thinking to myself. How ironic is it that the
curves in our lives go both left and right? I
was in love with the road at the time. I just
wanted to go straight. I was so confused,
but inspired at the same time. The stars
were so bright. I wrote some words down
and it just sort of happened from there.
Se rio u sly: Wow. T hat’s deep.
L o n n ie : Yeah, that’s how my girlfriend at
come so far as a band. I would characterize
this tour as poignant and different or an
incongruity between what is expected and
what actually is; “madness, an ironic fate for
such a clear thinker, it was ironical that the
well-planned scheme failed so completely.”
It really is beautiful.
Se rio u sly: Who are your role models?
L o n n ie : Oh wow. I would have to go
pretty far back into the history of roc -n-roll
for that. People like Colin Meloy and Ben
Gibbard have been trailblazers for a
heartbroken generation. Tegan and Sara
had a lot to do with it. They’re all just so
ironic, if you know what I mean.
the time reacted.
Se rio u sly: What would you say to your
Se rio u sly: So, what can we expect from
fans?
this album?
L o n n ie : Don’t be scared to wear your
L o n n ie: Well, you know, Seriously, when
I turned 2 3 ,1 just realized. Life is so hard.
It’s ironic. I’ve come a long way since the
album “In Love” came out when I was 2 1 .1
drank a lot then. I guess, with this album I
wanted to capture the deepness of it all.
Se rio u sly: OK. So what can we expect
from this tour.
L o n n ie: I will play my heart out. It’s
ironic, you know. I go out there and play
these intellectual ballads and the people
cheer. They drink beer and cheer. We’ve
heart on your sleeve.
Se rio u sly: Anything else you would like to
add?
L o n n ie : I want to thank my fans for
being with us through all of the ups and
downs. It’s so hard being a successful
musician in today’s landscape. There are so
many tall trees and shadows and different
paths one can take. I feel so lucky to be
taking this one. Love! xoxo!
Find out more about
Street Roots a t
www.streetroots.org
Make my funk the P.Funk
I want my funk uncut
(make mine the P)
Make my funk the P.Funk
I wants to get funked up.
(wants to get funked up)
I want the bomb,
I want the P.Funk (yeah)
I want my funk uncut.
(make mine the P)
Make my funk the P.Funk
I wants to get funked up.
— Parliament Funkadelic
Lyrics from Ironic’s latest hit “Apology Song.”
I ’m really sorry Janey
B u t your tri-bicycle has been stolen
I forgot to watch it for you
Til you came back and fell on your face
Honestly, I did n ’t care at all
I was feeling really sorry Janey
A n d I spent all m orning writing these lyrics
Everyone was saying
That you’ll take the news freakishly
Somehow I think I ’ll get o ff easily
I gave her my arm
When I left her locked
Outside the Green Street Food Farm
I was ju st running in
I hit my head on the door
I came out, she was with Billy
A ll that was there was a pair o f used clogs
Left where your tricycle was
Guess I ’ll never see poor Janey again