In a triumphant convergence of nearly three decades of musical mastery, Interpol, who led New York's post-punk revival, descended upon Bangkok last weekend as headliners at Maho Rasop Festival along with international acts like UK punk rockers Idles, Japanese post-rockers Envy and Canada's Alvvays.
Another chapter in the band's Southeast Asian adventure, this performance followed a stop at Jakarta's Joyland Festival. As the trio -- singer and guitarist Paul Banks, guitarist Daniel Kessler and drummer Sam Fogarino -- prepared to take the stage in Bangkok, Life secured an exclusive interview with Interpol's guitarist Daniel Kessler.
For those who came of age in the early 2000s, Interpol, with a brooding garage rock and 80s inspired post-punk sound, were emblematic figures. Their distinct aesthetic, clad in sharp matching black suits, resonated as much as their anthems such as Obstacle 1, Leif Erikson, Evil and Slow Hands. At the one-night Bangkok show, the trio maintained their signature look, donning matching black suits backstage as they meticulously prepared for the night's performance.
Guitarist Kessler, who played an integral role in shaping Interpol's sound, shared insights into the band's evolution and experiences during their year-long tour.
"It's a great privilege to be here in Thailand. It's the first time I've ever been here," Kessler said as he expressed gratitude for the privilege of touring globally, emphasising the profound impact of realising his teenage dreams. "But when you've been doing this for like 20 years, it's very easy to forget about everything. Flying from place to place all the time, you get used to it. So you just have to remember that it's a great privilege to be here and get excited about the things you're gonna discover. It's amazing to play music to people who haven't heard your music live before."
Despite the routine nature of constant travel, Kessler urged appreciation for cultural discoveries.
"We have always wanted to visit Asian countries. But sometimes things were presented in a way that did not make it viable or possible. Sometimes it's obviously costly to travel or send your equipment far away. It takes a lot of planning and logistics but we've always wanted to come here."
Delving into the band's first foray into Southeast Asia, Kessler reiterated a longstanding desire to visit Asian countries. While they had performed in Singapore in 2018, Jakarta and Bangkok marked uncharted territories. He detailed the logistical challenges of touring internationally, emphasising the efforts that finally made their Asian tour a reality.
"For me, it's the most exciting thing to be able to go somewhere I haven't been before," Kessler said, embodying the spirit of exploration that defines Interpol's journey.
The cover of Interpol's album The Other Side Of Make-Believe.
With a nod to the diversity of global audiences, Kessler shared his observations on the unique energy each culture brings to their shows. Drawing a contrast between Asian and Western audiences, he recognised the distinctive qualities that shape the concert experience.
"Every place you go is different," he noted, highlighting the attentive focus of Japanese audiences and the exuberance of Mexican fans.
"There's a different energy in each place we visit. And that's what makes it very interesting. When I went to concerts when I was a kid, I was never the guy jumping up and down or going crazy. So who am I to judge?"
The conversation veered towards the practicalities of maintaining health during tours. Kessler told us how the band members keep their spirits fresh.
"I guess we feel pretty weak from travelling. We all exercise when we can and try to take care of ourselves."
Daniel Kessler.
He also shed light on the band's collective approach to staying physically and mentally fit, balancing exercise with exploring new environments.
"I try to see things and make the most of my day. I don't just stay in the hotel room," Kessler said.
In contrast to what the rock star image might have been in the past, Kessler said that the band has rarely had any typical rock'n'roll routine like partying all night or trashing hotel rooms.
"I think there was a time where we partied pretty hard but we don't party like that now," he laughed. "I wouldn't want to trash any hotel that someone's got to come clean up. It's not fair for them at all."
When asked if the band ever gets fed up playing the old catalogue over and over, Kessler said that never been an issue. This led to a discussion on how the band selects a set list, with Kessler providing insights into the delicate art of balancing old and new tunes.
"When you're playing old songs, you find out why you wrote them in the first place, so it never feels boring to me."
The interview took a turn towards the band's creative process, specifically the recording of their latest album The Other Side Of Make-Believe. Kessler clarified the fluid nature of their approach, emphasising the absence of predefined notions of their sound. Responding to Paul Banks' earlier interviews on an altered vocal approach due to separate recording spaces, Kessler underscored the organic evolution that shapes each album.
"We never defined what we should sound like," Kessler asserted. "I think what Paul was talking about was that traditionally when he wrote vocals, it was at a rehearsal space with us playing music and him elevating the voice above the music. Because now we're writing a lot of things separately, when he was trying to sing, he was singing above a recording in an apartment and trying not to be too loud. So this time, since he got to work from his home, he ended up singing quietly and finding maybe a different way of expressing himself," Kessler added.
Kessler also shared his favourite tracks from the latest album, especially those he loves to perform live. Into The Night emerged as a particular favourite, which he described as a "left-of-centre kind of song that was very fun to play". He also expressed affection for performing Something Changed and Fables.
Covering a journey that has spanned decades and crossed continents, the post-punk icons left their mark on Bangkok by weaving nostalgia, exploration and sonic mastery. As the final sounds resonated through the grounds, it became clear that Interpol's performance was a shared experience -- a tapestry woven with elegance, emotion and the timeless power of music.
Interpol. (Photos: EBRU YILDIZ)
