by Seriously
Guest writer
No 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.
Seriously: What inspired the lyrics on your first
album?
Lonnie: 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.
Seriously: Wow. That’s deep.
Lonnie: Yeah, that’s how my girlfriend at the time
reacted.
Seriously: So, what can we expect from this album?
Lonnie: Well, you know, Seriously, when I turned 23,
I 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 21. I drank a lot then. I guess, with this
album I wanted to capture the deepness of it all.
Seriously: OK. So what can we expect from this
tour.
Lonnie: 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 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.
Seriously: Who are your role models?
Lonnie: Oh wow. I would have to go pretty far back
into the history of rock-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.
Seriously: What would you say to your fans?
Lonnie: Don’t be scared to wear your heart on your
sleeve.
Seriously: Anything else you would like to add?
Lonnie: 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!
Lyrics from Ironic’s latest hit “Apology Song.”
I’m really sorry Janey
But your tri-bicycle has been stolen
I forgot to watch it for you
Til you came back and fell on your face
Honestly, I didn’t care at all
I was feeling really sorry Janey
And I spent all morning writing these lyrics
Everyone was saying
That you’ll take the news freakishly
Somehow I think I’ll get off easily
I gave her my arm
When I left her locked
Outside the Green Street Food Farm
I was just running in
I hit my head on the door
I came out, she was with Billy
All that was there was a pair of used clogs
Left where your tricycle was
Guess I’ll never see poor Janey again
This article is part of Street Roots’ annual satire edition released each year for April Fools Day.
This article appears in 2013-04-01.