Mike Stroud and Evan Mast are the testicles behind Ratatat, whose latest album LP3 will be released in July by XL Recordings. Somehow between touring, collaborating, and recording, they managed to dip their balls in some remixes, including Bjork’s “Wanderlust.” They took a timeout to talk to us about their new album and the third greatest Arnold movie of all time.

photo by ashes57 @ DOUR Festival 2008

Your newest record LP3 has a different arsenal of sounds, but it’s still undeniably Ratatat. What’s different from your previous records?

This one’s better.

You better let us be the judge of that. I do like the harpsichord and the Wurlitzer that pops up. I miss the cat growls from Classics, but LP3 has a pleasant set of juicy balls. That’s a compliment by the way.

Come on, would you really have been happier with it if we’d brought back the wildcat roar? Do you really think we could have gotten away with doing that twice?

I think every song by every band should have at least one cat growl. Or maybe that whip-snapping sound. That’s cool, too. This was the first time you mixed an album at a studio? How was that?

It was great. We were going in after hours, so it’d be about 9pm to 5am every night. We’d do a track or two a day. This guy Adam was the assistant at the studio. He’d be working there during the day and then he’d be up all night helping us. Then he’d drink some beers and hang out afterwards. I don’t think he ever really slept.

photo by ashes57 @ DOUR Festival 2008

He was running on love. I hope you gave him a lot of hugs.

I don’t recall either of us embracing Adam while we were mixing. He was certainly a nice enough guy, but we didn’t really have that kind of relationship.

Maybe you guys thought that, but I know for a fact poor Adam is writing sonnets about his broken heart. You fucking bastards. Why did you decide to mix LP3 down to _ tape? I love tape as the next asshole but it’s a pain in the ass.

We just thought we’d give it a try. Its really not so bad, you just have to have a sliver of patience. Imagine you just spent 12 hours in a dark little recording studio mixing a song, listening for every detail, making each minute adjustment…you can wait 30 seconds for the tape to rewind before you make your master, it’s not a big deal. Plus when you leave you’ve got a big heavy reel in your hand, you feel like you’ve actually accomplished something, not just added another tick on your iPod.



Fair enough. I lack in the patience department.The video for “Mirando” features a remix of scenes from Predator, which might be the third best Arnold movie (Twins is obviously #2). Is there anything you won’t remix?

I wouldn’t remix a BLT. That's perfect as it is. Sometimes fancier cafés will try to dress it up with some wasabi mayonnaise or avocado slices. That’s bullshit. I’m all for innovation, but when you’ve find a perfect balance, just stick with it.

Fact: Arnold and Jesse “The Body” Ventura both went on to become governors. But did you know Sonny Landham, the dude who plays the Indian (with a feather, not a dot) ran for governor of Kentucky a few years ago?

Indeed. Did you know that the guy who wore the predator suit is our vice president?

Oh shit, that wasn’t on Wikipedia. Predator vs Alien. Pick one.

We did. We picked Predator.



WRONG ANSWER. Alien. Come on! Analog vs Digital. Pick one.

Frigits.

Don’t get cute with me.What can we expect from your next Remixes?

What next remixes?

OK, you haven’t started on it. Get your shit together. Now what what’s lined up for you guys? Touring? Collaborations? Hookers, blow, etc.?

Touring mostly. I think we’ll be doing that for the next few months.

Have you ever heard remixes of your tracks where people laid down vocals?

Yeah sometimes we’ll get mp3s in the mail. Nothing good yet…I’ll let you know.

Why do you hate vocals so much?

Mainly because of the lyrics. Good Lyrics are nearly impossible to come by and I wouldn’t want to get involved with vocals unless I came by some good lyrics.


Whatever, Dad

Dad! Does your dad have a vagina? Because I do. It’s awesome.

We’ll we’ve certainly just blown our cover. Now everyone will know this is an email interview. Dad.

Listen, it’s not my fault you guys are touring and working your nuts in the studio. Cool’eh won’t send me anywhere. Not even over the bridge to Brooklyn. I just trapped a cockroach underneath a Tupperware container. I live in a dump. What should I do with it?

If it were me I’d flush it. But since you’re a journalist I think you should pigeonhole it.

There’s only so much you can say about a cockroach.


http://www.myspace.com/ratatatmusic