Thursday, August 28, 2008
With music that can at once sound both chaotic and skillfully orchestrated, Ad Astra Per Aspera has become one of Lawrence’s most unique local acts. The band is headlining a show at the Granada, 1020 Massachusetts St., on September 6. Frontman Mike Tuley took time to chat with Jayplay.
How did you get into playing music?
When I was 9, I saw the movie La Bamba, and I thought playing guitar looked like a fun lifestyle. It was my first real exposure to rock music. My parents had sold most of their rock records when I was a kid, so I definitely didn’t grow up with The Beatles or anything like that. A lot of my friends did, but I didn’t ever listen to The Beatles until I was in my 20s. Then I got into metal and Easy E in fifth and sixth grade. I had friends who would make me secret tapes. We’d skateboard and smoke cigarettes and listen to Anthrax and Easy E and our parents would find our tapes and break them. Nirvana, Dinosaur Jr., Sonic Youth, Mudhoney--all those bands kind of came into our orbit when we were like 14, and then that’s when I started taking guitar lessons.
Do you play other instruments besides guitar?
Right now I play in three bands. I play drums in a hard-core band called Dark Ages, and I play bass in a band called Hairy Belafonte.
What kind of music do you listen to?
I listen to a lot of music from Africa, like Afro-pop. I was really into Ethiopian jazz and Nigerian funk and all kinds of stuff. But also, touring with Dark Ages, I hear a lot of hard-core and punk.
What do you do when you’re not playing music?
I just started going back to school. I graduated from college with a BA in 2004, but I’m going back now. I’m going to get a BA in history.
Where are your favorite spots in Lawrence?
I really like the Love Garden. I didn’t really drink much when I lived in Lawrence until the last year I lived there, but I definitely liked going to The Replay Lounge. We used to walk along the river and just kind of follow the train tracks out of town sometimes and walk through farmers’ fields. I like the fact that in Lawrence you can literally walk out of town.
How would you describe Ad Astra Per Aspera’s sound?
People always say we are experimental. I think that gives people the impression that we are difficult to listen to. I don’t really think that’s the case at all. I think we play some really catchy stuff. I would just say we’re a weird, fun rock band.
What is in Ad Astra’s future?
We’re really into projects right now. We’ve decided we want to do four seven-inch records. Additionally, this fall we are forming the Ad Astra Arkestra, which is going to be a 15-piece orchestra. We’re going to record an EP under that name. I think it’s going to be fantastic. I’m excited to see where it goes.
Stage presence: Ad Astra Arkestra
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