whimsy overdose: an interview with au revoir simone's annie hart

When I spoke to Annie Hart of Au Revoir Simone it was immediately clear that every ounce of the Brooklyn-based synthpop band’s whimsy is more than just an act.

“I think our sound is pretty much a product of what sounds good to us. These songs just kind of erupt out of our time together… I guess we’re just whimsical. I’m pretty whimsical,” said Hart.

The trio of pixie singer-songwriters, Hart, Erika Forster and Heather D’Angelo, made a name for themselves with “The Bird of Music” in 2003, the perfect soundtrack for star gazing or feeling the grass between your toes.

A former urban sociology major interested in promoting environmentally friendly city planning, Hart’s life took a dramatic turn when Au Revoir Simone (named for a line from Tim Burton’s “Pee-Wee’s Big Adventure”) formed in 2003.

“I still don’t know how I came to be [a professional musician]. It just happened. A lot of people in bands are like “I want to be a rock and roll star,” but we’re just like 'Oh cool, let’s make songs' and 'Oh cool, no wants to put out our record, we’ll do it ourselves.' It happened very naturally.'

The trio originally intended to cover “cynical, evil-sounding” songs in their unique ethereal, electronica sound, until deciding that creating new music “was almost easier than learning someone else’s songs,” noted Hart.

Two years later, they are back for their third album, “Still Night, Still Light,” released on Tues., May 19, on the record label they formed themselves back in 2005.

Lusher, denser and more structured than the bands previous releases, “Still Night, Still Night” maintains the twinkling, playful vibes that made the band successful. The album is populated with thoroughbred horses, comets and dark winters.

“A lot of our songs are kind of about being happy with what you have and that the world is what you perceive it as,” explained Hart.

Even when speaking she is lyrical, both soft-spoken and descriptive. Her airy language reflects the same creative sensibilities that give the band lyrics like “You make me wanna measure stars/ in the backyard with a calculator and a ruler baby.”

“Song writing is really a special sort of magical time that happens when the three of us get together and are on the same wavelength… just playing songs over and over and getting them perfect in our eyes.”

Hart is so down-to-earth and friendly, it’s easy to forget she’s a budding rock star; when she tells me she’s been listening to lots of Bikini Kill for inspiration lately, we detour from our conversation to gush over Kathleen Hanna.

“They’re [Bikini Kill] so good. I only just started listening to them again and I’m like ‘Why did I ever stop?’”



p.s. Sorry for the long absence. Summer's just starting. Things are about to get really good.