Somewhere just beneath the hazy, slasher-film, psych-rock smog of Phantom Family Halo is an unassuming songwriter and a pensive band that spends as much time working with Bonnie “Prince” Billy as they do hunched over in droning dissonance. Dominic Cipolla and the rest of the marauders continue the battle of dark vs. light with their latest project, a two-part album release beginning with When I Fall Out. The first of the pairing is the darker of the two, it’s companion ‘light’ side to be released later this year as Hard Apple Moon.
Amidst all that, multi-instrumentalist Cipolla briefly filled us in on all the happenings
Congrats on the new album. Things look like they are really starting to break for you. What do you think it was that finally has enabled people to take notice?
I’m not sure. It may just be the fact that we have been going at it since 2006. Maybe people pay more attention when they realize you have been at it for awhile and it’s not just a phase. I think my approach to songwriting has also gotten less alienating to people. But with or without the attention I would still be writing and recording these songs.
When I Fall Out is one of two releases by Phantom Family Halo in 2012- a dark and light album. Has it been easier writing within the dark or the light?
I think both ends of that spectrum lend all kinds of inspiration to work with. So I just follow whatever sparks the initial idea.
What moments of When I Fall Out are you most proud of and feel best represent what Phantom Family Halo stands for right now?
"Dirty Blade" is a good example of a recent approach I’ve had to writing songs that are more in a "traditional" way, so I’m pretty happy with that. I think with "Light Year Girl" we achieved a tongue and cheek glam vibe that I’m proud to have caught on tape. It’s hard to say really though because the whole thing is kind of one piece of music with 8 movements within it. So I’m proud of it most as a whole.
The term ‘psych rock’ has been used often to describe Phantom Family Halo. How does that term resonate with you and how would you most describe your sound?
I guess that term is fine because we have elements of "psychedelia" and "rock" in our music. Personally I have no description for it. But I do think our "sound" would be in a more comfortable place in the world if it was 1972 instead of 2012. But I could be totally delusional about that as well…
What musically gets you off the most? The dark jamming or the melodic verses or something else?
I get something out of all those situations. There is a place for all of it. I enjoy trying to write pretty soft melodic songs just as much as zoning out on nothing but frantic distorted noise for a half hour.
What has the move to Brooklyn done for you creatively and collaboration wise? Other than the higher cost of living – do you wish you had done it sooner?
It has been a great source of inspiration. I love New York City and it is an endless source of stimulation. I have met several musicians here who are now in our band, so it’s been working well for collaborating. The decisions I have made over my life all needed to happen to lead to now. So I’m glad I got here when I did.
You recently released The Mindeater EP, a split EP with Bonnie "Prince" Billy. What was the most important thing you gained from that collaboration? Is there anything you might implement into your permanent live show from that tour?
Just some good insight into ways to approach song writing and not painting yourself in a corner. I want to feel like I can put out whatever I want to under the name Phantom Family Halo. It was a pleasure to do that tour with Will and I came away from it more confident in the idea of being able to try different things musically. He is so good at what he does so it was really amazing to see how he operates every night.
The Phantom Family Halo lineup has been a steady work in progress and lately has been its most consistent and stable. How do you see it progressing?
I think the line up right this very moment is excellent. We are just trying to be the best we can be in a live situation. So really we are just working on that being satisfying to us.
What else should we expect in 2012 from you all?
Well part 2 of When I Fall Out is called Hard Apple Moon and it will be released this fall. I am currently working on a very toned downed acoustic type record that should also be out at some point this year. [After] SXSW in March [we’re] hitting the road with an excellent band in the spring, more details to come. Then more summer/fall touring that’s still coming together. So there should be a few good chances to see us this year.
