Q&A: Princess Goes Get Vulnerable With New Album ‘3’
INTERVIEW
INTERVIEW
☆ BY MILA MATEJCEK ☆
Alexander Thompson
SIDE BY SIDE, JUST WITHIN REACH—Longing cuts through the static of love and heartbreak in Princess Goes’ new record, 3. Sonically, the record is diverse, taking the listener on an expansive ride that soars over valleys of danceable electronic and mystical new wave. Beautiful singles like “Heart 2 Heart” and “French Kiss” saw an early release, while the full album drops on Oct. 30.
The band is comprised of Michael C. Hall (vocals), Matt Katz-Bohen (keys, bass) and Peter Yanowitz (drums, programming). The trio originally met on stage in the 2015 Broadway musical Hedwig and the Angry Inch, becoming fast friends and eventual bandmates. Now, over a decade later, the group has grown into themselves, crafting an identity that reflects their shared talents and experiences—whether it be film, music or something more, their music is proof of lives well lived.
Luna caught up with Princess Goes’ very own Yanowitz to talk musical inspiration, motivation and identity.
LUNA: What’s the inspiration behind the new single “Heart 2 Heart”?
YANOWITZ: “Heart 2 Heart” is a song about the band, about this ongoing art project between three friends. Life can get sticky and complicated out in the weeds, but this collaboration endures. It's gonna do what it will do, it's bigger than us, and we just need to get out of its way and let it rain.
LUNA: “Heart 2 Heart” is the opening track to the new LP 3, releasing this month. Why choose this song to open the record?
YANOWITZ: Our last three records all started with a more ambient intro...something that eased you into the album. This time, we wanted to flip that on its head and start bashing—if you thought the record was gonna be like this, think again!
LUNA: 3 is shaping up to be the band's most expansive and immersive release yet. What new sounds, emotions or story have you explored with this release?
YANOWITZ: This one feels more personal for some reason. They're all personal, like members of our family—but this one feels raw, emotional and fragile, like it almost didn't happen...which is the truth too.
LUNA: What was your favorite part of creating the new record? What was the most challenging?
YANOWITZ: It was amazing to work with producer Brandon Bost at his studio in Greenpoint. The first time we didn't self-produce. It got us out of our comfort zone and that worked out well. The sonics on the album definitely feel like next level for us. The challenge of making it [was] that we weren't all in the same city that often. We had to piece it together, and scheduling was a bitch.
LUNA: Princess Goes originally met onstage in the 2015 Broadway production of the rock musical Hedwig and the Angry Inch. What was it like meeting and becoming friends? At what point did you have that moment where you knew you wanted to keep the good vibes going and form a band?
YANOWITZ: Matt and I got really close on the Hedwig tour...and we decided to hang and jam when we got back to NYC. We made a couple of instrumentals, “Vicious” and “Love American Style,” both on our first self-titled EP. We knew we were on to something, especially after Mike heard them one night and offered to sing.
LUNA: Because of your shared theatrical background (particularly so with drag, like in Hedwig and the Angry Inch) would you ever want to bring that energy to your music or live performances by performing as elaborate characters or in costumes?
YANOWITZ: Hell yes…that would be fun.
LUNA: When you all think about your music in relation to your identity, what feels most important for you to share with the world?
YANOWITZ: Our emotions, our vulnerability, our first make-out session…something personal, real and human.
