The Polyphonic Spree's leader is having an especially good day. It's Father's Day and the eve of a release party for his band's album, The Fragile Army, which marks a new sound, look and label.
After a long struggle to hold the 24-piece group together and get the album made, Tim DeLaughter (above, center) is finally about to realize the next phase of his dream.
"I'm pretty stoked – it's been a long time coming," he says.
After being dropped by Hollywood Records, DeLaughter and his wife, Julie, persevered.
"We finished the album on our own, actually," he says. "We financed the rest of the record ourselves." Here's more:Q: Why did you get rid of the robes?
A: We've never really been married to one style of garment. I know the robes played a role for quite some time ... but now this thing is like a mint green color with a lifeline going through it. It's all about unifying the group.
Q: The record also is a little bit different.
A: Well, I think this is the closest we've ever come to capturing the band in a live state. It's always been difficult getting the two worlds to play together. ... This record is a lot more electric and urgent than any we've put out before, but that was the goal.
Q: Where did this sense of urgency come from?
A: Lyrically, I feel there's definitely a poke into the political climate because I feel like that's affecting everybody's lives. It's kind of hard not to address that, being a songwriter. The title track, "The Fragile Army," is an ode to Bush song.
Q: Why did you decide on The Fragile Army as the name of the album, though?
A: It doesn't just represent our group, but can represent the people. The people are starting to decide the fate of the country, which usually takes a leader to bring people together. I think in this case it's completely the opposite. There wasn't really a leader and never really has been in the last eight years, so it's brought this country together and it's been left up to the people to come up with their own conclusions.
Q: The band always seems to have polarized critics. Has that been interesting to watch from the inside?
A: It's always been better for me to have people scratching their heads than being middle-of-the-road. There are people that feel vehemently on both sides about the Polyphonic Spree, but I'm always about pushing the envelope instead of being mundane. I enjoy the tenacity of it.
Paul Salfen
•Members of the Polyphonic Spree will sign copies of their new album tonight at Good Records. 1808 Greenville Ave.
9 p.m. to 1 a.m. Free. 214-752-GOOD.
•The band's CD release show is Saturday at Granada Theater with Jesca Hoop. 3524 Greenville Ave. 7 p.m. 17 and up. $22. 214-824-9933.
