The Sapiens are in their third year as a band. The dance rock band from Chicago has recently made several must-hear lists, and was even chosen by the Chicago Sun-Times as one of the top ten bands to watch in 2008. With a show in Chicago tonight, Thursday April 3, at The Note (for more info visit www.thenotechicago.com), Shotgun Reviews had a conversation with the band’s lead guitarist, Charlie Nadler. Read on for a look at the band’s roots, plans, and dreams, then head over to their site to have a listen.

Shotgun Reviews: First thing’s first. How and when did The Sapiens become a band?

Charlie Nadler:The band formed in 2005 as a foursome of Columbia College grads who had left other various projects to start something new. I’d embellish this with an anecdote about our first show or something, but I didn’t join The Sapiens until about a year later. So I won’t.

SR: What does your band have to offer that the music industry doesn’t already have?

CN:I’d say that every band with a unique sound has something to offer that the music industry doesn’t already have. Or if not a unique sound, at least a sweet gimmick. We don’t really sound like anyone else right now, so the question is: Does anyone want what we have to offer? I think so. People are ready for something different.SR: How would you describe your music to someone who’s never heard it? Convince the readers to tune in.

CN: It’s really high energy dance rock with soulful vocals running at punk-speed, but everyone seems to hear something different when they listen. I like that about us!

SR: The live experience is important for any band, especially an indie one getting started- what is your draw for a live show?

CN: Our live show is what we really pride ourselves on. We dress up and go all out for every show we play, and that energy tends to be contagious. Our last show was at capacity, so I think people are catching on.

SR: What are your favorite bands?

CN: There’s a long list that changes every other day. This week: I’ve been giving another listen to The National lately — they’re great. And I’m still stuck on In Rainbows (Radiohead). But I can’t speak for the whole band – we all have very different tastes and influences.

SR: Who’s your dream touring partner, as far as bands go?

CN: Arctic Monkeys or Muse; I think as a band we could agree that those two would be up there.

SR: Any upcoming tours in the works?

CN: There are a few different things in the works, but we’ll definitely be doing some Midwest touring this summer, specifically in Detroit and Madison.

SR: Of course, the background’s great, but it’s really all about the music- where can people listen to your stuff?

CN: People can check out tracks off our latest EP Vs The Hornet on our Myspace, and if they like, it’s all available on iTunes, CD Baby, Snocap, and at independent record stores in Chicago.

SR: Any other things you’d like to mention/promote?

CN: We’re going back into the studio this month, so check back soon for new songs, wont you?

Stay tuned tomorrow for a full review of The Sapiens in concert.

This entry was posted on Thursday, April 3rd, 2008 at 10:55 am and is filed under Interview, Lucas Siegel, Music. You can subscribe via RSS 2.0 feed to this post's comments. You can comment below, or link to this permanent URL from your own site. Your comments will be moderated but will appear as soon as humanly possible.