Fanboys Anonymous

Last year, I set out in search of inspiration. I needed something, anything to help me overcome this huge case of writer's block. I was sick of listening to music that felt, for lack of a better word, industrialized. Everything on my playlist sounded the same—all engineered in the same pretty package.

Left to Right: Keller, Antelman, Camacho. (Credit: Dirk Mai)

After a random search online, I came across "Back to Bed," a song off of Lydia's latest album entitled Devil. It was love at first note; each song has its own style with soulful lyrics and influential music. It's safe to say that my writer's block became non-existent after that album.

Indie rock band Lydia consists of members Leighton Antelman, Matt Keller, and Justin Camacho. Though the members have been shaken up a bit over the years, the band has actually been around since 2003. Each one of their releases is uniquely diverse. Which I love because it shows that the group can explore their creativity without complying to certain molds. I recently had the pleasure of interviewing their front man, Antelman, with some pretty off-the-wall Fangirl questions as well as finding out what the band has planned for the upcoming year.

Fanboys Anonymous: You're going to be on tour in the UK later this year. Excited? In the movie, The World's End, the characters go on this pub crawl called "The Golden Mile." Any plans on creating your own golden mile while visiting?

Antelman: Sure, I'd love to. I've never seen that movie but how can you go wrong with a pub crawl?

FA: Would you rather have a wand or light saber?

Antelman: Never was much of a Star Wars fan and haven't seen any of the Harry Potter movies. I guess I'm a horrible person.
(No, not horrible, but the Trekkies may be looking to recruit you now.)

FA: It's been over a year since Devil came out, and I heard you were working on a new album. What can fans expect? Anything different—a new sound perhaps?

Antelman: Si, we are in fact writing a new album at the moment. To be honest, I'm not sure what to expect. Turns out better that way. You shouldn't go in trying to write a certain sound or song.

FA: Do you consider yourself a Fanboy of anything?

Antelman: I'm a pretty big fan of Black Jack + Whiskey.

FA: What is the most interesting thing you have learned while touring other countries?

Antelman: Australians are nuts! In a good way.

FA: Do you have any other projects outside of Lydia right now?

Antelman: I am releasing my second album with the project I sing on called The Cinema this summer. We have been working on it for almost 2 years now off-and-on, and I'm really excited to finally get it out.

FA: What is your favorite TV show of all time?

Antelman: I think it's got to either be Breaking Bad or It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia.

FA: Do you play any video games? If so, what are you playing right now?

Antelman: I've just recently got into playing online with a a friend of mine on the other side of the US. You can go through levels and blow shit up with someone 3,000 miles away, it's remarkable. I've never been much of a gamer but it's quite fun. We been playing Army of Two as of late.

FA: If you could sum up your entire music career with just one song, what song would you pick?

Antelman: I'm not sure if you mean a song of my own or just a song in general…but let's go with in general. I'd say off the top my head "Tiny Dancer" by Elton John.

FA: On a perfect day, you would like to be found…

Antelman: Being happy somewhere. The method doesn't matter.

I was super excited to get to ask him my questions, and I can't wait until their new album! I hope you all will check out Lydia's music, and if you are in the United Kingdom be sure to check out a show. Be looking out for my next interview with a cast member Studio C. Please take a moment to share your thoughts with Fanboys Anonymous in the comments section.What do you think of their music?