CHESTER FRENCH

Interview by Natalie K.
May 14, 2009
http://www.chesterfrench.com

D.A. Wallach and Max Drummey were Harvard college students just looking to get jobs after graduation and scored big time Pharrell Williams scooped this duo up and signed Chester French to his label Star Trak. These boys have a sound that crosses over many genres in fan base and their nonchalant manners paired with dry humor make them all the more appealing. You have a chance to check them out live this fall when they are one of the openers for the much anticipated Blink 182 tour.

Estrella: For the record, can you please state your name and what you do in the band?
D.A.: I’m D.A. I sing and along with Max, write, produce and engineer our music.
Max: I’m Max and I play instruments, write, engineer, produce music and I can arrange stuff.

Estrella: How did you guys end up getting signed to Pharrell Williams record label Star Trak?
D.A.: We met Pharrell our senior year of college, he heard our demo and he gave us this chance to tour and record to have the job.
Estrella: Were you guys being looked at by any other labels?
Max: Well yeah.
Estrella: What made you guys to go with him?
D.A.: We just liked him, got along with him and just vibed to his approach with music. He was willing to give us the creative freedom to do exactly what we wanted to do.

Estrella: You guys have been getting a of praise from other artists for your debut album Love the Future, are there any that stand out?
Max: I think the fact that they are even listening to it is really exciting.
Estrella: Were there any artists that surprised you that gave you praise?
D.A.: I don’t think any were a surprise but it was pretty awesome that someone like Q-Tip or Questlove from The Roots would take the time to check it out and say nice things about it, so that’s awesome.

Estrella: What exactly is your Jacques Jams?
D.A.: Yeah the Jacques Jams vol. 1 endurance album it’s a collaboration with a lot of other artists.

Estrella: After your tour with Lady Sovereign I saw you guys were going over seas, who are you going to be there with?
D.A.: I think we are just doing a couple of festivals then a bunch of just pub gigs around the UK, I think we are officially touring with one person.

Estrella: Is there a place over there that you have never been yet, that you are excited too?
Max: I’ve never in my life played Brussels so I’m curious to see what that’s like.

Estrella: What is one of your favorite lines in one of your songs?
D.A.: I would say ‘Mother Fucker’ because I have not heard mother fucker in any rap songs.

Estrella: What is something you have always wanted to do but have not done yet?
Max: Scubadive, yeah that would be awesome.
D.A.: I would like to go on a submarine, maybe.

Estrella: If you could see any band or artist perform any song live what would it be and why?
Max: I would want to see Prince perform “Darling Nikki” or something. Anything perverse from him because he is too into God for that now and that is an opportunity that I missed which I’m very upset about.

Estrella: Is there any song that you never get sick of hearing?
D.A.: There are plenty of songs that I never get sick of hearing.
Estrella: Any that come to mind?
D.A.: It would have to be “Saturday Night Special” by Lynyrd Skynyrd.

Estrella: Any final comments?
Max: I just want to say you did a great job, I’m really pleased with the way this interview has turned out.