It’s no secret that I love EULA. I love the energy of the music, I love how it twists and flails like an out of control Tilt-a-Whirl of noise and and energy, I love how the words make no sense, except for when they make perfect sense in a futurist percussive way, I love the bass that swings wildly like a pendulum between aggressive punk ferocity and rocket car dance propulsion, while the drums, the drums, the drums, the drums keep wild time with snare snaps so sharp you taste them.

But having seen them several times live and having listened to Language of Threat way too many times as can be healthy, I didn’t know much about the band beyond the songs, so when Alyse agreed to answer a few questions for me, I was thrilled.

How did you get started in music? Do you come from a musical family?
My grandfather was a very successful Scottish Piper, and my Uncle lives in the bluegrass hills of North Carolina and plays in lots of bands. He’s the one who gave me my first instrument – a clarinet. Then I went on to learn piano, saxophone, then guitar.

When I was growing up, music was ALWAYS on at my house. I’ll never forget sitting in my room as a little girl, with my sister blasting Expose and Lisa Lisa in her room, and my brother blaring NWA and Public Enemy in his room. What’s a 6-yr-old to do? ha. Now that I think of it, maybe that’s why my music can be very aggressive, yet light & dancey all at once.

How did you meet the other two members of EULA? What compelled you to start a band together?
I met Jeff (bass) at college in New Haven, we were both DJ’s on 88.7FM (WNHU). We were also in a lot of the same music classes. I met Nate (drums) through mutual friends at school as well. Two of my goals at school were 1.) to Graduate, and 2.) Start a band. I met both goals. EULA actually started off as a 4-piece with both Nate and I playing guitar. Then our bassist left, so Jeff played for us. Then our drummer left, so Nate learned drums and here we are today! Wow, it all sounds so simple, but it definitely wasn’t.

I noticed on the your blog that you talk about creating songs yourself, playing all the instruments in at least once instance and walking into the studio with the finished parts. Is this common? How much of EULA is collaborative?
I’ve always written songs on my own. It is the most natural to me. I’ll either have words in my head and form them into a melody, or I’ll have a guitar or piano part in my head and let it grow from there. When I started EULA, it was my first “band”. I had never written with anyone else before. Luckily I had a bunch of songs to bring to “practice”, so it was a smooth transition. It was definitely very cool the first time something was written while we were jamming out. Now its 33/33/34 – either I will bring a song in and we’ll create parts, or Nate will bring in a song, or the 3 of us will create one.

With songs like “Rosie” and “Texas Stampede” you pull in some distinctly twangy riffs, do you listen to a lot of older rock and country? If so, are there any artists whose music really speaks to you? that you’d like more people to hear?
It’s funny because Nate wrote “Rosie,” and I wrote “Texas Stampede.” I think my “Texas” was a response to his “Rosie,” ha. But anyways, I like a lot of music that is unpretentious. I’m big on that. A lot of artists that I admire can be humorous and sincere; clever and silly all at once. It’s a great juxtaposition, and it creates layers and dimension to what I’m listening to. I always admired Black Francis & the whole Pixies crew, for their wackiness and genius. David Byrne too. Also PJ Harvey. Every record of hers is different, which demonstrates her depth. She’s my #1! I also want to give a shout out to Tip and Phife of Tribe, I absolutely cannot leave them out of this conversation.

Where do you draw your lyrics from? Are they actual events, conceptual?
It’s definitely a mixed bag. When I write a song with music first, the lyrics are more conceptual and almost secondary to the song. Sometimes I’ll even choose words based on phonics rather than meaning. But when I write words first, then put them into lyrics/melody, the words have a greater meaning and it is more personal.

Can you talk to me a bit about the New Haven scene? I’m curious if there are any acts which we need to desperately check out.
The New Haven scene is like one of those Icelandic geysers – at the bubbling stage. Lots of bubbling and bubbling. Soon, it is going to burst. I just wish we had more journalistic support when it does. Definitely check out Fake Babies, MT Bearington, and The Vultures.

Pulling back, what are you listening to now?
Dinosaur Feathers is always a staple in my listening rotation, as well as Karen Carpenter because we’re in the middle of recording right now, and I like to practice singing to Karen. I’m reeeeally digging the new LCD Soundsystem record, and Ive been getting into a lot of Delta 5 and Fuzzbox.

Who makes the best guitar sound on record right now?
I can sound like everyone else and say Steve Albini, but I’ll just say that I like my guitars blasted and dirty. Yum.

Do you ever consider a song “finished?” I ask because I’ve seen you several times live and every few months you add new flourishes to older tracks like “Fight Riff” to the point where they become unique entities.
What a lovely observation! Thanks. I tend to add little flourishes here and there to keep things spicy for myself. It’s always a bummer when you do something really cool to a song onstage, but the song is already recorded and pressed and GODDAMMIT! you wish it could be redone. But that is the beauty of a live performance.

How did you get involved in a film? Do you act? How did they come to select you? Can you tell us a little about that?
I wrote and filmed a lot of funny little skits in high school and college, it was so enjoyable. But to be completely honest, I always thought acting was silly. Like, why would someone choose to be dramatic when normal life is too dramatic as it is? I never understood that. But, I’ve realized I can choose roles that I actually enjoy playing. In a week shooting begins on a new film by Ryan Casey. I play an aspiring musician who’s very fed up with life and wants to leave her town. I can definitely relate to that.

I know you’re recording, and we’ve already heard a bit of the new tracks that you’ve been working on, what is the plan for getting those out? Are you aiming for a full album or another EP?
Our ultimate plan is to release an LP. It’ll be our first. We’ve only ever done EP’s. But who knows, we might change our minds and release 2 EP’s off of it. I just hope these recordings can get us on some good shows. And I LOVE playing festivals so hopefully that too.

When you become dictator for life, what’s the first law you pass?
I would legalize same-sex marriage & marijuana.