Discussion: Lias Saoudi from Fat White Family discusses survival, challenges in the music industry, and the album Forgiveness Is Yours
Fat White Family's Struggles and Ambitions Amidst Industry Challenges
In the ever-evolving world of music, British band Fat White Family is navigating through challenges and expressing their ambitions. The band, currently on their second record with Domino Records, is led by Lias Saoudi, a co-founder of the group who is known for his interest in karmic redistribution and the reallocation of funds in the musical landscape.
Saoudi has expressed feelings of frustration with the industry, stating that the world has agreed not to pay artists fairly. This sentiment is reflected in the band's new album, which Saoudi sees as more of an experiential, running art project rather than a commercial success.
The band's songs are written in a more intimate, lyrical, and literary style, a departure from their previous work. However, the recording of their fourth album, "Forgiveness Is Yours," was not without its own struggles. The band experienced significant internal conflicts, culminating in the departure of guitarist Saul Adamczewski during the recording process.
The impact of Adamczewski's departure on the band's signature sound and commercial success is not immediately clear. As a founding member and a key creative force, his absence could plausibly influence the band's musical direction. However, concrete outcomes depend on subsequent releases and critical or fan response.
Saoudi has also expressed his views on the state of indie rock, stating that low-life indie rock is a dead medium now and a hopeless anachronism. He believes that banality smothers everything in the current industry, a sentiment echoed by his comments on the progressive arm of capitalism convincing people that it's not worth pursuing indie rock anymore.
Grassroots venues are closing while arena shows are going through the roof, a trend that Saoudi finds concerning. Despite these challenges, he does not comment on the continued success of indie bands such as The Wombats and The Kooks.
In the face of these difficulties, Saoudi expresses a desire for a place to live and normal relationships as he approaches 40. Part of the band's idea, he mentions, is to prove these people wrong and resist through sheer self-destruction. The completion of the album, he stated, was a miracle due to the interpersonal issues within the band.
As Fat White Family continues to push boundaries and challenge the status quo, their journey serves as a testament to the resilience and creativity of artists in the face of industry challenges.
The band's financial struggles, largely due to industry unfair remuneration, are reflected in their view of the new album as an experiential art project rather than a commercial success. Saoudi's concern extends beyond music, with him criticizing the current state of indie rock, suggesting that progressive capitalism seeks to dissuade people from pursuing it. In the financial sector, there's a concerning trend of grassroots venues closing while arena shows prosper, a situation that Fat White Family navigates amidst their own internal conflicts.
