Get Serene with Lampland
On Lampland's third record they provide listeners an opportunity to live within the thrill of those in-between moments
I do think of the songs as fantasies. In a way there are almost no true lyrics on the album. The truest lyric might be "another aerial photo showing sharks" from My Mystique, which is about a photo I saw in the NY Daily News that made me scared to go swimming. It feels good to play around with thoughts and feelings that are removed from my own life.
Mustard has observed that some humans like to fantasize. These fantasies differ depending on the human. Perhaps a small human wants to become a firefighter because they saw a unit help put out a fire in their neighborhood. Maybe another human discovered zines through
’s or ’s newsletter and now wants to make their own. Whatever the fantasy may be it often is inspired deep within the soul of a human.Lampland, of New York New York, created a whole record full of fantasies. They hope to provide the listeners with a serene experience. Serenity can come in many forms much like a fantasy but once achieved is unlike anything else. Or so they have observed.
Mustard had the pleasure of speaking with Tommy Bazarian; songwriter, vocalist, and guitarist of Lampland. Together we discussed lamps, their creative process, and so much more!
1. Mustard is grateful and appreciative to have you join them at Off The Shelf. How are you doing today?
I'm well! Thanks for asking.
2. Mustard has observed that your artist name is Lampland. Your permits are approved and you can begin construction on a literal lampland. Where do you establish this land? How many varieties of lamps can be found here? What would be some of the attractions?
That's a great question. The band is named after a crater on the moon called Lampland, so I think I would have to establish the park there, even though it would be logistically difficult. The attractions would be mirrors next to all of the lamps so that guests could admire how nice they look in the low lighting.
3. Who (or what) influences Lampland?
The guitar riff from Daria (the show).
4. They have also observed that every artist has their own unique creative process. What is Lampland's creative process? What are some necessary elements in your process?
I think the biggest part of my creative process is kind of mining my unconscious thinking. If I try to write a song about something, it's usually bad. But if I kind of feel my way in the dark towards it, I like it more. I make about a thousand voice memos, that are like sketches of melodies and song ideas. A couple of those are accidentally cool, and then I turn them into songs. Then I write like a hundred pages of words, a few lines of which are accidentally cool. Then I stitch those together into the lyrics. I usually realize what the song is about when it's almost done.
5. You describe yourself as an obsessive writer. As a condiment, Mustard wonders, what does it mean to be obsessed about something?
Yes obsessed is a human thing... where you think about something all of the time, and are really engrossed by it. The editor at the radio show I used to work at used to say that obsession is always interesting.
6. During the day you work as a radio producer. Would you say your professional occupation influences your work as an artist at all?
It used to. I used to work at an arts and culture show at WNYC called Studio 360. I would learn about a lot of new music from that show and I think it definitely influenced me. But the shows I work on now have less to do with art and it feels more separate.
7. Mustard would like to wish you congratulations on your newest album - Get Serene. How does it feel to have this album out into the human world?
Thanks so much! It feels great. This is the most fun I've had releasing music.
8. Get Serene is a nod to three of your favorite things: a Seinfeld episode, an LCD Soundsystem song, and a tranquil meme. What role did each of these play in the album?
The album's title comes from a lyric in the song Don't Be (like any walk on a balance beam / start stressed and get serene). I pulled the title from that, and I thought it felt exciting and right for the album. I like the idea of commanding someone (or yourself) to be Serene. Then as I was mulling the title over, I started to associate it with those things - the Seinfeld ep where George's dad listens to an anger management tape and starts screaming "serenity now"; the LCD song "Get Innocuous"; and the tweet that says Unbothered. Moisturized. Happy. In My Lane. Focused. Flourishing.
9. George Costanza wants you to perform for their boss at a corporate function. Do you accept their proposal?
I do NOT because I'm a huge Mets fan and George Costanza works for the Yankees.
10. Katie Von Schleicher and Nate Mendelsohn helped record and produce Get Serene. Could you share more about this collaboration?
Yes, Katie and Nate have a production duo called Shitty Hits Recording Co. I'm a huge fan of both of their bands (Nate's band Market, and Katie's under her own name). They engineered the album at Figure 8 Recording, and then at their apartment in Brooklyn. They played a lot of the instruments on the songs, and really shaped the arrangements. They also directed me on a lot of my performances. It was really great working with them. Mustard should definitely interview them about their music.
11. You describe the songs on this album as fantasies. How does it feel to bring these fantasies to life through your songwriting?
I do think of the songs as fantasies. In a way there are almost no true lyrics on the album. The truest lyric might be "another aerial photo showing sharks" from My Mystique, which is about a photo I saw in the NY Daily News that made me scared to go swimming. It feels good to play around with thoughts and feelings that are removed from my own life.
12. Artists such as Mitski, Elliott Smith, and Beck helped inspire some of the tracks on Get Serene. What album from each would you consider essential listening?
Mitski - Bury Me at Makeout Creek
Elliott Smith - XO
Beck - Midnite Vultures
13. This album allows listeners to live in the thrill of those in-between moments. How can music such as yours help human society combat societies growing monotony?
I think boredom is amazing and important for humans. I think the best hang outs and the best ideas come out of being truly bored. I think it can be almost thrilling to be fully bored in a deep, expansive, summery way.
14. Where can readers listen to your music?
You can listen to the album on any of the streaming platforms, and you can watch our music videos on our website. You can also buy vinyl (and shirts that I tie dye myself) on our Bandcamp.