This Friday (03.23.07), in a show at Cafe Montmartre, Pale Young Gentlemen will release their first album, with our well wishes. The show is on our weekly recommended list.

In anticipation of the show, I invited Mike (he’s the tall one standing in front of this picture) to participate in our 5 Questions w/ MoB series.

Here’s what he had to say:

Q. The internet has dramatically altered the way band’s can reach an audience. With things like blogs/myspace/etc, what are your thoughts on the power of the internet in terms of helping your music reach a larger audience?

This is really a complicated thing, but ultimately, the internet has done to music the same thing that it’s done to everything else. It’s more convenient- maybe less personal, but still a mighty tool. I think that the best way to reach a larger audience is to have interesting and relevant material. The internet just speeds that up. At the same time, I’m totally addicted to myspace. I’m working on a theory linking the number of visits a band gets to the number of ex-girl/boyfriends that a band has.

Q. What music have you been listenting to lately? Anything you can recommend?

I’ve been listening a lot to Swan Lake by Tchaikovsky lately. I wouldn’t consider myself a music junkie or anything. I try to be aware of the “scene” as best as I can, but haven’t really gotten into anything in quite awhile. I do really like Sleeping in the Aviary’s new disc. Brahms, I recommend anything by him.

Q. How has living in Madison influenced your music?

I can’t say that is has directly influenced the music. I haven’t written a song about it or anything. Though it certainly has determined the people that are in the band.

Q. Are there any local staples (restaurants, bars, music stores) that you would recommend to Madison visitors?

For dinner, I would say Sardine. I like going to the Crystal Corner Bar…

Q. Are you working with, or planning shows with, any other local bands?

Not right now, our next booked show is with The Robot Ate Me at Cafe Montmartre on May 3rd.

Myspace: Pale Young Gentlemen

(travis)