The Selfish Gene’s The Grand Masquerade is not only one of the best releases to come out of Wisconsin, it’s also a pretty damn fine record compared to everything else that the industry has rolled out in 2007.

Through running into them at countless shows I’ve come to learn that as great of musicians as these guys are, they are also genuine music fans as well - and that’s something that I always admire in bands I like. Matt Allen was kind enough to take some time to discuss the band, upcoming tour, best shows in town, and some of his favorite places in Madison.

When I first heard of you guys, my initial thoughts drifted to the title of Richard Dawkins book of the same name. Was that book an inspiration for the name of your band?

Yes. Richard Dawkin’s 1976 book forms the thesis for the band from both a scientific and metaphorical perspective. We play off the science with poetic narrative. The chapter that really caught our attention in naming the band is #11. Memes: the new replicators. The topic of memes, the genetic equivalent to socially-inherited perspectives which influence behaviors (thru television, advertising, friends and family), gave a whole new meaning to the term ‘mind-fuck’ (also a close consideration for band name, but not as marketable). Mix that with a Floydian, paranoid view of the world and you have the framework for our songwriting. Not only do we look to Dawkin’s The Selfish Gene for inspiration, but a variety of scientific and political theory which can be presented allegorically in a modern human environment: Sagan, Hawking, Orwell, Huxley, Vonnegut. Basically we’re sci-fi in hi-fi.

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If a band played an entire set our your music for an evening, who would you like to hear cover a night’s worth of your material?

The Bee Gees. The falsetto harmonies and disco groove might just get us a top 40 hit (in 1978). If it was Jimmy Fallon and Justin Timberlake, all the better.

On the flip side, if you were to play an entire set of someone else’s songs, whose would you choose and/or enjoy the most?

Built to Spill. One of the most influential bands for us. To play nearly any song from either Perfect From Now On or Keep It Like A Secret would be a treat. We’ve actually tried to cover some songs, but all the layers of guitar and Doug’s high vocals make it tough to replicate. Still, to play a flawless version of Time Trap would bring shivers.

The internet has dramatically altered the way bands can reach an audience.You’ve experienced some success through blogs/myspace/etc, how do you capitalize on that exposure and continue to widen your audience?

Its no secret that the internet is the most valuable resource for marketing music to the widest possible audience. To build, you need to expand your ‘friend sphere’ and then physically go there. If you don’t visit a place where you’ve received a positive reaction, you risk not securing that area as part of your fan-base. We’re currently finalizing the dates for a tour out east that will take us through D.C., Philadelphia, NYC, Boston, VT, Toronto and more. Our record label (Ruff Road) and publicity company (The Planetary Group) are pushing the album to radio stations and periodicals to help get the music in front of as many people as possible and better ensure a successful tour. So in short, once you see a buzz somewhere you need to grab ahold and never let go.

Not only are you guys one of Madison’s most promising bands, but you seem to generally enjoy great music as well. I see you at a lot of the same shows that I go to. What have been some of your favorite concerts here in Madison of recent memory?

Number one this year was definitely The National at the High Noon Saloon. It was a rare experience in that it almost should have taken place at a larger venue, but luckily was an up-close and personal small club show. The extended version of Squalor Victoria was incredible. The way those guys build a song to a point where it could just take off into space and then resist the urge by cutting it down to nothing makes me ecstatic. We’ve seen Cloud Cult in Madison so many times in the past couple years, and their shows are always a great time - especially at the Stage Door. I wish we could have made it in to the Man Man, Icy Demons, Girl Talk show at Club 770. Big fans of Need New Body, so Icy Demons would have been cool to see. We saw Man Man up at the 7th St. Entry in Minneapolis back in September - one of our favorite shows of ‘06. Also saw Akron/Family there which was mind-blowing - missed them at Café Montmartre, doh!

Since you’re a local band, we’d love to know what your 5 favorite things/places/etc in Madison.

1. E-labs Multimedia - our favorite studio and record label home.
2. Strictly Discs - best place in town to buy music. Plus that one clerk is a total stud.
3. Echo Tap - where we go after recording sessions or rehearsal.
4. Star Liquor - we buy booze there and then drink it.
5. Willy Street Coop - we lived across the street and the all-day bongo jams got old quick, but we dig the goods.