STRANGE BOUTIQUE Interview 17/11/25
MM: Your new album feels like a resurrection. What ghosts did you have to
wrestle with in the silence before this return, and how did they shape the sound
of Let The Lonely Heart Sing?
Monica: Thank you! Definitely the ghost of our late guitarist, Fred “Freak” Smith
floated about freely, no wrestling at all. I think Fred would be thrilled with this
album, “Jet Stream” is partly about him. I would think what we wrestled with was
Time itself, the decades that passed and how to write again without being in the
same room.
MM: The title suggests both vulnerability and defiance. Do you see the lonely
heart as a wound, or as a blade sharpened by isolation?
Monica: I’m not sure if I see it as either. I see it more as choosing Hope when life
is in turmoil.
Steve: I didn’t write the lyrics but when I first Monica sing “let the lonely heart
sing” I heard hope and strength, perhaps sharpened by isolation or loss. The lyric
and feeling really resonated with me and it seemed to capture the feel of the
record so using it as a title felt right.
MM: When you step onto the stage again, do you see it as a sacred altar for
resurrection, or a battlefield where you must prove your survival?
Monica: I see it as an old friend. I love performing and I’m always looking to have
a blast with the fans that have come to see us. Our shows so far have been full of
energy, happiness and love, a reconnection with old fans and a delight to have a
new generation there dancing around at songs they know.
Steve: I think it depends on the room and the audience. There are times when
taking the stage feels very
confrontational, ... a challenge to prove ourselves and win over an audience. And,
other times, particularly when we play in DC, it feels like a gathering of like minded
misfits, where we play the role of the court jesters.
MM: How do you decide which songs become offerings each night
Monica: We’ve built a good solid set of old favorites and new songs based on
requests, streaming choices and what we like to perform.
Steve: We have a core set of songs that we almost always do, ... and, then we
rotate in other songs to keep things interesting. It’s strictly an intuitive thing.
MM: When the lights die and the crowd disperses, what silence do you return to,
and how does it shape the next performance?
Monica: So far, the feeling is intense happiness for all the fun we’ve had, but my
house is full of animals, I never get any silence!
Steve: I love silence. But, after a gig, the adrenaline makes silence impossible.
It always takes a while to be open to silence again, .... when it happens, I think of
it as a clean slate. Time to refocus and do it again.
24-hour road trip—what musician’s riding shotgun with you?
Steve: I’m taking Monica and Dennis !!!
If your personality were a song, what would its title be?
Monica: This Too Shall Pass
Vinyl or digital—where do you spin?
Steve: I’m ambi-audio, ... vinyl, CD, streaming, ... whatever suits the moment.
Festival chaos or an intimate sweat-soaked gig?
Monica: Definitely the second choice! I hate festivals for many reasons!
Steve: Sweat soaked, up close and personal.
What’s one lyric from the new album that you’d want carved into your
gravestone?
Monica:
I spoke the truth until it hurt
So many things to say before I depart
If your band had a mascot what would it be
Monica: A cat, for sure!
M
M: Any final word for your fans and our readers?
Monica: Thank you for the enjoyable interview!
We’re thrilled to be here again and we appreciate all the love we’ve been getting!
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