Lawrence Arabia

"We love each other. But we hate each other. We're afraid of each other. Because we want to screw each other."

I know him as the creator of the ever catchy 60s inspired Apple Pie Bed. You might know him as former member of the Brunettes, the Ruby Sun Band, or touring member of Okkervil River. I was slightly disheartened to learn that James Milne was not actually born a Lawrence Arabia...I was having a great time imagining the moment hippie parents Mr. & Mrs. Arabia realised naming their son Lawrence would be quite fun.

Chant Darling is the second album from Lawrence Arabia and was recorded partly in Stockholm, partly in London, partly in Auckland and partly in Wellington. A mongrel album. The more and more I think about the way I listen to music, the more I realise that I'm a words kid. Sure, if a track has a bangin' melody and some beautiful riffs I'll dig it. But ultimately, it only takes one striking lyric and I'll fall madly in love with anything. In the case of The Beautiful Young Crew, maybe there isn't much to what is said, but the little that IS said is quite memorable.

Meanwhile, don't you think he looks a bit like Josh Pyke? Or is it just the beard? Check out a recent live performance of Apple Pie Bed at a gallery.

Lawrence Arabia-The Beautiful Young Crew (zshare)