UNKLE's Desert Sessions

by Liz Ohanesian

Set against the California desert like a postcard image is Rancho de la Luna, the Joshua Tree recording studio that is now the stuff of legend for fans of the guitar-heavy grooves that have become indicative of this region. Founded in 1993 by the late Fred Drake (earthlings?) and Dave Catching (Eagles of Death Metal, Queens of the Stone Age, earthlings?), the studio has been home to Kyuss, Queens of the Stone Age and Masters of Reality.  In addition, it is ground zero for Josh Homme's Desert Sessions, the collaborative effort featuring a revolving crew of musicians that just happen to be somewhere past the "Other Desert Cities" sign at the I 10 and Route 62 interchange.  In that respect, Rancho de la Luna was probably the perfect place for UNKLE's James Lavelle and Richard File to relocate for part of the work on War Stories.

Though much of production took place in Los Angeles and London, UNKLE's own desert sessions shaped the heart of the album.

"I think that there's just a psychedelic-ness in the space and it's slow, but it's kind of hard," says Lavelle. "It's quite a spiritual place, but it's also quite a hard place."

In the studio with File, Catching and producer Chris Goss (Kyuss, Queens of the Stone Age, Soulwax), Lavelle worked with the intention of being "as free as possible."  Out in the desert, Lavelle could get away from the London hustle and write his way through a transitory period in his career.

At only 32, Lavelle's career dates back to the early-1990s.  After various music-related gigs, he launched Mo' Wax, which went on to become one of the most influential labels of the 1990s.  Through his imprint, Lavelle helped introduce artists like Andrea Parker, Dr. Octagon and, most famously, DJ Shadow.  But, his innovations did not stop with music.  With Mo' Wax, Lavelle had a hand in reviving the career of graffiti artist Futura 2000 (who was previously known for his work with the Clash), helped launch several nightclubs  (including the famed London club Fabric) and occasionally partnered with Japanese street wear firm Bathing Ape (BAPE) and toy company Medicom.  At the label's peak, Lavelle released UNKLE's debut album, Psyence Fiction, with Shadow as his primary collaborator.  The album was a critical success and spawned an indie hit with the single "Rabbit in Your Headlights," which featured Radiohead's Thom Yorke on vocals.  Although Shadow left the fold, Lavelle brought in File and released the sophomore effort Never, Never Land in 2003.

Somewhere between the release of Never, Never Land and the present, things soured at Mo' Wax.  Lavelle still seems reticent to give the details of the situation, but did confirm that the label is no more.  Now, the only trace of Mo' Wax online is a message board indicating that a 2003 release from the band Parsley Sound was the label's last. Despite this, Lavelle has stayed active.  In between UNKLE recording sessions, he has DJed across the globe (including a few L.A. dates in 2006) and launched Surrender All, a label and management company that works primarily to support his endeavors. 

"It's like my DIY label, where I can do whatever I want to do myself and retain as much control as possible in that situation," he says, noting that he has no intention of releasing other artists' music at this time.

With Surrender All, it seems that Lavelle has put the past behind him in every respect.  Even the product design of War Stories, differs from traditional Mo' Wax packaging.  The promotional copies came in a standard-sized card stock envelope printed with black and white scenes of the desert on the outside and a distorted photo of a skull superimposed on a body gracing the inside of the envelope and the liner notes.  The commercial copy of the release, which he states is "slightly more in context" with his past projects, features paintings by 3D of Massive Attack (who also contributed artwork during the Mo' Wax era) and a 32-page booklet.  A special edition double-disc contains a 50-page booklet and gatefold casing.  Lavelle acknowledges that the design was intended to create a different feel from his Mo' Wax releases and was, at least in part, inspired by the time in the desert.

Similarly, the sound of War Stories is something of a departure from previous UNKLE efforts.  The influence of Krautrock bands like Can and Neu! is more apparent here than on the first two full-lengths, as psychedelic guitars give way to warm funk drum patterns.  Lavelle is adamant, though, that despite what critics have said, this is not a "rock" record.

"I don't think rock albums generally have 808 tracks and drum machines," he adds.  "It just has a guitar element to the record, maybe a bit heavier than in the past."

Once again, UNKLE features a mix of familiar names and underground sensations.  Josh Homme of Queens of the Stone Age and Gavin Clark of acoustic-electronic outfit Clayhill both offer guest vocals while Jeordie White (formerly known as Twiggy Ramirez) lends his bass skills and Pablo Clements of psychedelic electro duo Psychonauts adds keyboard touches.  Perhaps one of the most interesting pieces, though, comes by way of a session with L.A.-based group Autolux.  Lavelle first heard the slightly noisy art rock outfit through his manager.  He presented the band with a track and the members agreed to collaborate.  The result, "Persons & Machinery," is what Lavelle considers to be the "most cohesive" piece on the album, as it was the only number that was both recorded and finished in Los Angeles.

In another departure from his previous work, Lavelle contributes vocals to two of the album's cuts—"Hold My Hand," in which his voice hits a groove similar to that of previous UNKLE contributor and former Stone Roses front man Ian Brown, and "Morning Rage," a duet performed with File.

"It's challenging," says Lavelle of his experience behind the mic, "but it was very liberating to be able to work with the people I did and, I suppose, in some way, to be accepted in that respect was great and rewarding."

Lavelle went to the desert simply "to have some mental space," but he and File returned to London with an album that has reignited their career as UNKLE. Lavelle's second act is surely off to an exciting start.

UNKLE plays the Echoplex on October 26.