Scott McDonald

Aussies Midnight Juggernauts were relatively unheard of when they toured North America with Justice last fall, but you wouldn't have guessed it on Friday. Their Coachella set fused indie-rock bombast with pulsating dance rhythms and synthesizers. The crowd looked overjoyed, sweaty and would have stayed for another hour given the chance. Midnight Juggernauts came across like a twenty-first century version of Xanadu, minus the roller skates of course.

I caught up with drummer Daniel Stricker for a quick interview:


Buzznet: That was an amazing set, where did all those people come from? What do you think it is about your music that people are connecting with?

Midnight Juggernauts: Well … it's the first U.S. festival we've ever played. When we finished our first run of the U.S. with Justice last year we had gotten great responses as the tour went forward, so most of these kids must have actually heard of us.

Buzznet: So how does the band prepare for a festival like Coachella?

Midnight Juggernauts: Well, we started off sort of mellow and just built it up throughout the set, so it's climactic. Normally, in a theater, we play more atmospheric songs. At a festival, the crowd wants to dance, so it's hot no matter what we do.





Buzznet: Do you feel like your music is more tied-in with the younger dance-rock crowd, than say a band like The Breeders?

Midnight Juggernauts: I think in some ways, definitely yes — we want people to have fun. I think it's important as a musician to make music for you, but at the same time we have such a broad range of influences. That's just one aspect.
 
Buzznet: You're album, Dystopia, has been out since the fall of last year, but won't be released until next month in North America. How does that factor into the equation?

Midnight Juggernauts: That's why it's crazy. I couldn't believe how many people were there because we don't have a physical release out yet in the U.S. I mean, you can get it online — or for free — but we didn't expect the tent to be filled like that.





Buzznet: You guys are done for the weekend. Are there any other bands you're looking forward to seeing?

Midnight Juggernauts: Yeah, we have some friends' bands playing: Cut Copy, Architecture in Helsinki and Justice. I REALLY want to see Portishead. Have you heard the record yet? It's so good. And obviously, I'd love to catch Prince.

Buzznet: If you had to pick three albums to live with for the rest of your life which would they be?

Midnight Juggernauts: The Pixies' Surfer Rosa, Pink Floyd's Dark Side of the Moon and … either a My Bloody Valentine record or Nirvana's Nevermind.

 
-Scott McDonald