I caught up with Chase Duncan of Chicago’s Interiors (playing the Firebird tonight) after the band returned from playing New York City. They play post-punk music that incorporates African and other international elements.

RC: How was New York?

CD: It was great – we played some awesome shows. The ten inches snow caused some issues, though. We’re planning to do a residency in New York in May since that is where the business is. It’s easier to do a residency in New York because one of the biggest pains is dealing with the van. Driving a cargo van into New York puts you in a bad mood.

RC: Tell me about your finger injury (he lost part of a finger in an unfortunate door jam incident.)

CD: It happened the day after we signed our contract and it set us back about eight months. A half inch of a finger, when you’re talking about playing guitar, is a significant amount. Certain chords like C and E are difficult to play, but otherwise I’ve become such a better guitar player because of it. The experience made me realize how much I took for granted and I wouldn’t change it back. I look at it not in terms of what I lost, but what I gained.

RC: What different international influences go into your music?

CD: Brian (Lubinsky, drums) and me got together on our shared interest in African music. We’re all very into finding new styles of music. 1960s and 1970s African music is a big influence, like the Hallelujah Chicken Run Band. In fact, someone once described us as ‘The Stooges meets the Chicken Run Band.’ There’s also Thomas Mapfumo, the Green Aarows, Fela, Horace Andy and all of the Jamaican music. As far as current music goes, Tinarawen are happening now and they’re really good. And if English music is considered international, I’m a huge Coldplay fan!

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