please introduce yourself...

my name is denver dalley- im 22 and i write and perform music as statistics (with the help of my two friends, matt baum and ryan fox live).

how would you describe statistics to someone who hasn't heard your music?

i would say that its experimental synth pop melodic rock. or something like that. those seem to be the key words as of late. (im not very good with that sort of thing...)

how did statistics start?

i noticed that i had extra time from my other band, desaparecidos, and i wanted to work on music without waiting on anyone else's schedules. i started just four tracking in my room, then i eventually booked some time in the studio and recorded that self titled ep.

how did you come up with the name?

i am fascinated by statistics- i think that they can mean so many different things- i like music and film to be that same way- not really obvious, still open to some interpretation.

how does the new album ('leave your name') differ from the self-titled ep?

i think (or would like to think) that i have progressed at my songwriting. i hadnt played all of the different elements in a band before- the ep and first tour were very educational for me. i still have a long way to go, but i think that it is a progression that still holds true to the style that i established on the ep.

are you happy with how the new record turned out? is there anything you would change if you could?

im extremely pleased with it, but there is always something that i would change- im always looking forward to the next release.

do you try to seperate yourself from the desaparecidos/bright eyes links? did this influence your choice to sign on with jade tree instead of saddle creek?

yes definately, on both accounts. i have always loved jade tree and saddle creek, they are my two favorite labels. with desa, it was kind of automatic that it would be on saddle creek (which was amazing) but when i did something on my own jade tree was the first people i sent it to. and it does help keep things seperated.

how different is it writing material for statistics than for desaparecidos? which do you prefer?

i like both immensely. desa is fun because its several people working towards the same goal together. with statistics, i have to like each and every element- im much harder on myself. so they both have their ups and downs, but i love them both...

what are your main lyrical themes?

i try not to sing about love- i guess i feel that i dont have anything new or groundbreaking to offer. i like to hit on themes that many different people can relate to. i guess musically, stats is a bond of new technology and old, so i like to tie that into the lyrics a bit.

who would you say are your main influences musically?

honestly, im influenced by just about every performer out there. i think that each one has something to offer on some level. i listen to pop music the same way i would listen to other bands in my same genre. i love elements of music in every different genre.

do you tour with statistics?

yes. i am getting ready to be out on the road from january 31st until april 10th in the states, then i am hoping to come over to europe.

who would you most like to tour/play with (past or present)?

grandaddy, notwist, rilo kiley, clinic, failure, wilco, tilly and the wall... just to name a few.

so whats next for statistics?

touring and then i would like to record an ep of cover songs that have really influenced me and then work on the next full-length. but mainly focus on touring for the next few months.

on a side note, when can we expect the next desaparecidos release?

im not sure about that... we had to push everything back and there are no plans as of now. but i am eager to work on that again.

seen any decent films lately?

i saw big fish the other night and really loved it. im the same way with films as i am about music. i love the big budget mainstream movies as much as i love the independent releases.

favourite records at the moment?

the solaris score- its the same guy that did traffic, cliff martinez. really great.

an album you couldnt live without?

the pixies- doolittle. or nine inch nails- the downward spiral.

favourite record to seduce the ladies?

i dont know... its been a while- probably sigur ros- the one that came out before the untitled one (i cant recall the icelandic title).

anything to add?

i cant think of anything, but please let me know if you do. thank you so much for your time.

denver.

thanks goes out to denver, and jessica of hopper pr.

jade tree records