Biting Reality With Lolawolf

Indie band Lolawolf is fronted by the ultimate Zoe Kravitz, with genes and talent to match that of her parents Lenny Kravtiz and Lisa Bonnet. Somehow she finds time between acting in huge films to write music with band mates Jimmy Giannopoulos (Reputante and Mother) and James Levy (Reputante). Despite all their own busy individual projects, a few months ago they released new album Calm Down.

Lolawolf came about as a hobby, but they are making some serious noise their their unique sounds and styles. The new record is infused with enigmatic electronic tracks, an unexpected intersection that recalls the adventourous output of artists like Santigold, Banks or MIA with a touch of FKA Twigs.

Having toured with Lily Allen and recently coming down to Australia to be Miley Cyrus' supporting act, I got them on the phone for a quick chat.

THUMP: Hey, how are you guys going? 
Jimmy: Good!
Zoe: Good how are you?

I'm good! How are you guys enjoying Australia? 
Zoe: Good!

By the way, you guys were so awesome live at Oxford Art Factory! 
Zoe: Oh, you came! Awesome.

Have you guys been some touristy stuff in Australia? 
Zoe: No, we literally had no time. We've just been playing shows and sleeping. We did the noodle markets across from our hotel and we went to Bondi Beach which was really nice and beautiful. But yea, that's all we got to do unfortunately.

So you guys recently released your debut album Calm Down in Australia the other week ahead of the rest of the world. How are you guys feeling about it? 
Zoe: We feel good about it! Really good about it!

Tell me a little bit about the album, how it came together and what it was influenced by. 
Jimmy: We were influenced by 90s R&B and modern hip hop.

Zoe you used to play in a band called Elevator Fight where the music was much more rock-leaning. With Lolawolf there's a lot of electronic elements, where's that coming from? 
Zoe: That would come from the R&B Hip Hop influences.

Is that something you want to focus on? 
Zoe: Nope, I don't think I have to choose. Unless someone puts a gun to my head to make me choose! But yea, whatever I feel like!

What's the internal dynamic of Lolawolf, how you work together, what you fight about, how it all comes together?
Zoe: We fight a lot actually. I mean not fight a lot, I think it's just our dynamic. Creatively we find a way to make it work. When we annoy or challenge each other, it's where the best things comes out of.

You guys recorded the album mostly in the Bahamas, was there a particular reason you did it there?  

Zoe: I like visiting the Bahamas and it was cold in New York and it was warm there, so we decided we would be happy in the sun and in the environment to be creative.

There's the saying that the busiest people find the most time. Whether it's acting, producing music, touring and being in other bands, how do you guys have the time for it all? 

Zoe: I think when you love something you just make it happen, and it's really that simple. It's like, if you are in to somebody and they're not calling you back or not into you. You can always make time for somebody. Whenever you want something or care about something, you find the time to make it happen. It's always possible!

What can you tell us about touring with LiIly Allen and right now with Miley Cyrus? 
Jimmy:They're both really nice…

What can't you tell us? Please tell us anyway.
Jimmy: Oh, there's nothing really bad! It's always really positive. If anything, for us, it's how big the shows have been. We've never played shows this big before. We'd usually play for a hundred people but for the Lily Allen and Miley Cyrus tour we played to over twenty thousand people. That's the biggest difference.

ASAP Rocky features in Jimmy Franco, how did that come about? 
Zoe: Oh, he's just a buddy of ours and he wanted to do something with us. That was the song he gravitated towards and was really enthusiastic about, so we decided to make the video.

Have you had time to get into any Australian artists? 
Jimmy: We hung out with Wolfmother.
Zoe: Yeah, they were great! 
Jimmy: They took us into their house and made us dinner. That was nice! 
Zoe: I mean..I really like Tame Impala.

Zoe your favourite movie is Reality Bites, but what film most accurately captures your life?
Zoe: Reality Bites!

So, Jimmy I heard you are a good dancer.
Jimmy: James is a good dancer in the club! I was in broadway for a few years and did ballet in New York as well. But that's a different planet.

Zoe, how would you rate them both? 
Zoe: James would be an eight. Seven or an eight. Jimmy's stuff is a bit more classically trained and doesn't really like to pull it out. But when he does, it's really professional stuff. I'd give him like, a nine and half.

People might not know you have a soft spot for early No Doubt, Sublime and Fiona Apple - but what are some more recent jams you like to get down to?

Jimmy: I really like that track by Bobby Smurda called Hot Nigga. That's a good one! 
James: I like that song! 
Zoe: And… I really like Goldie by ASAP Rocky.

Do you guys have any hidden talents? Jimmy I've seen your instagram videos, they're pretty cool with all the voice overs and stuff. 
Jimmy: Oh! Thank you! 
Zoe: That would be Jimmy's hidden talent! That, and apparently he's very good in bed. 
Jimmy: Yea, I got a perfect cock and make good instagram videos haha!

You come from a creative and musical family Zoe, has your mum and dad given you some advice about the industry? 
Zoe: No, not really. They just tell me to drinks lots of water and eat well!

What would be three words to describe Lolawolf?
Zoe: Hmm..Three words… 
Jimmy: Electronic…
Zoe: Oh yea! Electronic, Rhythm and Vibe! We actually came up with it the other day!

If Lolawolf was a drink, what would be in it? Where would it served?
Zoe: It would be served in dive bars or a strip club but like dirty strip club. It would have whisky… 
James: Sake…
Zoe: Haha! Yea it would have whisky, sake and coffee, mixed together with hot sauce. 
James: and a sock! 
Jimmy: one of my socks! haha
Zoe: Oh it's the worst!

That sounds intense! 
Zoe: Yeah, that sounds intense! But, like it gets you really really fucked up in a good way. You aren't going to have a hungover the next day, so it's kind of worth it.

Would you guys be considering to come to Australia again? 
Zoe: Yea, we'd love to! It's so beautiful here, the crowds are fun and it's really nice to be so far away! We'd love to come to back for some Australian love.

How does Australia compare to the rest of the world? 
Zoe: I guess people here are a lot more friendlier here than a lot of places, I think. You have very attractive men as well! It's a huge plus. I'm constantly window shopping here.