There's something to be said for being classically trained on piano, but not having your whole makeup be tied to one instrument.
Victoria LegrandI was in a Led Zeppelin cover band in high school, and my highlight was playing "Misty Mountain Hop" at a coffee house in Wayne, Pennsylvania. I wasn't allowed to play any instruments; I could only be the singer because I was a girl.
Victoria LegrandAs you get older you realise that nothing lasts forever. It's not depressing, but it does make moments more intense.
Victoria LegrandWe feel more and more intensely about the music we make. It's unexpected, and not always what you would think of in Beach House. It's all art in the end. We aren't making records because we have to; it's because it's what we want to express.
Victoria LegrandBut I love the hot sweat. I think overheating onstage is invigorating. It's better than being comfortable. I think being comfortable is the death of a show.
Victoria LegrandWith us, people caught on to something on our third album, and that will never be repeated. Basically, I don't really have any complaints about the way that Beach House has grown. I feel like we're still in control of what we're doing, and it's a great time in our existence.
Victoria LegrandIf a psychiatrist would analyze [the lyrics], I'm sure they'd come up with something interesting. I really don't try to twist them. I don't want to slash things.
Victoria LegrandFor me, it's really day to day. I don't really plan ahead and I like to be excited about what I'm wearing. Being on the road all the time, it's various articles of clothing that keep me inspired and feeling good. A fun or beautiful thing to wear can change your day. I think spontaneity and not adhering to any narrow styles keep me happy.
Victoria LegrandI think the voice is an underrated instrument these days and it's easy to make up for lack of ability with effects. I think sometimes people are more wowed with effects than core craftsmanship. Strong voices are not as common as they used to be.
Victoria LegrandThe guys in high school were like, "You've got a nice voice; you should keep singing," but I never honestly thought that one day I'd be a singer. When you're young, you don't see the signs.
Victoria LegrandI think sometimes songwriting becomes diluted when you have lots of components to mask a lack of core.
Victoria LegrandSound is a very unruly thing, and you have to really respect that it's going to differ every time you play.
Victoria LegrandI'm a Gemini, so I'm very dual. I love something and I hate it at the same time, so that probably comes out in the lyrics.
Victoria LegrandPeople who create art would be fools to assume they know exactly what people are going to think of it.
Victoria LegrandI personally do not listen to a lot of music. It helps keep my mind free. I don't want to sound like someone else from the get-go. I want to express myself and the world in my head.
Victoria LegrandI like to hear what other people's interpretations are, because people come up with things I'd never thought about.
Victoria LegrandIt's always about trying to make everything go with the music, like a script. It's not like, 'Let's have a confetti gun!' If I ever have one of those, it will be because it's absolutely the right thing at the moment in the song. I can't just go get a confetti gun.
Victoria LegrandI think the Yamaha has a giant quality. When you combine the Yamaha with other organs, you get this crazy rectangular sound. It's kind of flat and thick.
Victoria LegrandI don't think my vocals demand effects. I like reverb to a certain extent, but I don't want to hide my voice. I like stripped-down vocals, but I also like crazy, powerful, doubled vocals like in dance or electronic music.
Victoria LegrandI truly believe that if you think something's stupid, that might mean it's actually good.
Victoria LegrandSometimes people talk about music, whether blogs or magazines, in a strange way where it doesn't seem like they're actually listening to it.
Victoria LegrandMy hair is a wild, untamable beast! I like letting it grow; my bangs grow whatever way they want and I kind of follow their rule. So side bangs, poof bangs - it's kind of unpredictable.
Victoria LegrandI like to find the beauty in the ugly. When I'm in a thrift store, I gravitate toward pieces I know I'll wear a ton, and insane pieces that I'm sure most people would consider gross. But I find them inspiring. Our van is currently stocked with some of my random findings from this tour. Maybe I'll call my aesthetic 'van fashion.
Victoria Legrand