With so much great music these days, significantly impressive bands that really deserve extra recognition are often overlooked. Last November, a band with a diverse brew of quirky yet memorable pop rock music accompanied by honest and thought provoking lyrics, has caught the eyes and ears of fans everywhere. With an ever-growing internet presence, coupled with word of mouth buzz from devoted listeners, they are making noise way past their hometown of Atlanta.
Lead singer and guitarist Luke Pilgrim completed writing, recording, and producing what would become Last November’s debut album, “ All the Gory Details” by the age of fifteen. Released independently in 2005, the album was later picked up by Southern Track Records in 2006. “All the Gory Details” was welcomed in the music industry with open arms, receiving rave reviews, garnering multi-formatted airplay on over 200 national radio stations, and features on television on shows such as MTV’s “The Real World.”
Last November followed up the band’s new success and headed back into the studio in 2007 to write and record their sophomore album for Southern Tracks Records, “ Over the Top or Under the Weather.” Pilgrim’s talents flourished under the guidance of platinum-selling producer Steven Haigler (Brand New, Fuel, Oleander, Pixies, As Tall as Lions) and mastered by Rodney Mills (Butch Walker, Pearl Jam, Drive-By Truckers, Lynyrd Skynyrd).
Released in the spring of 2008, “Over the Top or Under the Weather” has proved to be the perfect follow up to Last November’s first album. Their latest single and music video entitled “ Seventeen at Three in the Morning,” is a power pop ballad that is currently being played in heavy rotation on radio stations nationwide and is quickly becoming the anthem for every teenager in America. Recently nominated for a 2008 New Music Weekly Award, Last November is a band that cannot be stopped. Having already shared the stage with bands Plain White T’s, Cake, Pink, Train, The Working Title, The Bravery, The Almost, Mute Math, Family Force 5, Interpol, They Might Be Giants, and Chris Cornell, Last November plan on touring nationally throughout 2009.
AS: Luke, you started writing music before the age of 15, tell us about your songwriting history and how it’s grown up until now.
LP: My parents gave me my first guitar when I was eleven. I really started writing songs before I actually knew what I was doing on the guitar... or before I knew much about life really. I just knew what sounded good to me. I guess I wrote my first song when I was twelve or so. Most of the songs on our first album I wrote in high school when I was about 15. The only good part about getting older or getting my heart broken is I always get a song out of it. I try to write a little bit everyday. I'd say I've grown a great deal since I first started writing songs. I guess it takes time to understand what your job is as a writer. Now I write songs that people can relate to. I want anyone, any age, anywhere in the world to be able to live through my lyrics.
AS: How has the band grown since “All the Gory Details” to now “Over the Top or Under the Weather”?
LP: Well the most obvious change would be the rotating cast of members. But beyond that, I'd say our sound has definitely matured. With "Over the Top" we just wanted to write a solid pop record-- enjoyable music and melodies and lyrics that speak to you. I've already begun writing for the next record and we've started throwing some ideas together. I think the next album will probably be as different from "Over the Top," as "Over the Top" was from "All the Gory Details." But I guess we shall see.
AS: Tell us about your “Bumper Sticker Song.”
LP: The “Bumper Sticker Song” is really about finding someone who can love you in spite of all your flaws, weird hang ups, disorders, and overall neurotic, obsessive nature. I actually get emails from people asking if I really have A.D.D and O.C.D. I usually just tell them those are only a couple of my many disorders.
AS: What is your favorite song on the new album?
LP: That’s a tough question. Kinda like choosing your favorite child. And my favorites vary. I'm always more excited about the one I wrote most recently. But if I had to choose I think "Sunday Afternoon" really turned out great on the record.
AS: What was it like being nominated for the 2008 New Music Weekly Award for “New Top 40 Group of the Year”?
LP: It was such an honor being nominated alongside so many well known acts. We were blown away that we received the nomination.
AS: What is next for Last November? Do you plan to tour?
LP: Absolutely. We are touring right now and always as much as possible. All of our tour dates can be found at www.myspace.com/lastnovember or www.lastnovember.com. And like I said we have already begun working on new songs so we plan on getting in the studio again soon as well. Plus, we plan to shoot a new music video over the next few months... either for "Hot and Cold" or "Uppers, Downers, & All- Arounders." We haven't decided yet.
