A Chat with La Need Machine (14.08.25)
La Need Machine are a fast-rising US-based band with a fresh, genre-bending sound. Combining the best of indie rock, Americana, indie pop and punk-and-roll, they offer a sound that is alternative, enigmatic and brings a new dimension to the “Seattle Sound”. We speak with lead guitarist, Al, about their new album Pourquoi? Ce’est L’Amour, melodic arrangements, and much more.
OSR: Your new album Pourquoi? C’est L’Amour! blends thoughtful songwriting with addictive musical hooks. What was the inspiration behind the album’s title and overall vibe?
Al: We know it may sound corny, but we really do believe love is the answer, to quote John Lennon. So, we wanted to write songs about the different incarnations of love, from familial love to friendship love. As far as the music goes, we consider ourselves an indie band with influences from across the spectrum, including our hometown Seattle sound!
OSR: You’ve described the songs as fitting together like a “set of baseball cards.” How did you curate the tracklist to maintain that balance of individuality and cohesion without creating a concept album?
Al: We look at love like a team effort, even a baseball team. Everyone has a part to play to make love successful. And, yes, I can hear the snickers about 1st base, 2nd base, 3rd base, home run! Many concept albums stray into the fantastical – that’s fine, but we didn’t want to do that. We wanted to be grounded in reality.
OSR: The album radiates positivity and hope in a time of uncertainty. How conscious were you of the global or cultural moment when writing these songs?
Al: Completely. That is why the album came out the way it did. If these were different times, maybe we would have produced a different album. But we live in a time of global turmoil, and people are looking for answers. Not that we have the answers, but I will argue with anyone that a good place to start is love for one another.
OSR: Your arrangements feature an eclectic mix of instruments – cello, saxophone, keyboards. How do you approach songwriting to ensure each instrument enhances rather than overwhelms the message?
Al: I like to think we do that by avoiding making the individual parts too complex. Our view is that if all the individual parts are complex, it will be difficult for them together to not overwhelm. We are looking for the whole of the song, not any individual solo.
OSR: The vocal harmonies between the male and female voices feel integral to your sound. How do you craft those harmonies, and what do they allow you to express emotionally or narratively that solo vocals might not?
Al: That is a prominent concept going into each song. The interplay between the male and female vocals defines our sound. The singers themselves have an incredible feel for what sounds good together! It’s a rock music tradition we embrace, from X to Fleetwood Mac, to the B-52s, to the Mamas and the Papas.
OSR: There’s a cinematic, almost episodic feel to the album. Was that a natural evolution of your sound, or did you intentionally aim for that storytelling structure?
Al: Yes, we did. I don’t have anything against a good pop tune about cars, parties, or girls. But truly telling a story with some character development allows us to drop in messages we want to deliver to our audience.
OSR: From Seattle’s rich music scene, La Need Machine stands out with a strong melodic indie rock identity. What local influences, if any, helped shape Pourquoi? C’est L’Amour!?
Al: When we think of Seattle music, we like to think of the whole PNW (Pacific Northwest) – that way, we can include the Fleetwoods (Olympia), the Sonics (Tacoma), and Heart (Bellevue), among many others.
OSR: The lyrics on this album are both insightful and emotionally direct. Is there a song that feels especially personal or emblematic of what you wanted this album to say?
Al: ‘I Wish I Could Fly’ – the recorded version is about a bear that is losing his home to climate change, encroaching development, and indifference. The song could have been about a person living in today’s world.
OSR: If you could have a listener walk away from Pourquoi? C’est L’Amour! with one feeling or message, what would it be? And why is that important to you in 2025?
Al: We have to love one another. This is important in 2025 because there is so much conflict and derision in the world. If you really love someone, it’s a lot harder to engage in othering or different us vs. them mentalities.
Many thanks to Al for speaking with us. Find out more about La Need Machine on their official website, Facebook, Instagram, TikTok and Spotify.
This artist was discovered via Musosoup #sustainablecurator
