Sondre Lerche plays Southern California
Here is my interview with Sondre Lerche, who appears on Sunday at Street Scene in Chula Vista. He also opens for Air on Friday at the Greek Theatre and Monday at the Grove of Anaheim.
When most musicians record songs for a soundtrack album, they perform to the best of their ability.
Imagine Sondre Lerche and his band’s surprise when “Dan in Real Life” director Peter Hedges said everyone should play sloppier.
“He wanted a handmade feeling for the soundtrack,” said singer/guitarist Lerche, in a phone interview from Long Island, N.Y. “I actually (did some) stuff myself because I’m a horrible piano player. Finally the universe found a use for me. I got my big break.”
In reality, good fortune shined on Lerche the moment Hedges called out of the blue and eventually offered a job to oversee the entire project.
Let’s just say the Norwegian was a bit surprised.
“I’ve never been involved in writing music for a film before...it’s a daring move on his part. Also, it’s very un-typical of Hollywood to hire some unknown to score. I was so flattered. That gave me a certain amount of confidence I needed going into the production.”
The romantic comedy “Dan in Real Life” stars Steve Carell, Dane Cook and Juliette Binoche.
It will be released by Touchstone Pictures on Oct. 26. Hedges - who also helmed the Katie Holmes vehicle “Pieces of April” – is best known as the acclaimed screenwriter for “About a Boy” and “What’s Eating Gilbert Grape?” (which he authored).
Hedges invited Lerche to join him on everything leading up to the actual shooting of the film.
“I thought it was such a great opportunity. Anytime I had the chance, I’d come to auditions. When they found the house (to use on the set), I came over and spent the night with the crew.”
Lerche, 25, debuted with “Faces Down” in 2002. An enticing slice of ‘60s bossa nova and Burt Bacharach/Hal David-styled pop, the disc led to a Best New Artist Grammy back home and a spot on Rolling Stone’s coveted year-end top 50.
Then Lerche released an EP featuring a cover of Cole Porter’s “Night and Day” and toured with Elvis Costello & the Imposters. Folk, chamber pop and jazz sounds dominated the artist’s next two efforts, “Two Way Monologue” and “Duper Sessions.”
Earlier this year, Lerche released “Phantom Punch.” Produced by Tony Hoffer (Air, Beck), it adopted a more rock-oriented approach. That experience came in handy since Hedges had Lerche work with the “Dan in Real Life” actors on their singing.
“My fondest memories? Teaching Dianne Wiest and John Mahoney to sing Dylan’s ‘Forever Young,’ when I barely knew the song myself and helping my hero Steve Carell with Pete Townshend’s “Let My Love Open the Door” in one of the key scenes of the film,” Lerche recounted on his blog.
For the Southern California appearances, Lerche said “it’s just going to be me and the electric guitar. I’ll mix it up as much as I can. We’ve toured the world with the ‘Phantom Punch’ album and the band. It’ll be refreshing to go out solo again like I did in the past.”