Interpol on politics, fatherhood and making their masterpiece

Interpol’s eighth album, This Mirror Weighs a Ton, is being described by the band as their masterpiece. Frontman Paul Banks says: “We just all really showed up,” after the group expanded to a quintet with touring musicians Brad Truax and Brandon Curtis becoming full-time members.

The record, produced by Andrew Wyatt, ranges from a trip-hoppish opener and jazz-fusion synth to xylophones, woodwind and the piano ballad Enemy, while even the indie-disco hits return with songs like Wake Up. Banks, who lives in Berlin with his wife and two young children, speaks of fatherhood as a spur to better work.

“Having children, to me, is maximum fulfilment,” he says, and adds that he does not want “any mediocre work” if his job keeps him away from family. Lyrically the album reaches into the present moment too, grappling with AI and the war in Ukraine.

Germany, Berlin

interpol, paul banks, interpol album, andrew wyatt, brad truax, brandon curtis, wake up, enemy, fatherhood, ukraine war