After nearly a decade in New York’s DIY music scene, Tommy Bazarian moved to California. His girlfriend was slated to start grad school in the fall, and so the pair packed up a minivan and drove across the country. What followed was a strange and elongated season: knowing only a few people in town, with long stretches of empty time, in the weird suburbia that is LA, Bazarian found himself brimming with an angst and restlessness he hadn’t felt since high school. Out of those months came Get Serene, the third record from his band and recording project, Lampland. To find out more, I dropped him a line…

“Lampland” is a cool name! What does it mean to you, and how does it relate to your music?

Thank you! Lampland is the name of a crater on the moon. I like that it sounds kind of mundane like a department store but also kind of exciting like an amusement park.

You’ve described Lampland as your “band and recording project.” What’s the distinction between those two terms, and how does it apply to Get Serene? Is the album leaning more in the direction of band or recording project?

When the project started it was just me, and it was sort of an outlet for the writing and recording I was doing at the time. Over the years more people have come into the fold, as part of the live band and in the studio, and it’s feeling more and more like a band these days. 

A move to Los Angeles inspired the album. Why did you move, and how did the move inspire you?

I moved because my girlfriend was starting grad school in LA. I had never imagined living out here, but it’s been great. Now there are sort of two versions of the live band, the east coast and west coast versions, each of which kind of have their own sounds, which has been really fun.

Get Serene is your third record. Do you see it as a step forward? How has your approach to making music evolved over the years?

I do see it as a step forward. In the past I think my music has been pretty referential, like I could tell you what song, or artist, I was aiming for on each track on the album. But with this album I’m not as sure what influences we’re drawing on, which I think is exciting.

The move involved driving a minivan across the country. Did you take any detours, or was it more of a direct route?

We definitely took some detours – we were trying to see a bunch of friends along the route, so we stopped in Louisville, Denver, Phoenix, and a few other places. I love staying at friend’s houses on road trips. I like seeing how different everyone’s lifestyles are. We drove my girlfriend’s 2010 Honda Odyssey across the country, which is my favorite car. We’re on tour right now, and I’m sitting in the same car as we drive up to Oakland 🙂

Before your move to LA, you spent nearly a decade in New York’s DIY music scene. Can you talk a little bit about those years? Who did you play with? What memories stand out?

I love playing music in New York and have met so many great people there. There are a few great venues and recording studios that it feels like people are gathered around. LA definitely feels a little different – it feels more spread out, and a lot of people have amazing music spaces in their houses. Which is awesome for practicing and having house shows, but I think also makes things feel a little more disparate.

And you went back to New York to record the album. What was behind that decision?

I worked with two engineers on the album whose work I really love – Nate Mendelsohn and Katie Von Schleicher. They have a production duo called Shitty Hits Recording Co, and they’re also amazing songwriters – I’m a big fan of both of their bands. Anyway I really wanted to work with them, so I flew out for a month or so. We recorded the basics at Figure 8 Recording in Prospect Heights, and then the overdubs at their apartment.

Do you feel like you’re starting to feel more at home in LA?

Yeah! I grew up on the east coast so it still feels far from home. But it’s such a great city.

The album is about wanting something exciting to happen. Has it?

It’s been really exciting releasing this music. I’ve had some people reach out who have really connected with the album, which is a great feeling.