A Conversation with Paul Banks of Interpol
The frontman discusses architecture and his love of surfing and warm water.
Surfer Magazine had a long-running column in their print edition called ‘People Who Surf.’ I was a bit young to appreciate it entirely – usually skipping it to get to the Kalani Robb interviews — but I’ve come to find these conversations with people who excel at other things outside of surfing — and found surfing in reverse order — extremely refreshing. They always have an appreciation for what makes surfing so special that is wholly unique. Their discovery of the act feels pure. The person I wanted to share today is no different.
This is a short conversation I had a few years ago with an unlikely surfer: The lead singer of Interpol. Since their debut record in 2002, “Turn on the Bright Lights”, Interpol has continued to put out sick records for two decades and counting.
A longtime fan — I remember reading Bram Stoker’s “Dracula” at 18 with the record on repeat in the background. The mood that fell over me has yet to wash away. I became a die-hard fan and the dark-wave tunes they make have soundtracked my life ever since. I never thought, listening back then, that someone who wore suits while playing dark bars in Manhattan would surf.
Came to find out Paul surfs and has a place in Panama he goes to between tours. He has a serious appreciation for the ocean since spending a chunk of time living in Mexico as a kid.
Some photos from Paul ended up on professional surfer Oscar Langburne’s surfboards and Oscar connected me with him. We had a brief chat and some of his perspectives on architecture and the act of surfing have stuck with me ever since.
Editor’s Note: Below is a short sample of what we’ll do here every Thursday moving forward: I will be sharing conversations with people who excel at something or have an experience that makes their surf life unique. I have conversations scheduled with a chef, an actor, several musicians, artists, writers, entrepreneurs, a Hollywood agent and a marine (send your recs over too, btw). But first, Paul Banks of Interpol. —Travis Ferré
*This post was previously published on Inherent Bummer.
Inherent Bummer: So how did some of your photos end up on the quiver of surfboards for a professional surfer in Australia?
Paul Banks: Oscar [Langburne] hit me up on the ‘gram and told me he was a surfer from Australia, a fan of my music and photography, who used images of his favorite bands and movies on his surfboards, and he wanted to know if he could use some of my images on his boards.
I said, “Shit yeah!” I love surfing and am honored by any love from that community.
The photos feature distinct architecture and skylines. What is it that draws you to these structures?
I’ve always been intrigued and inspired by architecture. I remember early on I would speak about my lyrics in terms of skylines — a dissociated amalgam of elements and forms representing diverse times, styles, feelings — yet being taken-in an as one cohesive whole. All the diversity becomes intimate.
But I digress. When I was a kid I was intrigued by skyscrapers because of their perfection. It was alienating and inspiring at the same time. Lines so straight that you’d never find them in nature — stretching high into the sky. Like a flex to God. Created by curvy, malleable, and chaotic human beings. They sort of “unrepresent” us.
You’re a New York-based artist and musician, but tell us about your surfing life?
I surf in Panama on the Pacific side. I tend to go back to one spot between tours. It’s the wave I learned on and the wave I love. I’ve surfed other places too, but to little avail.
I’d surf every day if I could. No question. It truly is the end all, be all. It’s spiritual and athletic in such extreme quantities that I can’t imagine any pastime being more fulfilling.
I’ve been obsessed with waves and the ocean my whole life. I was always a good swimmer and a some-time bodysurfer when I lived in Mexico in high school. I nearly drowned at that time and had to be rescued — and I got the respect for the ocean that is necessary — and I also learned the feel of the waves that way.
I decided finally at 30 that it was time to take my love affair with Mother Nature to the next level.
Has Oscar sent you any photos of him riding the boards?
The boards look amazing! And he’s such a steezy surfer. He recently set a clip to a Muzz tune [Paul’s most recent musical project and band] and it was so epic. Made me very happy.
Any places you’d love to surf? Favorite surfers to watch?
I like John John and J.O.B. and I watch Medina and Toledo and the Brasílian dude who just won [Italo] ...but I’m not that avid or informed as a fan. Which you can probably tell by my list there [laughs]. I’d love to see Pipeline, Shipsterns and Nazare in person — see them, not surf them.
