An interview with Icy Demons

Avery Durnan / The USD Vista

Icy Demons is an interesting name for a band; strikingly paradoxical and unforgettably unique. And if you listen to one of their songs, you might feel the same way about their sound.

Progressive rocker, Griffin Rodriguez, also known as his musical alter-ego, Blue Hawaii, is the engineer behind the musical ensemble, or, as he calls himself, “the arranger.”

Based out of Chicago, Icy Demons combines diverse musical elements in their songs and uses an ever-changing cast of musicians in their recordings to fully satisfy the genre of experimental rock.

Successfully having locked up a fall tour with indie favorites Of Montreal and Yeasayer, Icy Demons is creating more and more buzz in the world of experimental music. Working with Obey Your Brain Records (home to Man Man, Beirut and Chandeliers), Icy Demons recently released their newest album, “Miami Ice,” in 2007.

“Miami Ice” follows two other full-length albums by Icy Demons; “Fight Back!” of 2003 and “Tears of a Clone” in 2006.

The five-piece band is now touring in support of “Miami Ice,” traveling the nation and even making a special stop at UCSD. The self-proclaimed conductor of the operation, Rodriguez, takes a few minutes to talk to The Vista about his music.

The Vista: How did the Icy Demons band come together? Griffin Rodriguez: A friend of mine Chris Powell [drummer for Man Man] and I started the band awhile back as a collaboration between the two of us in 2003. It grew into an actual band in 2004, when we released “Fight Back!”.

V: How would you describe your sound?
GR: A mix of a whole lot of things. I have a really diverse background. I’m Cuban, African American, Irish, a really diverse Chicago style background. Our music is really a reflection of that. Not just my ethnic background, but of diversity. In the city, every block has it’s own unique feel, but mash those up all together and you have unity.

V: Where is the band based? GR: Chicago. We rent this space where good musicians are naturally drawn to through word of mouth. We’re here writing, recording, living as friends.

V: Sounds like a cool spot. Could you tell me more about this place?
GR: It’s a little hard to explain, but the whole band is centered around this space in Chicago. It’s weird because people live here, play here, record here and rehearse here. People who have been a part of the community have a common style and attitude. We are all friends and people who collaborate. So then naturally some just start playing with the band, in a really natural way. So that’s how the band keeps growing.

V: How is the Visual Crystals Tour [Icy Demons’ current tour] going?
GR: It’s going great. We’re working on new material for the spring right now. I’m really excited to be playing with the bands Of Montreal and Yeasayer.

V: Where is your favorite place to play a show?
GR: It’s between Italy and Japan right now. Fans are very hospitable there! But I assume you mean within the states. I love the West Coast, but we don’t play there all too often. But I really love San Francisco, Portland, Seattle, everywhere down the coast to San Diego. My favorite city kind of changes, but right now it’s San Francisco.

V: Where do you draw your inspiration from?
GR: Musically, you mean? I’m going to have to say Stanley Kubrick, a filmmaker who made “A Life of Pictures.” He’s been a big influence on me, I’m very visual. When I’m writing a song, I have to picture it in my head first. I’m constantly more and more into African pop music. There have been a lot of influences on my music, this rapper, Count Bass D, is really amazing. He’s made some great music, sort of making hip-hop art and he’s from Memphis. The people I play with also serve as inspirations to me musically, always bringing up something new.

Check out Icy Demons, either in person at UCSD’s Loft on Nov. 25 or online. The band has a fascinating MySpace page, and their record label, Obey Your Brain Records, has a similarly cool site. Icy Demons’ music is available for purchase on iTunes.