It’s been pretty crazy to discover so many talented bands already emerging out of high school into the local music scene. This was certainly not the case in our day. The Deli Philly’s last Featured Artist(s) Poll Winner was The Districts, whose sound pulled from the history of folk rock creating songs that would make its forefathers proud. Now, we have Edelweiss, another group of high school students inspired by the relatively short history of what we’ve come to know as “indie rock.” Check out our recent interview with Edelweiss below, and learn a little more about this all-ages-friendly five-piece.

 

Edelweiss: We started off listening to bands that interested us in the indie scene such as Arctic Monkeys, Bloc Party, and We Are Scientists. We decided one day to try and write our own music. We just started improvising all together as a band and began recording these sessions. Next thing you know, we had some music that sounded pretty good and was to our satisfaction.

TD: Where did the name Edelweiss come from?

 

E: The name Edelweiss actually came from The Porlier's father, Greg Porlier, who thought of the name on a road trip long before the band was together - just a recommendation that has stuck with us since.

 

 

E: Interestingly, we all have pretty varied musical tastes, so we differ in influences but to name a few: Yourself and the Air, System Of A Down, Is Tropical, Maps And Atlases, Arctic Monkeys and Deerhoof would be some that have influenced us to write music.

TD: What artists (local, national and/or international) are you currently listening to?

 

E: We have just finished our first ever tour which went through the north east of America, and we played with some great bands from it which we are currently listening to such as Brownie Mountain, Pilots in Orbit, and The Soviet. Aside from them, everyone has been listening to a wide selection of genres and bands from Oberhofer, Megadeth, System Of A Down, Maps & Atlases and SBTRKT.

TD: What's the first concert that you ever attended and first album that you ever bought?

 

E: The first concerts some of us have attended would include The Editors at Terminal 5, Bloc Party at Roseland, Iron Maiden at Continental Airlines Arena. First albums purchased by the band members include The Casualties' Made In NYC cd/dvd package, Nirvana Box Set, and The Arctic Monkeys’ Favourite Worst Nightmare.

TD: What do you love about Philly?

 

E: Philly is the place to be, awesome artist/music scene around there. Lots to do and plenty to see. It's also far enough away to make a trip out of and close enough to get to reasonably. 

TD: What do you hate about Philly?

 

E: We have not found anything that we hate about Philly…although the last time we were there it was about 105 degrees…but that was everywhere in the Northeast. 

TD: What are your plans for 2012?

 

E: After having come back from our 9 day tour, we are looking into plans to go on a New England state tour later in the year. Of course, we've got our eyes on CMJ along with a trip to SXSW next year, along with plans to continue to steadily write new music and play a bunch of shows in general. We plan to record and release our debut music video for our single from Pre-Columbians, “Icarus.”

 

 

E: We would all have to say our most memorable live show thus far has been our last show we have played in our hometown of Stroudsburg. It was the end of our nine day tour, and we were all excited about coming home to play a fully packed out show in the newest venue in our town, The Living Room. Everyone was jumping around, singing along, and enjoying themselves. Had a great lineup with us, and no technical problems. Can't go wrong with a show like that. We are anxiously waiting to play live again.

TD: What's your favorite thing to get at the deli?

 

E: Favorite thing to get at a deli would be a nice turkey sandwich with Provolone cheese, mayo, pickles, and a cold glass of green tea (if possible). Thank you!