Retro indie pop band Brigitte Calls Me Baby stopped by for a Live & Direct Session on Friday, May 10. The Chicago band passed through Pittsburgh and stopped by WYEP for an interview and songs from their new release This House Is Made of Corners.
Set list:
You Are Only Made Of Dreams
Eddie My Love
Palm of Your Hand
Impressively Average
Interviewer: Rosemary Welsch
Engineers: Thomas Cipollone, Tom Hurley
Their conversation has been edited for length and clarity:
Rosemary Welsch: We're live here on 91.3 WYEP with Brigitte Calls Me Baby, a band that’s getting a lot of media attention right now. Their first album, “This House is Made of Corners,” is about to be released. How does it feel to be heading into the studio for the first time with a storied producer like Dave Cobb? Are you exhilarated or a bit intimidated?
Wes Leavins: Definitely excited. I wasn’t really intimidated, but there was a lot of growth. A good producer pushes you out of your comfort zone, and that definitely happened with me. Singing everything live and trying to get as much in one take as possible were important to Dave and have become important to me.
Welsch: You mentioned that a good producer pushes you out of your comfort zone. Does an audience ever push you out of your comfort zone as well? Have you ever found yourself in front of an audience where you thought, "I’m not sure what’s going on here, but I need to adapt"?
Leavins: Yes.
Welsch: Can you give us some insight into that?
Leavins: You get a lot when people give a lot. If the audience isn’t giving much, it’s harder to give. But you still have to perform because that’s the idea. When you receive something from the audience, it fuels you, making it easier to give back. Thankfully, lately, we’ve been getting more.
Welsch: Going back to Dave Cobb, he’s produced so many records and worked with many artists. Did you have songs planned, and did he offer different ideas? How did that process work?
Leavins: I was working with Dave on a movie soundtrack. We got along well, and he asked if I had songs. I said yes, but I wasn’t ready to send anything. So, I ended up writing three songs in one day — “You Only Made A Dream,” “Eddie, My Love,” and another I can’t remember. I sent those to him, and he asked for more.
Welsch: It sounds like you put yourself in a position to be pushed out of your comfort zone.
Leavins: I knew I wanted to work with him and that I had songs, but nothing I felt ready to send. So, I had to figure it out, which informed the album that will be out soon. In hindsight, I’m glad it went that way.
Welsch: You mentioned working with Dave on a movie. It wasn’t just any movie — it was Baz Luhrmann’s Elvis film. That’s a major project. How did you get involved in that?
Leavins: I did a show in New York about Sun Records and the history of music in Memphis. I believe that’s how Baz heard about me and asked me to work on the film’s music.
Welsch: So Baz called you out of the blue?
Leavins: Yes.
Welsch: Did you think it was a prank?
Leavins: There was no warning, so I just picked up the call.
Welsch: I haven’t had that experience. I’ve answered calls, but they were never from Baz Luhrmann. You were involved in the Million Dollar Quartet with Johnny Cash, Carl Perkins, Jerry Lee Lewis, and Elvis. After touring for about six months, did you start to see yourself as similar to these legendary figures? Did it impact how you view your own career?
Leavins: In a way, but they were larger-than-life characters. It felt quite different. That experience was necessary but not entirely enjoyable for me.
Welsch: It’s clear that you’ve gained something from it, and people are eager to hear more. Let's discuss some of your influences. Elvis is obvious, but your music blends various styles.
Eddie My Love
Welsch: We're live with Brigitte Calls Me Baby and their new album, “This House is Made of Corners.” You mentioned earlier that this is out as an EP, with the full album coming next.
Leavins: Yes, that’s right. The EP is out now, and the full album will be released soon.
Welsch: That’s exciting! I assume you’ll be touring once the album is out. You’re getting used to the routine of appearing on morning shows and showing the world what you’ve got. Your music has clear influences, like The Smiths — sometimes I almost hear Morrissey's voice. Can you tell me about the bands that have influenced you the most and how they’ve inspired your music?
Leavins: I’m thankful for being exposed to a wide range of music from a young age. This exposure helped me develop an open mind. I remember weekends where I’d listen to The Strokes and Arctic Monkeys with friends, then Roy Orbison at my grandma’s, and Depeche Mode with my parents. My brothers were into hip hop. All these influences shaped me. It was challenging at first to find my own sound, but eventually, it became second nature. When you write from what you feel, it naturally reflects who you are.
Welsch: You started writing at 13. Even if your early songs weren’t perfect, starting somewhere is essential. I read that writing helps you discover who you are and what you think. In some of your songs, like "Eddie My Love," you explore different aspects of yourself. Is identity a key part of creating your music?
Leavins: Yes, being in touch with your identity is crucial. Most people, including myself, are contradictions. Feelings and thoughts can change, so staying connected to where you are in the moment is important. It’s less about overthinking and more about expressing what you feel and finding the best way to convey it.
Welsch: I’m curious about your background. It’s surprising that a 13-year-old from Port Arthur, Texas, would know about someone like Brigitte Bardot. That’s how the band got its name, and the story is fascinating. Can you share more about your background and how it led to the band’s name?
Leavins: Port Arthur is a place where there’s not much to do but dream about getting out. It’s easy to romanticize and look up to creative people who have made things happen. The world feels very large when you’re in a place like that. It’s a small, quiet place with not much going on. As for Brigitte Bardot, I remember seeing her image and finding it striking. In high school, we had an assignment to write to a notable person. Some wrote to Bill Gates and got an Xbox, so I decided to write to Brigitte Bardot. I found out she was still alive, so I wrote to her. It took a while to get a response because she was in Paris, but eventually, I received a letter. We kept in touch briefly for a few months.
Welsch: I’m impressed that a teenager would reach out to Brigitte Bardot. It makes me wonder about your cultural exposure. We’ve discussed your musical influences, but it sounds like you were also exposed to film and other cool things. You must have had some interesting people in your life.
Leavins: Yes, I did, and some not so much. I tried to stick around the ones who were positive influences.
Welsch: You did get out of Port Arthur, which, by the way, is where Janis Joplin also came from. I understand your grandmother went to school with her.
Leavins: She did. They graduated together.
Welsch: That’s wild. Now you’re in Chicago with your band. Before we continue, let’s acknowledge the other members here.
Leavins: Sure, everyone should introduce themselves.
Other members include: Jack Fluegel, Trevor Lynch, Devin Wessels, and Jeremy Benshish.
Welsch: Jeremy, hiding behind the drums!
Leavins: Thank you, Silent Romeo.
Welsch: I know you’ll be heading back to Chicago soon, which is a bit bigger than Port Arthur. Dreams can grow there. Let’s get another song from Brigitte Calls Me Baby. We’ll all be very happy here at WYEP.
Palm of Your Hand