Echo Park Rockers Le Switch Call It A Day

The news last week of Le Switch calling it a day feels like the end of an era for the collection of groups you guys came up with. Thoughts?

End of an era for me personally, for sure. Most of the bands that we came up with over the years are still around and going strong. I tip my hat to them. A few have perished.

You all were around for a good five-plus years. From your vantage point, how have things changed, locally, in music since 2006?

I think the economy really changed people’s bar/club habits. I don’t think people are going out as much as they used to. Also, our little community of bands has changed quite a bit. Some of the bands relocated, some broke-up, changed their names, a couple became huge successes and the rest are still around doing it weekly.  I think that’s the normal progression of a tight knit group of bands that all support each other as friends and music peers. It happened with the scene before us with bands like The Silversun Pickups, Radar Bros., Earlimart, Irving, etc. and will definitely again.

Le Switch's music changed as you went along, both in personnel and sound. What led you to finally shuttering the group?

It was a culmination of a lot of things.  We started recording a new album and came upon some big realizations. We all wanted to do something else, something new. There’s still talk of working on a new project together in the future. For now, I think we’re all enjoying the break.

You have a new project, Geronimo Getty, featuring Le Switch's Chris Harrison. Is this new sound where you saw Le Switch moving if you'd kept going or is it a different beast entirely?

I think Geronimo is an extension of the more country style songs we did in Le Switch. Joe and I started Le Switch out of a true love for 60’s pop. I write more country songs than I do anything else. All of this material has been waiting in wings over the years. It’s been really great watching these songs come to life recently.

You just announced a farewell show for later this summer. What can we expect?

Folks can expect a lot of old material and a fun party with some our favorite bands. Trying to keep it light.

Will former members and friends be sitting in?

Yes. For sure. Maria will be back for a few songs.

Thanks for all the tunes. If you had to choose a song to encapsulate the band's journey, what would it be?

"People Change" by Nick Lowe. Seems appropriate.