Ice Cream Man

Interview: Liela Moss of The Duke Spirit

Words by Julie Ingram
Photos by

When I spoke to Liela Moss, the lead singer of The Duke Spirit, she was fiddling around in her kitchen, dealing with laundry issues and relaxing in her London flat after returning from a show in Scotland; a typical atypical Londoner.

Let's talk a bit about your musical upbringing. What type of music did you hear around your house growing up?

My mum was a classically trained singer. She sang choral music, in particular that of the famed-Brit John Tavener. So I listened to choral music, medieval stuff, a lot of classical music. My uncle once brought a box set of motown singles to our house. I really liked that. My mom was a teacher too so I'd listen to a bunch of kid folk songs. During the holidays we'd get together and make music. At thirteen I started hanging out with a skater scene; got more into rock bands, probably really bad rock.

So when did you start performing?

I didn't start performing until around the age of 21. I met Luke, and he and I started playing together at different clubs. It was with him where I really cut my teeth performance-wise. That music was more soft and gentle. I remember being in high school and there being a bunch of "bad metallers"; basically dickheads with gel in their hair. I didn't really relate to them. Maybe because they were more rebellious than I. I don't know. It could've been that they were up to something really good, but I just never got to know their scene very well.

You've been touring and traveling a lot. Do you have any favorite places you like to visit?

Los Angeles and New York are great places to call home after living nomadically. In the past couple of years we've made really great friends in both of those cities. We can park there for a few weeks. It's like our world gets smaller, in a good way. For pleasure I like to go to different historical towns in France and Italy.

You started off in art school. Are there artists who inspire your music?

I'm a big fan of the english landscape painters. JMW Turner is one of my favorites. He painted at the turn of the eighteenth century. There are currently a lot of artists in England who are trying to keep up that heritage. I also love Willem de Kooning, Jackson Pollock, Franz Kline; those who contributed to the abstract expressionism scene of New York in the 1950s.

How about movies that inspire you? Any you can think of off the top of your head?

I really love The Straight Story by David Lynch. I like how it's David Lynch but it feels somewhat normal. I just saw a French film called Rififi. It blew me away. There's an intensely-long burglary scene that has no talking. It's completely suspenseful!

Which bands do you like currently?

We just toured a bit with a British duo called Slow Club. They're along the lines of the Moldy Peaches; kind of euphoric and high-spirited. We told them we have to take them to the states with us since Americans are really into the Moldy Peaches sound now. That movie Juno really got their name out there. I love the Black Lips too! Their album Good Bad Not Evil is fantastic.

Ice Cream Man wants to know. What is your favorite ice cream?

Well, although I'm considering veganism, I have to say mint chocolate chip. There's something about the crunch of the chocolate chip mixed with the cleanse of the mint on the inside. On the other hand, maybe something gingery.

photo by Sung Kim