If you haven’t heard of The Arcade Fire by now, you haven’t been paying attention. Last fall’s release of their debut album, Funeral, quickly earned the Montreal collective a reputation as one of the most exciting new bands in years. Led by husband-and-wife songwriting team Win Butler and Régine Chassagne, The Arcade Fire have won accolades for their intensely emotional, intensely catchy meditations on loss and life. Win Butler recently took a load off in mtvU’s Hot Seat to talk about the two Davids, the futility of dating and the importance of a good pair of black pants.
Q: Tell us about your craziest touring experience.
A: Probably playing on national television, meeting David Bowie and David Byrne on the same day.
Q: What type of college class would you most want to take and why?
A: I would love to take some more filmmaking classes. I sort of gave up after high school, even though making movies was my favorite thing to do.
Q: What city in America is the most fun to visit and why?
A: I really love New Orleans, but not for the fake Mardi Gras thing. Best food in North America, really interesting architecture and at least a little French culture.
Q: What’s some of the best advice you were ever given?
A: “Dating is a waste of time.”
Q: What’s in heavy rotation in your mp3/CD player right now?
A: Roy Orbison
Q: The last good book you read or TV show you’re addicted to.
A: Régine and I just watched the whole first season of Six Feet Under in two days. I recently reread Heart of Darkness. It is hard to believe English was Conrad’s third language.
Q: What’s the first concert you ever saw? How was it?
A: Maybe U2 at the Astrodome in Houston. It was amazing.
Q: What are three items you can’t live without on tour?
A: A book, my one pair of black pants that actually fit, shampoo.
Q: Who are your major musical influences?
A: Everything: Bob Dylan, New Order, The Pixies, The Cure, Motown, Arvo Pärt.
