Interview and photos by Jack Foley
I caught the Laughing Chimes earlier this year, opening for the Chicago group Lifeguard at Ace of Cups. Their sound really caught my attention–it’s truly timeless, you could say it’s ripped off a cassette found in an old shoebox and I would fully believe you. It’s warm, nostalgic, and dripping in jangly angst. I caught up with the group at their latest performance in Columbus at Cafe Bourbon Street to chat about music.
Polyvox: How did The Laughing Chimes first come together?
Evan: Quinn and I are brothers, we started it back in 2020 just as a recording project out of our bedroom. From there we recorded a whole album worth of material, since that was, like, during COVID time and we couldn’t go out and play. But, I mean, playing live was always a goal. And yeah, once we got that first album done in 2021, we went from there and started playing live in 2022. We got Ella on board in late 2023, she plays guitar, and then I taught Kyle how to play bass over the summer.
Polyvox: So, would you say that being in and around the Southeast Ohio area has influenced the way that you’ve approached your music?
Evan: I think so, in terms of the vibe. I feel like we try to bring some of the atmosphere to the music. I don’t know if it’s influenced it in the way that, like, genre-wise, because obviously, where we’re from, there’s a lot of folk and stuff, which I like that stuff, but it’s just not what we play. But we try to bring some of that darker kind of atmosphere to it.
Polyvox: Yeah, definitely. That sort of gothic aesthetic.
Evan: Yeah, totally.
Polyvox: Describe your music in three words.
Evan: (Laughing) Ooh, not too bad, not too bad.
Polyvox: I know this is a super loaded question. I wouldn’t even know where to begin.
Evan: Dreamy, nostalgic, pop.
Polyvox: You can play on a bill with any three artists, defunct or active. Who is on that bill?
Evan: Number one would be R.E.M., number two would be The La’s, and number three would be Guided By Voices.
Quinn: Joy Division, Nation of Language, and Cocteau Twins.
Polyvox: Who are your greatest influences as a band?
Kyle: My goal is to become Simon Gallop of The Cure. That’s like my absolute goal.
Quinn: Keith Moon, Stephen Morris, and Jimmy Chamberlin.
Evan: If we’re going instrument-wise, Peter Buck, the guitar player for R.E.M. is definitely one of my big heroes. Obviously, Johnny Marr, too.
Ella: I’m going to be an outlier here for guitar and say Dean Ween. He’s amazing. He’s like my favorite guitarist ever.
What’s your biggest music hot take?
Evan: Quinn–you want to go for yours? Isn’t it something about Depeche Mode being like, the most overrated band ever?
Quinn: Oh, yeah. Depeche Mode is the most overrated band.
(everyone laughs)
Ella: I like Blur more than Oasis.
Polyvox: (laughing) Unfortunately, I am a huge fan of “Definitely Maybe,” but I see where you’re coming from. The Gallagher brothers are insufferable.
Kyle: I’m gonna have to be real, I think the entire genre of emo shouldn’t exist. Anyone who calls themself an emo should be ashamed.
Polyvox: Not even Midwest emo?
Kyle: No. (laughs)
Polyvox: Fair enough. Last question–what’s next for The Laughing Chimes?
Evan: Well, we’re working on some new demos right now. I kind of had, like, a little bit of a songwriting block over. I always have a songwriting block over the summer, and I was trying to kind of work my way through it, but we’re working on some new demos, trying to get that figured out. Since Ella and I are graduating from college soon, we’re just trying to figure out, like, where we’re gonna go after that, figure out what the move is from there.
Polyvox Magazine 
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