PATRICK SANTAMARIA of THE VALENTINOS

The Valentinos are back in Australia after a lengthy international tour, currently gearing up to play shows with hyped French electro-booty femme Uffie. As a cherry on top of their year, the band also feature on the ultra-hip New Rave compilation Kitsune Maison 3…let’s see what they think about all this.

Tell us about some highlights from the recent UK/Switzerland/Japan tour? Where did they party the hardest?

The whole trip was one highlight, but if you had to narrow it down to a few moments, I’d have to give it to “road bitch” (she insisted we call her that) – our tour manager in the UK. The time we spent with her were some of the most disturbing days I've ever experienced; between helping her steal equipment and fending off rape attempts, we managed to play some amazing gigs with her. Japan was pretty crazy too – they sure do live up to all their clichés.

How did you cope with the heavy touring schedule?

It wasn't so bad – I just tried to think of it as a holiday with friends on the wrong side of the world.

I read that Kitsune shortened the Bag Raiders Kafka remix on their recent compilation. Is it worthwhile having tunes, remixes or not, messed with to get on a high-profile label comp?

I doubt they would have asked for a shortened version if it wasn't a remix. The original Kafka remix was a seven-minute long affair that usually only comes on 12”, so it was totally understandable. Although they did shorten my favourite bit.

Why do you think bands like yourself, Van She, the Juggs, Cut Copy, Presets, et al are generating such international attention currently?

Because we're not so bad – we're even a little bit fun! Kids like fun.

Preferred tour bus listening: New Rave, Old Rave, or Country & Western?

Flu Rave. Once someone gets it on the tour bus it's all over.

Which Valentino is the most likely to drunkenly attempt to chat up Uffie during the upcoming tour?

It better be Nik – he's the only single boy, but I think Feadz might have something to say if he does try it.

What’s next for the Valentinos in 2007?

If we make it through the end of this year, I'm sure we'll be thinking about an album soon.

The Valentinos play Thursday Dec 21 at the Berlin Bar with Uffie, DJ Feadz, Don Nadi, and The Juveniles. Kitsune Maison 3 is out now through Inertia.

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