Starting February, critically acclaimed indie rock band Of Montreal kicks off their latest world tour in support of their 11th album Paralytic Stalks. Formed in 1996 by founding member Kevin Barnes, the band has honed its ever-evolving style into an organic and unique blend of indie pop, glamour rock, electronica, psychedelica, and even disco while picking up several accolades on the way. The past ten years in particular have seen the quirky band find mainstream success as well, with appearances at The Lollapalooza music festival, “The David Letterman Show,” and their songs included in commercials for the likes of Outback Steakhouse, Comcast and T-Mobile. Their current popularity around the world is evident as their tour will include stops in Los Angeles, New York, London, Paris, Oslo, Madrid, Rome, Tel Aviv and Istanbul. Lucky for local music fans, Of Montreal visits Mobile once again this March, following up their first appearance in the area on January 16, 2011. Word on the street following that performance—one of the best shows of the year and any music fan unfortunate enough to miss their upcoming show at the Alabama Music Box will be surely be hearing about it for weeks afterward.

Following in the tradition of Flaming Lips, David Bowie and other highly visual artists, Of Montreal performances are known for their stylized and interactive shows that are part live music, part theatrics, part dance party and all around high energy fun. Costumes, set pieces and props are also used in the show, but this is no one-trick gimmick band. No amount of visuals can detract from the fact that this is one seriously talented band. They just happen to be a band that also likes to have fun, and one that thrives on having audience members join in. So notoriously infectious are their shows, even actress Susan Sarandon jumped up on stage during one of their performances and took part in some of the vaudeville antics that typically characterizes their shows. The band’s bassist Davey Pierce was kind enough to do a phone interview after practicing with the band for their upcoming performance on “The Jimmy Fallon Show.”

PL: Hey Dave. How was practice? Are you guys ready yet?

DP: I think so, I hope so (laughs). Actually, we’re good. I’m not too worried about it. I’m sure it’ll be fun.

PL: Now, you guys have done late night shows before. What is that like? Do you guys get a chance to actually have some down time while you’re in New York either before or after the taping?

DP: It’s fun but kind of weird because you basically get there, get two hours to set up, play the song twenty times in a row, and then you tape the show. Also, the studios look so big when you’re watching at home on T.V. and you get there, and it’s actually a lot smaller than it looks. When we did the Letterman Show, Dave’s desk was like, literally fifteen feet away from us and the audience was super close. But yeah, they’re fun and I actually like doing them. As for having any downtime, it’s not really possible with Of Montreal. It’s pretty much a non-stop whirlwind of being shuttled here and there and having to be somewhere else soon afterwards. But when I come with my side project, Yip Deceiver, because we’re a smaller band, the schedule isn’t so packed and we definitely have more freedom to do what we want and more flexibility with our schedule.

PL: Yeah, that makes sense. Speaking of Yip Deceiver, because your side project has also come to Mobile in the past without Of Montreal, you and fellow band member Nick Dobbratz have the distinction of having played Mobile three times already, more than any of the other members from Of Montreal. Afterwards, when you were interviewed with another magazine, you were asked what your favorite city was to play in at the moment, and you said Mobile! Needless to say, when that interview came out, the local music scene here was really excited about that little mention, considering all the cities that you guys have played, and also, because our city is used to getting overlooked by a lot of touring bands. I mean, it’s getting better now, but you know, they’d be on I-10 and would go from Florida and go straight to New Orleans, or go north and do Birmingham and then come back down to do New Orleans or whatever. So I think a lot of the music fans here would like to say thank you and also, of all the cities you guys have played, what made you think of Mobile?

DP: Well, it was the people mostly. The town wasn’t too huge or too small and everyone was just so genuinely nice to us, like really, really sweet and not jaded and they were so into the music and had so much energy at the shows. We didn’t know what to expect and afterwards, we were like, “This is the best place to play in the world!”

PL: Wow, that’s really awesome. I agree, Mobile is a “good” sized city and yeah, fans do get excited when a great band comes through and doesn’t skip us! I sense that we don’t take it for granted.

DP: No, I definitely got that feeling too.

PL: Well, people are already talking about the show next month and I hear that pre-sale tickets have been selling really well, so what can you tell us about this tour and what makes it different from the past tours? I know you guys are releasing your new album this month, and I’m guessing that this tour will be different from the others.