Choo Choo have been wowing audiences across Europe this summer with their own blend of chripy indie pop. With a second studio album currently in the pipeline the hard working Swiss band are going from strength to strength. We were lucky enough to catch up with them in the middle of their busy schedule for a few words.

How did you meet and go on to form the band?

Dan:  Yan (Bass), Sam (Drums) and myself (Guitar & Voice) met in former bands. We basically went to the same school, hung out with the same friends and just very naturally ended up making music together. In 2007 the three of us started CHOO CHOO because we wanted a new band that is combining the Garage Rock Energy with danceable Pop Music. We always knew that CHOO CHOO will need an Organ player. But organ players are not easy to find. We tried to work with different guys before I asked Lili, my girlfriend to join the band and play the organ. It was an instant magical fit. CHOO CHOO really saw the light of day when Lili joined the band. 
  
What’s been happening for Choo Choo in 2009?

Dan:  Well, in March we've been in the states playing at SXSW. We were one of the busiest bands this year, playing 10 shows in 7 days. It was such a crazy time. We met so many great people from all around the world.  We then played a couple of summer shows in Switzerland and Austria before heading to Spain for a show at Vibrasons Festival end of July.  August we were in London playing clubs all around the city. London Calling as they say.  Now we will cut down our live shows for the rest of the year and fully focus on writing new material. We're currently planning a record session in December 09 / January 10. The new Album should then be released in Spring 2010 followed by heavy touring.  For the new album we're also looking for new partners. We're talking to labels and booking agencies to get the right partners aboard.  We're now looking for a good producer.  Soundwise our debut was very much retro and garage oriented. For our next album we wanna get out of the garage. One thing that I always wanted to do is get one or two songs remixed by good electro DJs/producers. That's definitely something we're gonna do with our new recordings. 

Who did you work with on your last album?

Dan:  Our debut album was recorded and produced by Jim Diamond at the famous Ghetto Recorders Studio in Detroit. Jim also did the first two White Stripes albums, lots of work for the Dirtbombs, Mooney Suzuki, Andrew Williams, Compulsive Gamblers and countless other great bands that we admire.

What was the experience like?

Dan:  Recording with Jim was an amazing experience. We had so much fun recording and also hanging out in Detroit. Good memories indeed. 

What’s the music scene like in Switzerland?

Dan:  Switzerland has a good music scene. Lots of cool, hungry, bands playing all sort of music. The stigma for Swiss bands is that almost none of em get noticed outside of Switzerland.  We try to work exactly the other way around.

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