St. Lucia channels the music of the ’80s while looking forward

St. Lucia vocalist-guitarist Jean-Philip Grobler is an unabashed fan of ‘80s tunes. Such unsung acts as Prefab Sprout and Talk Talk as well as the iconic Michael Jackson helped shape Grobler’s musical mind while coming of age in South Africa.

So it’s no surprise that St. Lucia, who will perform Nov. 3 at the Lincoln Theatre, has been influenced by the sounds of a generation ago. Grobler, who called from Austin, Texas, reveals his favorite style of ‘80s music, how grunge transformed the era and the music he’s listening to today.

1. Why Grobler, who was born in 1983, loves the ‘80s

“It was an era in which recording artists didn’t pander,” Grobler says. “They did what they wanted to do back then. It was an era of aspirational music. It wasn’t all high minded but it was often positive and fun.

St. Lucia is touring behind its latest album, “Hyperion,” which is filled with the band’s most anthemic, upbeat and romantic songs.

“There are so many great love songs from the ‘80s,” Grobler says. “Look at New Order. Look at Prefab Sprout. There were great bands from the ‘80s like Sonic Youth, who I love. But they were nihilistic. I’m about the love songs.”

He said grunge music effectively killed hair metal and the sounds of the ‘80s he loved.

“I was just a kid when grunge arrived but grunge made the ‘80s look stupid,” Grobler says. “The ‘80s wasn’t stupid. But grunge took music into another direction, which is healthy.”

2. He has his finger on the pulse of new music.

Grobler doesn’t just revel in his musical ancestors.

“I’m a fan of people who take risks,” Grobler says. “Look at Kanye West. Love him or hate him, he takes chances. He’s always moving on to the next crazy idea. I love Kali Uchis. She’s a new artist who does the pop thing but she retains her identity. Too many young recording artists just try to jump on a trend.”

3. His music is positive.

If you’re looking for cynicism or irony, St. Lucia’s not your band.

“There is so much of that kind of music out there,” Grobler says. “We’re an alternative from the negative. Go back to the ‘60s and there is so much up music out there. We don’t get down despite the climate today.”

4. Album cover art matters.

“Hyperion” and 2016’s “Matter” are throwbacks; their cover art is actual art.

“I guess I go back with this one, too,” Grobler says. “I love album covers. The shame of it is that the art in many cases was disregarded in the download era. We’re trying to change that.”

5. His group is family.

Couples in bands may tend to break up but Grobler and his keyboardist wife, Patti Beranek have been together for years.

“I know a lot of husbands and wives can’t imagine being around each other all of the time but it works for us,” Grobler says. “We’ve been together forever (since 2002) and it’s working.”

6. He’s doing what he’s always wanted to do.

While growing up in South Africa, Grobler was part of a choir that toured internationally.

“I loved singing and performing in front of people at an early age,” Grobler says. “This is what I was meant to do.”

His advice for fledgeling songwriters is to ignore everything, except what’s inside of you.

“The art of music is all about doing what you want to do,” Grobler says. “However, so much thought is put into how to get onto the Spotify playlist or appealing to Pitchfork. You have to do what moves you. That’s what Michael Jackson did. That’s what New Order did. With St. Lucia it’s the same. We don’t let outside forces dictate what music we make.”

Details

Who: St. Lucia with Air Park

When: 9 p.m. Nov. 3

Where: Lincoln Theatre, 126 E. Cabarrus St., Raleigh

Tickets: $29

Info: 919-821-4111 or lincolntheatre.com

This story was originally published November 2, 2018 at 12:26 PM.