Pepper Rabbit’s off to quite a busy 2011 so far: after releasing their debut album, Beauregard, late last year, the duo of Xander Singh and Luc Laurent has played a non-stop string of shows with the likes of Passion Pit, Freelance Whales and Miniature Tigers.

I recently had the opportunity to interview Xander Singh – here’s what he had to say on Pepper Rabbit’s recent and future endeavors:

MC: Hi Xander! So the last time you spoke with Bestnewbands.com, you were working on material for a new album in between shows with Freelance Whales and Miniature Tigers. Have you been able to take a decent amount of time off since then?

XS: I’m very happy to report that we have finished the record! 10 brand new final mixes just waiting to be mastered and released. We’ve had the past few days since getting home from the studio to relax and see friends. Luc has been making sure to get in lots of girlfriend time before we head out and I’ve been hastily getting through my recently acquired and very large Blu-Ray collection.

MC: How was touring with Passion Pit – any memorable stories from those shows?

XS: It was great! At first a bit daunting since we’d never played venues that large or in front of so many people, but we quickly adjusted and the nervousness faded after a few night and we had such a great time! The Passion Pit guys are great friends of ours so it was great to hang with them and also the guys from We Barbarians and Mister Heavenly; both bands that were a joy to watch every night.

MC: Care to share your New Year’s resolutions, if you made any? If so, how have those been working out so far?

XS: We’ve been so busy I think I forgot to make any! I’ll have to get back to you on that.

MC: What can fans expect from this upcoming tour with Ra Ra Riot?

XS: I think the concert goers can expect to see a pretty great night of music. We’ve been big fans of Givers and Ra Ra Riot for a while now so were itching to get on the road with them and see them play ourselves!

MC: You’d previously mentioned to Laurel Kathleen that you may be heading to SXSW this year – any other big venues or festivals we might catch you at (Sasquatch!, Bonnaroo, etc.)?

XS: We will be at SXSW playing as hard as we can and as much as we can. As for any other festivals we’ll just have to see! It’s been a big dream for a while to make the rounds at the summer festivals so we’ll keep our fingers crossed.

MC: Any new/upcoming artists you’re listening to right now?

XS: I just found out about James Blake and I’m really excited for his debut record to be released. It’s awesome to see a resurgence of soulful voices in music. And everyone needs to go listen to all three albums by Salem Al Fakir.

MC: Where do you go to find new music?

XS: I mostly find out about new bands from friends – mostly by way of Facebook, I have to say.

MC: What’s coming up next for Pepper Rabbit after this tour?

XS: Well we have most all of February off, so likely I’ll get back to writing new material and hopefully find time to make record #3 this year. And touring, lots of touring!

Pepper Rabbit will be in the Pacific northwest this week, stopping at the WOW Hall in Eugene tonight, Hawthorne Theater in Portland tomorrow and Neumo’s in Seattle on Thursday.