Last night at The Satellite marked the third week of Alberta Cross‘ May Tuesday night residency. BestNewBands.com alums Chasing Kings performed right before the quintet, and I had a hard time discerning who the crowd was really there to see (for the full BestNewBands.com interview with Chasing Kings, please click here). The venue was packed when I arrived during the middle of Chasing Kings‘ set, which was no surprise as the LA-based quartet sounds more and more polished every time I hear them play. Last night they were joined onstage by live artist Norton Wisdom, a man whose creative presence provides a dark and provocative backdrop for their pristine indie rock. After half of the audience returned from their between-set smoke break, Alberta Cross took the stage. It was a far more relaxed vibe, but the group knew how to build on that calm to keep the audience’s attention riveted to the stage. A week ago I exchanged questions via email with the band, and when I got the responses two days ago I felt sure that they would be as hilarious onstage as they were in text. Turns out, the band takes their craft very seriously. There wasn’t a lot of chitchat between songs, and there was a lot of emotional heft to the band’s delivery. That’s not to say they weren’t fun to watch, but they definitely were slow to really cut loose and rock out. But much like their refreshingly humorous replies to my interview questions, Alberta Cross‘ unique stage performance only enhanced their appeal.

Laurel Kathleen: What were your first two residencies like at The Satellite?

Alberta Cross: Really grand! It’s been really good for us to road test our new songs in our new hometown. It’s nice to get out of the studio once a week…and it’s great to see so many people at the shows every week.

LK: Tell me a little about this merch designing contest that you have going.

AC: Well we thought it was a good idea to try something different. I’m sure it’s a lot of amazing art designer peeps out there that are into our band and it would be a good feeling to have one of our fans designing stuff for us instead of someone just doing it for work.

LK: You’re playing several festivals in the next few months. Is there one that you’re all particularly excited about, or is each member of the band interested in different ones?

AC: I think all of them are gonna be mega! We have been in the studio for a long time now so we’re all really dying to get out there and play all the new stuff for everyone. Bonnaroo is pretty much my favorite festival in the world. It has just got something unbeatable about it. It feels like Glasto in England but in Manchester, Tennessee. But having said that I think the DMB Caravan is gonna be awesome too. I cant wait to see The Flaming Lips…I haven’t seen them in ages. Festivals are the pay off of the year for any band…. I love ‘em!

LK: Any other artists you’ll be sharing festival stages with that you’d like to meet?

AC: Well we have been lucky enough to get to know a lot of grand artists and bands because of festivals and all the touring we’ve done…so Im looking forward to catch up with all of them. I know Buffalo Springfield are playing Bonnaroo so I’d love to meet them for sure….We played a show with Neil Young a couple of years ago in Hyde Park in London. His show was brilliant… pretty much the best show I’ve seen. So I’m hoping this show at Bonnaroo will be as good..if not better.

LK: What bands did you bond with your bandmates over when you first came together?

AC: Lady Gaga and Bon Jovi.

LK: What’s something that’s changed and something that’s remained the same for the band over the course of your history?

AC: Music…we have evolved. McDonald’s still dont serve milkshakes between 3am and 6am.

LK: Who do you think are the game-changers in music right now?

AC: There are a lot of good bands out there right now. I don’t know if they are game-changers but they are pretty damn good. The last game-changer I saw was Prince. Me and Alec went to see him play down at The Forum here in LA. He was incredible! The last of the real performers for sure. I’m sure that we will get more people like him in the future…but who ever they are they got a lot to live up too.

LK: What past or present global phenomenon has united or divided your band?

AC: Subway.

If you missed Alberta Cross last night at The Satellite in Los Angeles, you can catch them next week for the last night of their residency at. After that, they’ll be heading up the coast to Portland for a show at Mississippi Studios. Be sure to check out their website and Facebook page for their upcoming tour dates around the US this summer, and don’t forget to follow them on Twitter!