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"Small Black is one of those bands you feel infinitely cooler by knowing. Their 2010 debut album, New Chain, established the band as a need-to-know force in chillwave\u2014a.k.a. ambient dreampop popularized by favorites like Toro y Moi and Youth Lagoon. And their sophomore record, Limits of Desire? It's even better.\n\n\"Free at Dawn\" is the first single to be released and has already made a huge splash; their newest, \"No Stranger,\" is poised to do the same. Oh, and we're totally not just saying that because we're about to premiere the (gorgeous! artsy! awesome!) Badlands-inspired music video.\n\nWe talked to lead singer Josh Kolenik about his all-time favorite records, why he's inspired by all things weird, and how Robyn influenced the catchy new track.\n\nWhat's \"No Stranger\" about?\n\n I latched on to a very simple sentiment, something that wouldn't be out of place in any radio pop song: That moment when you meet someone, spend all night talking with them, and emerge very hopeful and guarded at the same time. But through the song, I'm betting that hope wins out. I was directly inspired by Robyn. She has a such a fierce vulnerability that I admire. \"Dancing On My Own\" is my anthem.\n\nWhat albums made you decide you wanted to pursue music?\n\n So many! I was raised listening to Neil Young and Bruce Springsteen with my dad. Gradually, I got very obsessed with New York rap music like Wu-Tang and A Tribe Called Quest. I'd say these albums have provided steady inspiration: Brian Eno's Another Green World, My Bloody Valentine's Loveless, David Bowie's Low, Television's Marquee Moon, and Roxy Music's Avalon.\n\nWhat influences the band's sound the most?\n\n I read this amazing essay by the short story legend Raymond Carver on influences. He basically boiled down the events of his every day\u2014dealing with his kids, his job, phone calls, general time distractions\u2014and how, with their constant presence in his life, they forced him to write short stories and not novels. I think that's an interesting way to think about what influences you. For me it was growing up in New York, with parents who did strange things like wake up and work out at 4 in the morning, order food at restaurants in a fake North Carolina accent, and quit their jobs as teachers to become winter clamdiggers. Those are definitely influences.\n\nMy sister is a big influence, too. She lives in L.A. and sends me pictures of her dog in football jerseys. The weird guy around the corner who lived in a caboose and had a huge oak growing out of the center of his house. My Uncle Matt and his surfboard-shaped home. All things that have seeped into my brain and will never leave.\n\nWhat's been your biggest oh-my-gosh-this-is-really-happening moment?\n\n Every night on tour when someone comes up to me and tells me that we're their favorite band or that a song helped them get through a tough situation. I was that kid and it's unbelievably fulfilling and humbling to be on the other side.\n\nCheck out Small Black's new music video for \"No Stranger\" below!\n\n"^^<http://www.w3.org/2001/XMLSchema#string>
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