Lulu Lewis is a band in which, we should mention at the start, no one is named Lulu or Lewis. It’s a collaboration between former actress Dylan Hundley (Metropolitan) and multi-instrumentalist Pablo Martin (Tom-Tom Club) that grabbed its name off, of all things, a gravestone.
“I saw it in the Trinity Cemetery and thought it would be a great name for the band,” explains Hundley. “She was a woman in her 80s who never married. I say hello to her now whenever I walk through.”
Hundley and Martin are married as well and started their musical partnership early in their relationship in 2016. “The band evolved pretty quickly,” says Hundley. “But it was more of a rock band at the start.”
The sound is more of an electro-funk thing now, with Martin playing all the instruments on their records.
“I see it as a groove oriented project, but very heavy and confrontational,” says Martin. “I hate labels like post-punk, disco and new wave, but I don’t know how else to describe it.”
“I like to think that we have elements of different musics but we have a sound that is our own,” notes Hundley. She cites favorites such as Roxy Music and LCD Sound System as role models as they don’t fall into “ a specific bucket.”
Having seen the band several times, we are not surprised when Hundley proclaims that “performing is my favorite thing to do in life. I like nothing more than stepping onstage. The energy that I feel is the most exhilarating, wonderful, amazing, satisfying thing on earth to me.”
Martin admits that though he loves performing, “it’s a lot of hard work setting up and breaking down. What I really love is to be in my studio working on a concept. I actually wanted to quit music many times, but ultimately it always saved me.”
There will be lots of chances to see the band in the coming weeks, as they have landed a two-month Friday night residency at the brand new Two Bridges Luncheonette on the Lower East Side. Trigger, the former owner of the now defunct Continental, gave them full artistic control over their gigs, which means that they will be mixing up their guest acts with authors, film makers and others.
The first two nights included the author Steven Blush reading from his book “When Rock Met Disco,” a showing of the Kloster brothers film about the noted East Village photographer Godlis and a somewhat wacky (but fabulous) musical performance by a guy who calls himself “Magic Sandwich.”
“I want to combine the worlds of literature, art and music,” says Hundley of her programming choices. “I like that blend, the way that it used to be here.”
Trigger, who has known Hundley since she was 17, “saw Lulu Lewis in a club and was blown away,” he says. “They are helping to make this place great.”
The upcoming show on Feb. 16 will feature Hundley’s solo project, Darling Black.
“Darling Black is wholly my own and is a place where I am exploring, learning and seeking to find my deepest self as a musical artist. One that is just me,” Hundley says. “I think it’s good to have multiple projects that explore different aspects and combinations. I am 3/4’s done with a full length LP that feels like I am spilling out years of pent up ideas.”
If you want to check out Martin’s side project, you’ll have to head up to Penny Jo’s in Harlem, where his excellent funk band The Du-Rites have an ongoing Wednesday night residency.
Martin and Hundley have somewhat contrasting ideas about their musical goals.
“I like to be pushed by art. … I want people to take away a little bit of discomfort,” Martin relates. “I want them to be thinking about why later on.”
“Pablo and I are different in that, but it all works,” Hundley admits. “I want people to leave feeling energized and excited and inspired.”
Learn more about Lulu Lewis at lululewismusic.com and on Instagram @lululewismusic.
