Written by Shea Roney | Photos by Braeden Long

Amongst Chicago’s most invigorating and animated scenes comes the band P. Noid, founded by Saskia Lethin and Jack Abbott, who just over a year ago released a tape called Penelope Noid via GIANT—BEAT. These songs are wiry, but tough as the drums kick rocks and the melodies linger, live and prosper in the divots of whatever was dented on impact. It’s a crash course in infatuation; live fast, dream big, die hard, where pop songs have acne scars and the cigarettes taste like those leftovers you’ve been dreaming about in your fridge all day. Having played in several other bands around the city’s dentures, heralding fame from Bungee Jumpers, Answering Machines and several more, Lethin and Jack write songs with loose charisma, unrestricted in the realms of lo-fi recordings and day-job-daydreams. P. Noid revels in the genuine excitement of rock and roll, generous enough to capture it in a jar and share it to the rest of us to sway, thrust and jump to till the morning comes back around for one more hit.

We got to ask Saskia and Jack about one year of Penelope Noid, blending mediums and saving any residue that may be left behind.

Approaching one year of your album Penelope Noid, how do those songs fit in your lives where you’re currently at? What does that project mean to you now that it’s been out and about for a while?

Putting it out was like popping a big pimple. It was a lot of angst but now we’re feeling more feisty. And we wanna replicate what we did for the recording where we did it all in one night because the songs do well with like low-stakes spontaneity. But more rocking less rolling. Penelope Noid will forever be cherished within our hearts but it’s time to put something new out for sure. 

Did you have any goals when you went to make Penelope Noid? Anything you tried out or wanted to come across?

No. Like we said low-stakes and spontaneous punk rocker vibes. But what happened happened. And life is an experience you can’t really control how the dice roll you know? Because it’s all in gods hands at the end of the day. 

Do you two have prior experience making music? If so, how did that come together when starting p. noid? 

We’d already written songs for Bungee Jumpers before this. I, Saskia, used to write these atrocious gay songs and it didn’t ever feel like i improved. Jack came out of the womb with an guitar and has literally never stopped shredding so honestly he legally has to play in bands because otherwise he’s just annoying and loud. After we did bungee jumpers I gained some confidence and then wrote this stuff and since jack wouldn’t shut up so i put him behind the drums. And he gets paid a hell if a lot like you don’t even want to KNOW how much money this guy rakes in. 

You both are involved in different creative mediums outside of your music. Do those experiences inspire what goes in and comes out of your music? Is there anything your interested in experimenting with?

One of the most fun things about being in a band is getting to make the art. Life is an experiment and the artwork is the residue of Experience. 

Playing shows frequently around the city with both local and touring acts, do your songs find their way through live shows? Do you use the space to try anything new?

Fun’s residue is simply intoxicating. Which means that wherever we go and whatever we do… Fun will follow! And rock ALWAYS follows fun. So when we’re playing shows it’s a fun time. You should come see us. We are playing at the metro tomorrow. Who knows what lies ahead. All we know is 1. Money 2. Fun 3. Residue 4. Women 

The phrase “man power go” is both sampled on the album and is used in your instagram bio. Where did this phrase come from and how have you utilized it to fit what p. noid is to you?

Because sometimes a man should use his power to get out of here. But we use our power to go crazy and rock. It’s just a sentiment and a thought. A bit of residue perhaps. It used to make us laugh a lot but now it’s just sinister. 

Do you have anything planned for the future? Anything you’re excited about?

Bungee Jumpers tour P Noid new tape. Actually, new tapes for everybody. In the next coming months. And we’re starting several new bands. Lock in. We’re jealous of you because you get to experience all the residue. We’re just here for the money and women.

You can listen to Penelope Noid now on Bandcamp.