Yvette Tan just launched her first book, a collection of dark short stories entitled “Waking The Dead” (Anvil Publishing), to much acclaim and enthusiasm. Send questions and comments at Luis at thekingofnothingtodo@yahoo.com.

This is a very special edition of “Luis Listens,” and as you know, by “very special” I mean that I got someone else to do all the work again. This time, that someone else is award-winning writer Yvette Tan, who among many other things may well be the most devoted fan in this country of the internationally-acclaimed rock band Placebo.

For those unfamiliar with Placebo, a few notes: they emerged in the mid-‘90s and made a name for themselves with tight yet passionate songwriting, intense live performances, androgyny and openness about their sexuality, a strong Bowie influence, and the ability to use the word “leitmotif” credibly—even casually—in a song’s lyrics. And now, take it away, Yvette:

Earlier this month, I got to see Placebo perform live in Hong Kong. The tour was to promote their latest album, the highly awaited Battle for the Sun. It is the band’s sixth album, following Meds, which was released in 2006. Past hits have included “Pure Morning,” “Without You I’m Nothing,” “Special K,” “Meds” and their cover of Kate Bush’s “Running Up That Hill.”

Much has changed since Meds. Aside from moving to a different record label, the band now has a new drummer, Steve Forrest, a 22-year old American who they met when his band opened for them while on tour.

The band’s music has likewise changed, from minimalistic to melancholy to electronic-fueled to the latest album’s more expansive sonics.

Here’s an excerpt from my interview with vocalist/ guitarist Brian Molko and guitarist/bassist Stefan Olsdal on the new album, the new drummer, and the probability of them performing in Manila.

Battle for the Sun seems lighter than your other albums.
Brian: Probably in theme and what we’re trying to get across, which is hope, I suppose. I think we felt that the last album didn’t offer the listener a great deal of hope and we wanted to do something that was less somber and more colorful.
Stefan: Compared to the last one, there are a few major differences. One is the lineup. I think when we made Meds, it was kind of the beginning of the end of that lineup, really. Making this record was kind of purging the past and kind of reaffirming the fact that we really want to be in a band.

Why did you guys decide to change your sound?
Brian: The problem with electronics is that technology moves so quickly that the more electronics you use, the quicker your music becomes dated... We chose to use the type of instrumentation like piano, string and horns, brass because we’ve always been trying to make a timeless record and this time around... You now you’re always trying to make a record that transcends the genre as well. And we also try to make records that don’t have a type of blanket sound, [it should have] a lot of variation.

How is it working with Steve Forrest?
Brian: Sometimes it’s great. Sometimes it’s amazing. And sometimes, you just want to put him in a bag and drown him. There’s a massive age difference between us.
Stefan: There’s a massive cultural difference. He’s American. Born and bred.
Brian: But he is an extremely talented musician. And there’s a real synergy between us when we play as Placebo. It kind of feels like being in a band with your little brother and little brothers can drive you crazy.

You guys do a lot of covers. How do you decide which music to interpret?
Brian: We don’t spend a lot of time thinking about it. The first bulk of covers that we did are basically covers of the songs that we grew up with on the radio. These days, we’ve decided to cover more modern songs, songs by our contemporaries. But it’s very spontaneous because we might decide a couple of days beforehand, we don’t rehearse, we just go into the studio, ‘How should we do this?’ And if you do, the pressure’s off. It’s not your song. You’re still making music but you’re taking a vacation...

You’ve also collaborated with a lot of artists. Which was your most fun collaboration?
Brian: I can’t answer that question. That would upset everybody else, wouldn’t it?

You guys were very quiet during dinner. Does this mean you’ve toned down on the rock and roll lifestyle?
Brian: Well, I never used to take drugs and sleep with groupies during dinner. I always do it after dinner.

Will we be seeing you perform in Manila next year?

Brian: Hopefully.