To create his new record, Secret Pop, former Ape House frontman J. Forte took three years of home-recording in his apartment, playing most of the instruments and using a digital recorder that captured everything from his music to background noise like muted voices on the television. The result? A charming lo-fi record that plays off the synth-like stylings of Ape House, but in a darker and more subdued manner.

Lyrical subjects from the always-popular alcohol and disintegrating relationships to a ditty about a doomed satellite in “Come Back Now Baby (Your Data’s Good)" make appearances on Secret Pop, highlighted by fuzzy guitars and Forte's sweet but hushed vocals.

Live, Forte is accompanied by four other multi-instrumentalists, and when I saw them at DC9 a few weeks ago, they were all switching up instruments like it was going out of style. Which makes sense — Forte is no slacker himself in that department, being local band Lejeune's resident multi-instrumentalist expert. At the show, the band alternated between more upbeat electro-pop and mellow, quieter tunes that, while lovely, could have used a shot in the arm of some musical energy.

Forte took some time to speak with DCist about everything from his home-recording process to how his experience with Ape House and Lejeune influence his current music. Read on!

Visit them online at: www.secretpopmusic.com

See the band next at: No upcoming shows planned...yet.

Questions for J. Forte:

Can you tell me a little bit about your involvement in Ape House and Lejeune? How have your involvement in those bands influenced your solo work?

I sang and played guitar for Ape House for about four years. We released two-full length records, Tired of Style and Minutes to Go, and played out quite a bit locally and elsewhere before disbanding in the fall of 2005. I actually wrote and recorded about half of the songs on my solo record, Secret Pop, while Ape House was still playing. I kind of see this record as an extension of what I was doing in Ape House, but these songs are perhaps a little poppier and a little more reflective.

Lejeune and Ape House were good friends and played several shows together, and a few months after Ape House called it quits, Lejeune asked me to join them on keyboards and rhythm guitar. Playing in Lejeune has definitely made an impact on me musically, particularly in regard to how the band arranges and builds songs, so my next solo project will definitely show some of this influence. For instance, being in Lejeune has taught me that songs can actually be longer than two and a half minutes! (the average length of one of my tunes).

Your solo album was recorded in your apartment over a period of several years, correct? Can you talk a little bit about the home-recording process as opposed to studio? Is there one way you prefer over the other?

I recorded the album at my apartment in a pretty lo-fi manner, on a small digital recorder, off and on over a three-year period. The tunes were built one instrument at a time, usually starting with a rhythm guitar and ending with the vocals. I really enjoy recording at home. When you record on your own you tend to end up with something that is pretty unique sounding, because of the limitations you have equipment-wise. You also inevitably end up with some random noises – a phone ringing, or the sound from a television, that become part of the character of the song. Needless to say, it's also a lot cheaper. Recording in a studio is satisfying because you get to utilize nice gear and the end-product is more professional sounding. I would say I'm a home-recorder at heart though. I think one of the main benefits of home-recording is that a song can be recorded right after it is written and is still fresh.

When you recorded this album, were you playing all the instruments? How does that make translating the songs to a live setting? Who are your bandmates, and how did you start working with them?

I did play all of the instruments (guitars, bass, keyboards, percussion) on the album with the exception of the live drums. G.P. Shook, Ape House's former drummer, and current skin-basher for the Breakups, played on five of the songs. We just set up a single microphone in front of the drum kit.

Ody Leonard (bass) and Greg Gendron (drums, guitar, keys) of Lejeune, and G.P. (guitar, drums, keys) are playing with me live as the Secret Pop Band. Inevitably, the songs are going to evolve when other people are involved, but these changes are usually for the best and I think the tunes are more vibrant, rocking and exciting now. There are two drummers in the band, so G.P. and Greg have been alternating on drumming and guitar/keyboard duties. We've been playing together for a few months now.

Who are some of your favorite local bands?

I recently caught a show by Exit Clov and was really impressed. Another Mid-Atlantic fave of mine are the Oranges Band from Baltimore. The show they played at DC9 a few months ago was great.

What's next for you, musically? Will you stick with the solo stuff, or focus more on your involvement in Lejeune?

I actually plan to keep busy with both.

I will be playing some more shows around DC to promote Secret Pop in the coming months and I'm also upgrading my home-recording set-up and will begin work on a new home-recording project this winter. On my upcoming project, I am hoping to bring in the Secret Pop Band and other friends to contribute and play the tough parts that I can't play myself!

Lejeune has completed a new full-length record that's set for a March release, so we will be definitely be working hard and playing a lot of shows to promote that. It turned out really well and I can't wait for people to hear it.

Working on Lejeune and my own material actually provides a great balance. In Lejeune, I can focus on playing guitar and keyboards, while at home on my I can concentrate on writing and recording.

Got any awesome New Years plans?

It's funny, this is the first time I've had plans in three years. My girlfriend and I plan on going to a friend's party here in town to sip a few brews.