From the Velvet Underground to Sonic Youth, New York City has a long tradition of avant-garde rock. And few contemporary bands better represent that spirit of experimentation than Blonde Redhead. Depending on who you ask, the trio has been around for 10-15 years, evolving over time from a no-wave informed experimental act into purveyors of comparatively palatable shoegaze pop. The band has managed to achieve a high level of visibility in the underground almost entirely through word of mouth, with little intervention by the press–a testament to the respect and devotion that they command from their fans.

In advance of their show at the 9:30 Club this Wednesday (as you’ll recall, we were quite impressed the last time they played there), DCist caught up with ethereal-voiced frontwoman Kazu Makino, to ask her a few questions about the band’s latest tour and their most recent album, last year’s 23.

You guys played quite a few dates in the U.S. last year and now, after a brief European tour, you’re back again. Any plans to take a break soon?

[Laughs] Actually, this tour is partially to make up for some dates that we missed last year. D.C. was just added because it was on the way. I hope people come out again.

Do you guys usually get a pretty good response here?

Yeah, it’s always great to come to D.C. And we have quite a few friends there, so it’s always fun.

Do you guys have any plans to go back into the studio after the tour, or at some point later this year?

Yeah, we’re staring to think about the next album and where we would want to write it. We’ve also been looking at a few films that we’ve been asked to do the soundtracks for. I think we need to just sit down, spend some time at home and decide what we’re going to do.