Though they come from a city of crashing waves, steep streets and ever-present fog, Painted Palms are able to create a portal to another world with their music. One that's composed of cities in the sky, waterfalls you can't hear and where time can never find you, which is appropriate given their music sounds timeless in the sense that it's both current and futuristic.

The duo is comprised of singer Chris Prudhomme and Reese Donohue, who acts as producer. Prudhomme's voice is haunting and soothing all the same, working in tandem with the throbbing and skittering synths that wooze like a brightly lit carnival ride at night. The songs are punchy gems of electro pop, melodic with sing-song qualities that will have you swaying and crooning along. They released their latest album Horizons on Polyvinyl in September and are currently on tour across the US and Canada.

Hometown/Homebase: San Francisco

How did the two of you initially meet?

Not long after Chris came home from the maternity ward. Chris and I are cousins, our moms are sisters, and we've spent a lot of time together from a young age.

What are the strengths and weaknesses you each bring to the band as individuals—either musically or not—that balance out and contribute to your collaboration?

In some ways, we have very different approaches to making music. Whereas I tend to take a bit more of a structured approach to building a song, Chris cuts loose and engages spontaneity. In that way it feels like we can create a mutual space to highlight each other's strengths.

What were the inspirations behind your new album Horizons?

Björk, Björk, and Björk. We focused heavily on ‘60s song structure and writing, and trying to space that out with synthesizers and ethereal elements. But Björks hyper-lucid and otherworldly cloud is incredible and completely inspiring for us.

How did you link up with Eric Broucek (LCD Soundsystem, Classixx) in regards to mixing your album?

We were big fans of the things Eric's done, so we were psyched to find out he was down to work on the album. We spent two weeks at his home studio in West Los Angeles pulling the songs apart and putting them back together. He's brilliant and it was great working with him.

What are the benefits to recording in a studio versus at home and visa-versa?

Recording and writing at home are great for experimentation. It's hard to get really deep in your own head when you feel like the clock is ticking in a studio. But bringing the songs in to a studio to get them mixed makes them sound much bigger than anything we could do at home.

A lot of your song titles are easy to visualize. Is that intentional? How do you pick the names?

We like succinct titles. We wanted to find names that expanded on the song rather than naming every song after the chorus.

What records are you listening to right now?

As I'm typing this I'm listening to Forbidden Fruit by Nina Simone

Ladies and Gentlemen We Are Floating In Space by Spiritualized

Powers of Ten by Stephan Bodzin

Thursday Afternoon by Brian Eno

New Apocalypse by Boys Age

Let's talk about Japan! You seem to tour there extensively! What do you most adore about the country and what have been the most surprising things you've encountered while there?

There are a lot of things I adore about Japan. Too many to name them all here. There is a social order and a respect for all forms of life that is unparalleled in my experience. There also seems to be a total lack of irony and the kind of ugly self-awareness/ cool-guy attitude that you find in the US arts world, and that's extremely refreshing. And the commercial/pop culture aesthetic is hyper stimulating and just very cool. Japan has been an interesting counterpoint to my own culture, alien enough to make me question a lot of things I wouldn't have, but not so different that I'm unable to make connections to things I know.

You're soon to embark on a fall US tour. What are the best and worst parts of touring? 

It's always great to play new songs. When everything is working on stage and you feel like there's a conversation going on with the audience... that's the best. But some nights during a long tour you would rather be in your own bed watching a movie.

Do you have a recent tour story to share?

We played at the Rock Star Hotel in Osaka, and it was the first time I understood what it would feel like to be in a super famous band, because they provided us with a penthouse suite to stay in after the show. It would be insane to live like that every day. Now back to the floors and the couches :)

What would you most like a member of the audience at your show to walk away having experienced? 

I think four or five years ago my answer for this question would have been much different and more "intellectual." I want everyone to have a good time, whatever that means to them.

Beyond the tour, what's next on the horizon for Painted Palms? 

We're taking things a couple months at a time, so right now touring is on our minds. We're always writing songs though!