The Legal Matters are a fantastic Power Pop trio led by three veteran figures of the Midwest power pop scene. Their new, fourth, record «Lost at Sea» is an outstanding mixture of highly infectious melodies, top notch harmony vocals and lyrics, that make you think. In the interview Chris Richards (Chris Richards & the Subtractions, Hippodrome, The Phenomenal Cats) and Keith Klingensmith (Hippodrome, The Phenomenal Cats) talk about the current state of the world, how they approach “juvenile” Power Pop songs as middle-aged men, the Hardy Boys, singing harmonies, lyrics, why they did stop playing live and which bands should be on a tribute album for The Legal Matters.
TRACKS: Is the title of your new album «Lost At Sea» also a kind of symbolic for the current state of the world? If yes, in which way? 
Chris Richards: Very much symbolic of the world’s current state—when we decided to name the record «Lost at Sea» last year, we weren’t even close to the madness we’re in today. This was also a lyric in «Stuck With Me» (continuing a trend we started on our third record, «Chapter Three»).
TRACKS: What is your favorite track on «Lost At Sea» and why?
Chris Richards: My favorite track is «Let Me Explain». I can listen to this one like a song I enjoy, as opposed to a track that we wrote. All of the richness and harmonies really lay out the Legal Matters in a three-and-a-half-minute song.
Keith Klingensmith: My personal favorite is “The Exit Signs” for the same reason, that track defines the Legal Matters for me, and that last chorus is still super exhilarating.
TRACKS: Which song was the most fun to record?
Chris Richards: Overall, this was a really fun record to make. We’re all going to have a slightly different take on this question – but for me (Chris) I’d say «The Exit Signs». This was the first track we recorded for «Lost At Sea», representing a full band collaboration that culminated in a pure symphony of sonic chaos during the instrumental bridge break.
Keith Klingensmith: I think “It Doesn’t Matter” as that one felt like the most collaborative of any of the tracks, we all had a lot to contribute and it felt like we truly built that one together.
TRACKS: How different did you approach your new album compared to your other ones?
Keith Klingensmith: Every other record we’ve done, we each came in with (mostly) fully realized demos. We’d work together to build them up, but it was almost always the main songwriters’ final call. We purposely decided for this one to write these songs together. We weren’t sure it was going to work as we’ve never tried that before, but we were all elated at how smooth and fulfilling it was, and I would expect this to be how we approach things from now on.
TRACKS: How do you approach writing “juvenile” Power Pop songs as middle-aged men?
Chris Richards: That’s easy – we’re essentially kids in the studio. But I’m not sure how youthful the record sounds to my ears to be honest, but if this captures some juvenile pop in a bottle for the listener, then great!
TRACKS: Your songs sound as if they were easily composed. What is the secret behind this?
Chris Richards: I wish I had a better answer for this one – except that is the true mystery in the art of writing songs. Sometimes, writers go through periods of blockage and try to find a hook (musically or lyrically) to continue the idea. We all have families and day jobs that inspire and ground us.
TRACKS: Singing harmonies are very important for you. How do achieve the sound you want?
Chris Richards: Yeah, that is definitely our thing. Though on this record we made the concise decision to make it a more musical piece as opposed to a harmony first record (which I do believe our first three records demonstrate). We have a natural vocal blend (almost like brothers) and a very similar approach to song harmonies. We all have the same big three in a sense (Beatles/Beach Boys/Badfinger) when arranging or start a direction when we get to harmonies. Always the part of the record we certainly enjoy the most
Keith Klingensmith: I agree with Chris about the brother’s blend. There are plenty of spots on every record where I couldn’t tell you if it was me or Andy singing a particular part, and I think that works to our favor for sure.
TRACKS: What elements must a good pop song have for you?
Chris Richards: For me, it’s a melody you cannot let go of.
Keith Klingensmith: Personally, I’m a harmony addict, they aren’t required for me to love a great pop song but man do they help.
TRACKS: How did you decide the running order of the album?
Chris Richards: We start recording the songs early, as we essentially record one track per session. Generally focusing on the lead off track and the closer. There are certainly many conversations for the other eight tracks and sometimes this can take a few weeks to hash out. This one felt honest and relatively straightforward among the tracks. Ensure tracks with similar feels don’t play back-to-back. The reality of listening to records today – while it may make our attempts futile for those who stream them – leaves us hoping there are more out there like us, who listen to the record as the band intended. Sometimes there is a story to tell and listening out of order may muddle that direction.
TRACKS: Which of your four albums is your favorite one and why?
Chris Richards: We all have different thoughts here for sure. I’ve always really loved the simple charm of the first record – I think it was Donny Brown (drummer) who mentioned that self-titled record was our campfire record. It was such a fun record to make in a new environment (studio and band for myself). But «Lost At Sea» has made a strong argument to catapult its way to number one very soon.
Keith Klingensmith: I was always a «Conrad» guy (the vocals only version as an extra treat.), but I do love «Lost at Sea» and I’m super comfortable saying this is my new fave.
TRACKS: The CD cover is a tribute to the Hardy Boys. What does this series, the books mean to you?
Chris Richards: I always loved the Hardy Boys book covers. The paintings really represented the story that as a child I used as a starting point to what I imagined the book would “look like” as I read. I collected many of these books in my youth.
TRACKS: What is different with The Legal Matters compared to your other bands / projects?
Chris Richards: Nowadays the Legal Matters is my sole musical output. When we first formed the band, I definitely used the LMs as a place to use songs that I didn’t feel the Subtractions could interpret (slower/ballad-y tracks)
Keith Klingensmith: This band might have started out as a side project for all three of us, but we all quickly realized this was something special.
TRACKS: What means success for you?
Chris Richards: That people choose to listen to our records in the first place. That blows my mind at times and is true success in every aspect of the word.
Keith Klingensmith: Getting to make records with these guys is all I want to do. If we keep doing that, I’m perfectly happy.
TRACKS: When and why did you stop playing live?
Chris Richards: The first reason was the challenge of getting together since we all live apart (a few hours away). As our records became more intricate and complicated (vocally), we made that call. It was time as we have all been doing some form of this for years now.
Keith Klingensmith: I personally never liked playing live, I would require constant band practice to not freak out and luckily (for me) none of us living close to each other makes that impossible. We just love making records and are all totally happy just doing that.
TRACKS: In a couple of songs, you look critical at the state of the world. What would you change in the world right now?
Chris Richards: Yeah – things are a bit haywire nowadays for sure. I guess I would wish for people treating each other kindly without the umbrella of political sides. Talk to each other with respect and empathy…the world could be a better place if we didn’t have a political script or agenda. Just be cool to each other.
TRACKS: Can you tell me more about the song “The Message” and is it a side cut to Trump?
Chris Richards: I don’t think this was a shot at Trump from us to be honest -I certainly took the view as we were writing of the pious religious type…not living up to the standards/gospel that they claim to live by.
TRACKS: I have the impression that your lyrics are open for interpretations. Is this a goal? If yes, why?
Chris Richards: Yes, very much so. A song like «Everybody Knows» can apply to many situations and we’ve read a few interpretations that all make sense. Songs really do have a personal touch and can really speak to someone when the message feels direct.
TRACKS: How did Donny Brown (Verve Pipe) get involved?
Chris Richards: Andy had approached Donny when he was in the Verve Pipe (which eventually Andy started playing bass in the band) – this led to a great relationship between the two of them and a no brainer when it came to who may take the percussion role for the Legal Matter recordings. He really is the best.
TRACKS: Which bands should be on a tribute album for The Legal Matters?
Chris Richards: Not sure I have ever thought about this…tough one. Would love to hear what the boys in the Lemon Twigs could do with our harmonies!
Discography:
-Legal Matters (2014)
-Conrad (2016)
-Chapter Three (2021)
-Lost At Sea (2026)
https://bigstirrecords.com/the-legal-matters
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