The Dirty Projectors have been creating music in the indie rock world for over 10 years, and are known for their distinct sound that is rooted in harmonically complex vocals and experimental song structures. Their sixth LP, Swing Low Magellan, released in July 2011, garnered critical acclaim and is perhaps their most accessible LP to date. The Cynic chatted with David Longstrethlead singer and creative force behind the bandto talk about the recording process, what the touring lifestyle is like and the surprising influence of Lil Wayne on their style.Vermont Cynic (VC): What is your creative process in terms of song writing? My understanding is that you do most of the songwriting and then bring the band together to record. How much do they shift the original visions?David Longstreth (DL): Not much. I write all the drum parts, all the vocal harmonies and all the guitar parts. But, you know, it becomes a different thing when you play it live; the feeling really changes. Definitely the musicians in the band are amazing to play with.VC: To what extent does the changing line up of Dirty Projectors play a part in the making of your music?DL: When I first started doing the band I put it together based on what the songs in front of me wanted and I would tour based on those songs. So maybe the songs called for a pedal steel player, or maybe a really hard-core drummer, so I find whats needed. But in the last several years there hasnt been a great deal of flux with the band. It took me a while to find the players that could go with me wherever I wanted to go; the current members can do pretty much whatever I imagine.VC: You spent a year in the boonies of New York recording Swing Lo Magellan. How did relocation impact the music?DL: It allowed me to be super productive, you know? In the city there are always people hanging out and a lot of awesome things going on. I love Brooklyn and I love being there but its hard to write there.And also it was kind of nice after all the touring we had done on the previous record because you are around people 24 hours a day.VC: Do you ever write music with a particular audience or listener in mind?DL: Well thats a tricky game to play. I generally try to do what feels right for me. The things that I am interested in at the time, you know? I dont think I am really clever enough to write to a specific demographic and fulfill their fantasies. You know, like a song about the best party ever or something like that. [Laughs]VC: What do you think of the touring lifestyle in general? Is it taxing on your mental and physical health?DL: Well, not really. Its pretty exhilarating to be in a different place every single day, and once you have been doing it for a while you pretty much have a fan group in every town. So wherever you go you are hanging out with your friends experiencing the most awesome things in that place. But the amazing thing about being on tour is that you are like fuck I am only in Minneapolis for one night!That aspect of it is pretty crazy because the dial is turned up to ten all the time, so that can get pretty tiring, but its basically pretty fucking exhilarating.VC: You have said that Lil Wayne has influenced your perspective on song writing. Do any other rappers have an influence on you?DL: I get into personalities you know what I mean? I love that classic period of Wayne mix tapes leading up to Tha Carter III. It expands the idea of what you can do with a song, what you can do with language and just the idea of Waynes persona. He can be so many different people, but at the end of the day he is always Wayne and its just mind-blowing. The way he used language is just incredible its sad to talk about Wayne right now. I hope he is doing better, I hope he takes a rest. Theres nobody like Wayne, is there?Go see David Longstreth and the Dirty Projectors April 18 at the Higher Ground Ballroom. Tickets are $20.