Larissa Loyva and Elisha May Rembold are Fake Tears, a synth-and-vocals combo that crafts after-the-party electro-pop with ethereal harmonies that will have you weeping (or at least pretending to) well into the wee small hours. The duo’s debut album, Nightshifting, came out in August on the long-running Vancouver indie label Mint Records.

Best local release other than yours: [Loyva] “We are in love with Sur Une Plage’s album Legerdemain. The simplistic yet intricate synth parts and considered lyrics come together to create something new and unique. The duo is a huge inspiration to Fake Tears.”

The year’s best gig: [Rembold] “Sleater-Kinney at the Commodore Ballroom [on May 6]. I would say it was like a time warp, but I haven’t stopped listening to Sleater-Kinney since I first fell in love back in the mid 1990s! This show was a true reminder of how perfectly amazing they still are and have always been. I feel no guilt for shedding a few tears during the performance. The show was breathtaking and is my number one choice for this year’s best concert.”

Best album ever: [Loyva] “Pulp’s Different Class. I was 15 when this album came out in 1995. While it’s hard to pick a favourite Pulp album, I’ll just say it was this one because I heard it first and it changed my life! Pulp started recording and putting out records in the early ’80s, and have embraced noise, goth, pop, disco, and epic song forms over the years. The lyrics are saucy and provocative sexually and politically. Pulp continues to be my favourite band, and is increasingly respected among the musical elite.”

Francesco Aquilini’s paying—Where’s dinner? [Rembold] “Let’s go to Tojo’s [1133 West Broadway]! Does Aquilini have to be there? We’ve never been to Tojo’s, but we love sushi and we love indulging in fancy things! And we believe the hype.”

In the spirit of Carly Rae Jepsen’s “I Really Like You”, who do you really, really like? [Loyva] “We think Chandra Melting Tallow of Mourning Coup is as talented as she is beautiful. Jeremy Schmidt of Sinoia Caves and Black Mountain comes in a close second as a rad and very talented synth player in his own right! (And that hair!) Jay Arner, who recorded our album Nightshifting, can buy us drinks anytime.”

You won Lotto Max. Where’s your club opening up? [Rembold] “The Bayside Lounge [1755 Davie Street] has the most stunning (public) sunset views in English Bay. Maybe we could build a stage where the circular bar is. We’d keep all the amazing wait staff and their caesar menu.”