'New England' is the band's third album; what was different in the studio this time around as against when recording the first two records?
The main difference was Ezra Meredith (producer) joined the band. Ezra and Joel Meredith (Pedal Steel on all 3 records) would work on the record when I wasn’t there. I think they were listening to a lot of Spiritualized around the time of the New England sessions. I’d come over and they’d play tracks for me. Needless to say, I was blown away. Also, our live set picks up where this record left off. Songs have been stretched out and expanded on sonic-ally. We plan to go back in the studio for the follow up to New England this fall. I like to think it will continue where Well-Lit Highway left off.
How has your music evolved to reach the songs recorded on 'New England'. Has the style/ subject matters or song writing changed?
I don’t think the root subject matter will ever change. I seem to write the same song over and over.
Be it place, thing or person I write about that same lonesome feeling. That feeling could be the loneliness of heartache, getting old. It’s all plain loneliness when you boil it down. Even a little happy song can’t escape my sad song filter. I guess I’ve gotten better at how to express that with more style, but like Neil Y. said, “it’s all one song”.
I also remember Jason Molina describing this and when you listen to his songs you will hear the same lines and subject matter throughout. Train, Moon and so on…
The album has what I would call a 'widescreen gritty Americana' sound, how would you describe your music?
Not to dodge this one but I’ve always had a hard time labelling our sound. After one of our live sets earlier this year a guy came up to us and said, “shoegazer country”. I like the way that sounds, I guess. I’d compare it to Dylan, in the sense that the sounds from Blonde on Blonde compared to Time Out of Mind are so different, but the songs are the same. Imagine “Visions of Johanna” going all “Trouble Your Mind” after a few verses. The space is there to do it.
Does Portland influence your music when writing songs?
It does but not as much as people and their stories. Those stories really could take place anywhere. Portland, OR, Portland, ME or Isle of Portland. I try to write songs that anyone anywhere could relate to.
Back to college days, what were the albums exchanged with fellow students as you went through the education system that you still play today?
I made it halfway through college and then I moved to San Francisco to skateboard. This would have been ‘93-’97, I guess… I don’t think I listened to a single thing that would have been “new” then. List of records, and memories are foggy:
Goats Head Soup - Rolling Stones
Harvest and Harvest Moon – Neil Young
The Phoenix Concerts – John Stewart
Mermaid Ave - Billy Bragg and Wilco
Desire - Bob Dylan
How important is social media in the promotion of your music these days and do you personally use twitter, facebook etc?
I use facebook. I wish there was one way to speak to your fans or reach a potential audience all at once, but really it all comes back to playing live and radio/internet featuring artists.
What is your preference for listening to music, Vinyl, CD, Cassette, Download etc and have you heard of the new PONO portable player championed by Neil Young that allows listeners to hear studio quality sound?
I heard Neil Young was divorcing his wife because he caught her with an mp3 player (that’s a joke). I haven’t heard a PONO, but I do play higher quality audio files rather than mp3s, whenever possible. I prefer vinyl. My label offers a ‘High Quality’ download when you buy the vinyl of New England (deerlodgepdx.com).
What are your interests outside music and do you have much time to follow them?
Family and no, there’s never enough time.
Is there any chance of the band playing in the UK anytime soon?
I’ve always felt my music was better received across the pond, but nothing’s planned right now.
How active is the gig circuit around Portland and is it still the case that being on the road is the only way to make an income as a musician these days?"
Everyone in the band holds down a day job. Playing around Portland has never really paid… so many bands. On the upside, there are some of the best musicians in the world to play with. It’s a rewarding community as a music fan, too.
