- Interviews
Hi Matt
How was your Christmas & New Year?
I had a great Christmas thanks; I hibernated for a week reading and watching movies on TV. I don't get to do that often so it was nice.
Your new solo album ‘With Wolves The Lamb Will Lie’ is out 29 Jan. What inspired the title?
The title comes from a line in the last song on the record, 'Let Light In'. It's from the bible but for me it gives a mission statement for the record which is that not everybody is who they seem all the time. Sometimes the goodies lie with the baddies and vice Versa. People are complex creatures and we have good and bad in us. I think this selection of songs explore that.
Was there anything different in the recording process this time around and can you tell us how the band came together for the record.
It was a very different recording process from my previous album, 'The Water or the Wave', in that I recorded in a different studio under the direction of producer Andy Bell who built the tracks up over my basic acoustic and vocal track. It took some two years to complete. Our approach was to pick players who did something a little different so, for example, instead of a straight up drummer we went for Toby Kearney, a versatile percussionist who played all sorts of different instruments to take up the usual drum space on the songs. Lucy Farrell and Neil McSweeney I had worked with on various other projects and it felt right to share this record with them as we work so well together. I was also lucky to capture string quartet, The Froe, to arrange some strings on the record too. I was generally very fortunate to have so many sensitive and thoughtful players to contribute, Andy Bell was key in bringing them all together in one beautiful sound.
How do you balance your musical activities, solo, The Lucky Strikes and other musical commitments?
I really enjoy the variety my music brings and I love all the different aspects of what I do. My solo records allow me to work with amazing musicians and trial new sounds and ideas. The Lucky strikes is like a family and when I want to play loud and jump around we can do that with the band. I then get the chance to contribute pedal steel, banjo and other instruments I don't get chance to play in my other work with some great artists and friends. Last year I was really fortunate to play for Emily Portman, Blue Rose Code and Simone Felice among others. I never struggle to juggle things, it just works out.
You are always described as living on the Thames Delta. Are roots important to you and your music?
Roots are very important for me. At the moment I am trying to catalogue my local area through my music. I see so many incredible stories and poetic things when I observe local life and people that I want to mine that as much as I can before I cease to see it any more.
What creative space do you need to be in to write a song? Is it words to melodies or the other way around?
Always a tricky question to answer. It just happens. Sometimes you have some nice chords and the lyrics flow with them, sometimes you write lyrics for days and none of the chords fit so you have to wait for it to happen. My creative space at present is the corner of my sofa where I can sit with my guitar and look out onto a park and watch people coming and going. Isolation for me is generally good for writing songs, mornings or late evenings too.
There are plenty of different characters in the songs on the record, real or made up?
They're all real. Some are more obscured by the lyric but others are much more literal. Sean or Patrick is exactly how it happened as is Lalita. They exist out there somewhere.
How difficult is it to make a living on the UK music scene these days and is main source of income from playing live?
It is difficult to make a living and live music certainly brings you to new audiences. The decline of record labels and their ability to pay for press and PR and to break new artists in all genres means that the artists have gone back to the pre-music boom of the mid twentieth century. We've reverted back to the travelling balladeer playing for our supper in a different town each night. If I want to sell my music, I have to go out and play it.
On that point, are there any solo shows to promote the new album?
There are shows a plenty and people can keep abreast of my whereabouts on twitter and Facebook. However, I have an album launch on 18th February at the Servant Jazz Quarters in London and then shows in Devon and Newport before shows in the North and hopefully Scotland in March.
Before we asked you "If money was no object, what new guitar would you most like to own and why”? Have you invested in any new guitars recently?
Oh man, I have a serious addiction to guitars and instruments and purchase things all the time. If money was no object I would probably be buying a new Martin acoustic, triple zero model or maybe a Gretsch DuoJet. In reality I bought a new pedal steel, Magnum, last year as my trusty ShoBud was getting old and I replaced the pickups in my telecaster.
Released on 29th January, With Wolves the Lamb Will Lie can be pre-ordered HERE
- Interviews
Hi Marc, how did the band come together?
It was an organic process really. I met our guitarist Antreo when I was looking to record the first LCS record. He is a recording engineer here in Portland and we had some mutual musician friends that hooked us up. We spent a lot of time together during the sessions and he really got a feel for my songwriting. He ended up playing some slide guitar on a song. Shortly after we started playing as a 3 piece with minimalist drums, going for a Low, Elliott Smith, Carissa’a Wierd influenced thing. I had recently got into bands like Alcest, Caspian, Russian Circles, Jakob and If These Trees Could Talk and really connected with their sound. I soon realized that this had the potential to be the kind of dynamic, heavy melodic sound that I had always heard in my head. We went through a couple of guys in our rhythm section before landing Frank after he responded to our ad for a drummer. It was our only audition and I knew immediately he was the guy, pardon the cliché. My writing has some unusual phrasing and rhythmic time changes that his dynamic and inventive style accentuated them perfectly. Nicholas is the most recent addition and has added more creativity to the bass parts, breathing new life into the songs from a different angle.
What was the ‘Eureka’ moment when you thought musically, this is what we need to do?
I think probably playing “Stented Growth” at a series of rehearsals in the spring of 2014. Some of those jams were 15-20 mins long and were some of the most epic musical moments I have ever experienced. I was going through some heavy things in my personal life that I think everyone was tapping into it. I felt like something special was happening between us and we needed to capture it on record as soon as we could.
What is your approach to creating and recording is it all done live or are there various layers of preparation, before studio time.
We definitely went in prepared knowing that we had a limited amount of time and budget. But it is important to be flexible in the studio because there are so many variables that can change the sessions. “Stented Growth” was a great example of that. At around 11 mins long, it was a massive undertaking for everyone involved. I had to rework all my parts for the last 3-4 minutes of that song, due to some rhythmic timing changes. I think there are benefits to creating and recording in the moment and some artists kick out their best work that way, but for me I prefer to wallow over the songs and let them morph and develop intuitively, over time. If money wasn’t an object, I could see myself spending a year recording an album, experimenting with every sound, technique, piece of gear I could get my hands on. Someday I hope.
How did you come to record at the Modest Mouse Glacial Pace headquarters?
I had heard of Brandon Eggleston through some musician friends and looked him up. He had a really impressive resume that included Swans, Modest Mouse, The Mountain Goats, Pelican and a host of other great artists. So I just reached out in the most professional sounding way possible and sent him some demos and practice sessions. To my surprise he responded right away and was interested in working with us. Getting a good drum sound was really important for us and so I asked him if he had any recommendations of studios in town and he said that he gets a great drum sound at Modest Mouse’s studio, which was invite only. I didn’t know at the time that he was one of the primary engineers on their last record, Strangers To Ourselves and worked out of there on a regular basis. Being a huge old school Modest Mouse fan I was super stoked to have this opportunity. Very grateful to Brandon and Isaac Brock for letting us record there. Everything from the gear, to the main room, to the console sounded amazing. Would love to do our next record there again.
Tell us about your live show, how closely do you get to the album sound and do you change your set often?
I would say it’s pretty close, but we want the live performance to overwhelm the audience with a total sensory experience. The songs are very emotionally and psychologically charged. We pride ourselves on our dynamics that lift you up then try to drown you in nicest way possible (laughs). We also have visuals that accompany our sets that have imagery that reinforces some of the conceptual framework around the band, which borrows from Jungian thought regarding the shadow, synchronicity, dreams, individuation and death. We refer to it as a reinterpretation of the loud-quiet-loud dynamic. We try to weave the guitars in an angular way then reach an epic, post rock climax. I think people have a hard time defining where we fit stylistically or genre wise, but I think that’s a good thing. We have an organic, vintage sound that I think Brandon did a great job of capturing on the record. We still maintain that live, but more kinetic, engaging and enchanting.
What do you hope people hear on the new EP and where do you hope the record takes you as a band?
I hope people genuinely connect with our music. I think the things that motivated these songs are universal themes and that has the power to create meaning for the listeners. I think artistic music needs to be important again on a global scale. There is a generation of kids out there that are being subjected to terrible fucking music that is only in existence to sell you some hollow identity, product or transient mood in order to make us complacent and apathetic towards the power of art and music. We hope that Emerge From The Illusion gives people a glimpse of what is being created out there by great bands and artists that are not being heard or not being given the chance to be heard because of the nature of the business. We feel like our music reflects a lot of the pervasive societal and cultural dysfunctions, namely narcissism and the lack of empathy. It is a reaction to those deficiencies and a willingness to embrace the journey even if it’s covered by darkness. Even if you don’t buy any of that bullshit, at least the record can melt your face off.
What was the record that blew you away in your school/college days that you still play today?
I still listen to a ton of stuff I did when I was that age. My favorite record is probably Siamese Dream by The Smashing Pumpkins. That was a life changer for me. I still think it sounds unbelievable. The production, Chamberlin’s drumming, the emotion, the Big Muff! Just an authentic musical experience front to back. People like to rag on the Pumpkins these days but that’s just because they weren’t there.
What was your top album of 2015 and why?
Wow, tough question. I would say have to say Marriages, Salome. I love that record. Emma Ruth Rundle’s vocals and guitar work has an immediacy to it. She’s got that sultry delivery and then destroys you with some badass guitar slide riff. That record flows really well too. I’ve seen them live a couple of times and I’m amazed they are a three piece. Huge sound. Big Sargent House fan. Honorable mention: Caspian, Dust and Disquiet.
If you could tour with any other band, who would it be and why?
Tougher question. Sigur Ros. I’ve seen them 3 times and every time it was just devastating. They are the most other worldly band I’ve ever heard. To be able to see that every night would be a gift.
You are an active band on the ‘bandcamp’ site, what do you like about this method of distributing your music?
I dig Bandcamp. Very flexible and immediate. Direct to fan is a benefit in many ways. Being able to buy music in any format at any price gives the artist more control on how they want to distribute their work.
- Interviews
Hi guys, how’s life in the music business for you today?
Its changed beyond all recognition, but my only concern is to keep my art alive & leave that stuff up to our manager.
The new single ‘Strange World’ is a fine and gritty record. Is the spark for creativity and live performances burning bright within the band again?
It certainly is. We are writing our best songs ever at the moment, long may it continue.
Who designed the cover for the single?
A Brazilian girl called Moara Marques, she's amazing she sums up our whole style in that one piece of art.
What was your approach to creating and recording the new LP was it all done live or were there various layers of preparation, before studio time?
I start off on my 8 track recorder getting basic structures melodies & words down, then I transfer everything to Phil & Franny's computers to tidy it up. We all practice the songs till we come up with the end product.
Does the creation of a song come about easily or do you need to be in a particular space or frame of mind?
I constantly write and even if the song doesn't work I will recycle it until it does.
How is the tour going, it’s certainly an impressive schedule?
The tour's been amazing, the fans are loving both the new and old songs.
Do you think you are still carry the the same crowd from days gone past or do you get the feeling of people new to the band at the current shows?
We have noticed the old crowd along with a lot of young kids who have either rediscovered us or their parents have got them in to us.
Is there a record that you brought in your School / College days that you still play today and what is your favorite album of 2015?
Yeah I still play Spizz Energy 'Where's Captain Kirk?' My fave album of the year is The Sums' 'Start at the Finish'.
Plans for Christmas or just a good rest?
I'm gigging up until the 12th. I'll enjoy watching my daughter open her prezzies and probably watch Jason & the Argonauts a hundred times.
Finally, any advice for someone starting out in the music industry today?
Never ever give in.
Tour Dates
Nov:
Sat 21 CREWE - THE BOX
Sun 22 MANCHESTER - FAC 251
Tue 24 SWANSEA - SIN CITY
Wed 25 CARDIFF - THE GLOBE
Thu 02 READING - BOWERY
Fri 27 BRISTOL - FLEECE
Sat 28 COVENTRY - KASBAH
Mon 30 SUNDERLAND - THE POINT
Dec:
Tue 01 EDINBURGH - ELECTRIC CIRCUS
Wed 02 ABERDEEN - TUNNELS
Thu 03 GLASGOW - CLASSIC GRAND
Fri 04 LIVERPOOL - EPSTEIN
Sat 05 LONDON - BRIXTON JAMM
Thu 10 TUNBRIDGE WELLS - FORUM
Fri 11 WOLVERHAMPTON - SLADE ROOMS
Sat 12 LINCOLN - PLATFORM
Fri 18 GLOUCESTER - GUILDHALL
Sat 19 NORWICH - UEA
- Interviews
How's life as a musician treating you today?
I can’t complain! I’ve been very busy these days, tour solo and touring with John Fogerty. The new “Mojo Deluxe” record has been getting lots of press and airplay. I miss my wife and my cats an awful lot, but in 6 weeks, I’ll be done with the road for the rest of the year!
When did you start playing the keyboards and what was the spark that led you to play?
At 9 I started taking classical piano lessons. Nothing much happened for the first year, but all at once, something happened, and I became a little virtuoso, almost all at once. After that, they couldn’t tear me away. Around 15 I was corrupted by rock & roll, followed quickly by an introduction to the New Orleans piano professors, and the rest, as they say, is history.
How did you discover your singing voice, has it improved with age?
I started singing because I wanted to write songs and communicate with people that way. I never had the greatest voice, but I always felt it was the best one to tell my story with. And it has most assuredly improved with age!
What is your favorite story from life on the road?
There are way too many to tell! But there was that one time when I took a 6-seat mail plane to this town in the Australian outback and couldn’t get out for 3 days after the gig because the whole town got sick...
What was the first record you brought that you were most proud of and where did you buy it?
The first record I ever bought with my own money was a recording of Beethoven’s 6th Symphony. I bought it at the supermarket - they were selling the “Great Composers Series” 0 one a month, for a buck or something like that. I was probably 10 or 11 years old and I still have that record!
You have played with many famous musicians what one piece of advice would you give to a new band or artist starting out today?
Do it for love, and do it to elevate the music, not yourself. Otherwise, no about if success, large or small, will make you happy.
Where is your most favorite place in the world?
Home.
How have your keyboards changed over the years and what was the best one?
For piano, I like real pianos, and that’s what I play whenever I can get one. I’ve done shows and recordings on battered old uprights and 9-foot concert grands and they all have a personality and a story to tell. Digital pianos are convenient, of course, but they don’t excite me much, although there are some pretty good ones out these days. I recently did a series of demo videos for the Kurzweil Forte, that’s a nice one. beyond that, all of my favorite keyboards are straight up vintage 70s. Wurlitzer, Hammond B-3, Clavinet, Rhodes. I missed that era as a player, so it’s been great to be able to finally have access to the old stuff these last few years and get to play them live on a regular basis. When touring with Fogerty I play a 60’s era Hammond B-3 through a Leslie, and a red-top Wurlitzer electric piano. And I have another Wurli that I tour with solo (although sadly I won’t be able to get it on the plane to the UK!).
Music for free? Streaming? downloads? Is it just the road where a musician can earn a crust these days?
For those of us who haven’t had hit records, the road has always been the place to make most of a living. So in a way, it hasn’t changed all that much for me. Although, yes, streaming has taken a big bite out of my sales income. I also do a lot of recording session and arranging (horns, strings, musical theater scores) back in LA, so that’s a good source of income as well. And I get royalty checks for TV music I’ve done. Multiple income streams, and all that. It’s all moving and changing so fast I can’t say how it’s going to end up.
You played Glastonbury in 2013. How was that experience?
It was really wonderful - I hope to be back one day! Although after the show I ventured out of the backstage area to wander the grounds and nearly got trampled by about 50,000 people on their way from one stage to another. That may have been a mistake :-)
Bob Malone
Friday 16h October - The Blue Lamp, Aberdeen
Saturday 17th October - The Retreat, Braintree, Essex
Monday 18th October - Hope Tavern, West Lindsey
Tuesday 20th October - Blues Cafe, Harrogate
Wednesday 21st October - Railway Venue, Bromley Cross
Thursday 22nd October - The Jam House, Birmingham
Friday 23rd October - Keighley Blues Club, West Yorkshire
Saturday 24th October - Peterlee Catholic Club, Peterlee
Monday 26th October - The Bullingdon (Haven Club), Oxford
Tuesday 27th October - The 100 Club, Oxford Street, London
Wednesday 28th October - The Jazz Cafe, Cardiff
- Interviews
We last had a chat in October 2013, what have you been up to musically since?
We put out our new album Loved Wild Lost in the United States and have been busy touring it all over the country.
What's the feeling now the new album is done and dusted, are you pleased with the end product?
We are all very pleased with the way the album turned out. It was great working with producer Brian Deck. He brought a leanness to the music I'm not sure we could have achieved without him.
'Loved Wild Lost', the new album is out on 9th October, where did that title come from?
It was pulled from the song on the album Love Your Loved Ones.
Where there any changes in the studio when recording the new album this time around?
Aside from having an outside producer we recorded in a studio we've never used before. It was wonderful to record in such a lovely environment so surrounded by nature. We were nestled in the mountains above Stinson Beach, California. It was a perfect setting to be creative.
Is it practical to make a living as a musician these days or does your music have to be subsidised by other careers?
It all depends on what you are willing to sacrifice. Anything is possible if you want it badly enough.
Now that Apple Music has been with us of a couple of months, how do you think it and other steaming options will influence life as an artist?
I don't think streaming necessary influences life as an artist but there are certainly pros and cons to these services for an artist. Call me old fashioned but I'm still an album centric person when I listen to records and I enjoy making full-length albums. I think a lot of our fans are still of that mindset as well. Streaming seems to cater to a lot of people who like to skip around and listen to a lot of individual songs and not necessary focus on albums. In general we really just want our music to be heard and if people want to stream it then I guess that is fine with me. When you go into the studio and create an album you put so much emotion, thought, money and time into it that I can't help to still feel it cheapens it a little bit. But the cat's out of the bag. And I hear even more so in Europe.
You are coming back to the UK for dates in January, what are you most looking forward to?
I love being abroad. It's always exciting to be in other countries and cultures. I love hearing different accents, eating local food and just walking the streets. I'm looking forward to experiencing the UK in the winter. It will be my first visit during that time of year.
Are there any other bands in your neighbourhood that we should be paying attention to?
I think you're probably already familiar with Natalie Prass. She put out a beautiful album this year. I've really enjoyed listening to it.
Split 7" singles are quite trendy these days, who would you like to be on the flip side of your 7" single and why?
We recently did a tour with Andrew Combs and his fabulous band. It'd be really fun to do a split 7" with those guys. We all had so much fun together!
Are there any stories from the songs on the new record that you would like to share?
Sometimes during the writing process I'll write a song about someone else; a friend, a stranger, a phantom. My friend sent me a picture of a Rodeo Queen from a rodeo she was at in California. The image really struck me. I started to write about her and ended up with my song Queen of the Rodeo. After finishing the song, recording and performing it live I began to realise that the song wasn't about the girl in the photo. It was about me. Funny how those things work out sometimes.
Keep an eye out for Nicki Bluhm & The Gramblers tour dates. The band are due in the UK in January 2016.
- Interviews
The band was formed in 2012, how did you all meet & start playing together?
I sat in Berlin, smoking a lot for a few months. Then my wife left for Israel and I didn't join her because I was terrified of flying at the time. That's when most of the first LP's songs came out, and that's when I sent them to Dan and Yuval in Israel. We started practicing when I came back from Germany in 2012.
What were your ambitions for the band in 2012 and where do you think you have reached with the evolution of the band in 2015?
I think it took about two years for us to understand who our friends are in the USA, and we have been working with them since. Burger Records, Austin Psych Fest, Windish Booking, have all but super important to our first steps. Israel isn't a very well-known country in the sense of exporting international indie acts, so it has been steady and slow. We record new music all the time and create video content we love. We tour in the US and now have plans in the UK. We are cool with working hard and with things being slow. As long as the partnerships are natural and real, it's cool and we enjoy it.
New Album, 'Sinking the Stone' is due for release in the UK on 25th September, what are the main differences to 2012's 'The World is Well'?
Sound wise we learned a bit better how to record ourselves. We do all the technical recording of the albums at home. Other than that, this new album is more lyrically direct. The first one had a more generic, sci-fi way about it. I think its part of process I'm going through of being more and more able to simply capture what I am feeling, rather than going a long way to explain it.
You sing your lyrics in Hebrew. Lots of bands choose to sing in English to make their music more widely accessible, why did you feel it was important to stick to your native tongue?
Self preservation, in the sense of me, remaining close to myself.
What music were you influenced by when progressing through college and do you still play the same albums today?
I loved music where I felt a regional feeling about it. Feelies felt mid-western in a wonderful way. Velvet Underground were very NYC. I like how northern music from the UK sounds northern, foggy, cold. When I approach making music it's always while thinking of history, geography, images.
Please explain the band's name?
Kind of a double meaning: It means both a committee in charge of dealing with irregular cases in any institution, and at the same time it means "group of misfits".
Is music your 24/7 career or do you all have other jobs as well?
Oh no. I'm (Juval) a publicist. Dan works in industry. Yuval is a video editor.
The new record is part on a trilogy, what comes next and when?
Berlin. Probably a record about Berlin, leaving Israel, going to Berlin.
You have a UK tour booked for next month. Is this the first time you have been over to the UK on tour and what are you most looking forward to?
Marks and Spencer's sandwiches on the highway. Indian food. Driving on the left. hard to choose from so many fun things.
Are there any other bands from Israel that we should be paying attention to?
Well, sure. Listen to Ryskinder, and REO.
If you could tour with any other current band, who would it be and why?
We love YUCK and are friends with them since we opened for them in Tel Aviv, so with them!
The band will be playing their first ever UK shows on the dates in October;
21 Birmingham Sunflower Lounge
22 Manchester The Old Pint Pot
23 Leeds Venue tbc
24 London Shacklewell Arms
25 Brighton Sticky Mike’s Frog Bar
- Interviews
How long have you been playing and performing and what was the spark that sent you down this musical career path?
I took piano lessons and was attempting to write original songs when I was very young, but I quit when I was 10-11 and became an athlete. I dabbled in singing in rock bands and attending open-mic nights when I was a teenager. My father died when I was 19 and for a brief period I wasn’t afraid to try a number of new things, so I moved from Eastern Canada to Austin Texas in 1999.
It was in Austin where I was inspired to sing and teach myself how to play acoustic guitar. A series of strange encounters between Austin and Germany really sparked my desire to try writing my own songs and singing in rock bands. I got the itch to be on stage and perform pretty quickly in my late teens and early twenties and found myself singing with The Young Heart Attack at SXSW in 2001, soon after I was booted out of that band, but found myself opening for Wilco with my own songs days before releasing my first solo album ‘Pretty Things’ in 2002.
From that point on I wasn’t really sure I could do music professionally, but in 2007 I was back in Nova Scotia and there was a lot of support for emerging musicians, so I was able to dig in and make some shit happen with my second album Two Hearts. Since 2008 I’ve been completely obsessed and committed to trying to make a sustainable career for myself in the music business.
You music has just touched our radar. Tell us how you would describe your music for people that have not heard you before?
I would describe my music as Pop/Rock with Americana influences. My musical influences are pretty broad but what turned me on growing up was what was popular on MTV or the radio. I don’t listen to any current pop or rock, but I remember being mesmerized by Eurythmics, Tom Petty, Tina Turner and during my time in Texas I was introduced to Americana artists like Emmylou Harris, Steve Earle, Townes Van Zandt. Basically I’m a fan of music that makes me feel something, anything, whether it be the lyrics, the music, or both.
I’ll Be Alright’ released this year is your fifth album. How has the recording processed changed from Album No.1 to No. 5?
I’ve learned that I don’t really enjoy the actual recording process, when it comes to tracking. I’m happy to be involved in the later stage of the mixing process, and everything leading up to tracking. I used to enjoy tracking vocals, but now I find that painfully tedious. However I enjoy singing live more than ever now and want to be a better entertainer.
I love writing songs by myself, and collaborating with other musicians and my producer before actually tracking the songs. I was pretty timid starting out in the studio. With experience and a lot of mistakes, I’ve learned to trust my gut and not be afraid to ask for things. I think I went into the studio more prepared and I took time with each song to really try and create individually strong pieces, and worked closely with Dale Murray and other great musicians to have an overall piece that sounds and feels like an album, that makes the listener feel something.
Are there any particular stories that you would like to share from any on the songs on the new album with us?
Some of what I feel comfortable talking about was expressed in two interview sessions, so people can see some behind the scenes footage of me rehearsing with the musicians who played on the album, recording the album live off the floor, and I reveal some bits about the inspiration behind the songs:
Ironically the recording of the music ran pretty smooth for this album. That was the easy part. There were a number of other struggles, which were not captured on video that really challenged me personally and professionally this past year. I learned that you have to be very careful with who you trust with your business and your money. And for some reason I stopped trusting my gut for awhile… that was unfortunate.
You seem to be on the road a fair bit. Do you enjoy touring and what are main differences being on a UK tour & Canadian tour?
If I’m in one place for too long I start to get really anxious. I’m always working on getting back on the road. It gives me a sense of purpose and I like to keep moving. It’s also easy to feel like a failure when you are not out playing music, I don’t know why, but for me if my calendar is empty I start to feel like I’m not doing my job, or I’m a total failure.
The main difference between touring in UK vs Canada is that in Canada each province is about the size of a European country. You can drive between 8-10 hours to get from a gig in one province to another city if you are doing a National tour. In Canada we don’t have the population you do in the UK, but we have thousands of musicians wanting to perform. It gets a bit tricky planning tours in Canada.
But there are more similarities between touring in UK & Canada. I noticed in UK you can get healthy food at some of your BP gas stations that partner with Marks & Spencer. That comes in pretty handy when you are trying to stay healthy on the road and don’t know the area. But you can find great food and friendly people all over, and you can also find terrible food and assholes without trying too hard. It’s always an adventure!
Spilt 7” singles are popular these days, who would you like to share a single with?
I would love to share a single with Daft Punk. I would probably be a stretch for them, but I’ve always dreamed of singing on dance and funk music.
Now that Apple Music has been with us of a few weeks, how do you think it and other steaming options will influence life as an artist?
It’s too soon for me to say whether Apple Music and other streaming options will make my life more difficult or increase my audience and therefore my ability to sustain myself as an independent artist. I would prefer for people to purchase my full album via iTunes, in record stores, or online direct from my website, because I see a greater benefit and it is easier for me to monitor. I don’t feel that I am paid a fair price for my music being streamed, but I hope that that will change with future policy changes and advocating for bigger percentages of membership fees paid for streaming services going to the owners of the masters of sound recordings.
Tell us about your current band and who are you bringing to the UK next year for your tour?
I’ve been friends and family with most of the people I recorded with on this album. Brian Murray plays drums and is my brother-in-law. He has a great feel for playing Rock, Alt-Country, Americana and other styles… and although he is extremely forgetful, it’s really fun having him in the studio and on the road. We have been working together since 2007.
Jason Vautour has been playing bass on my albums and in my band since about that same time. He is 100% pro, super gentlemen, bringing his broad influences from metal, funk, rock and pop with him to sessions. He is also a lot of fun to watch perform live, and a great overall human being to have around.
Dale Murray is my guitar player, backing vocals, and also has been producing my music since 2007. I’m pretty biased since we are inseparable, but he’s the most tasteful guitar player, and our voices over the years have started to blend really well. Our guitar tones compliment each other, I’m just starting to get my tone now with a vintage Princeton and Duesenberg electric guitar, but Dale is definitely my partner in crime and has been with me through thick and thin.
We had the band touring with us on our last UK tour, but come March 2016 it will be Dale and myself touring as an electric/acoustic Duo. Times are a bit tight and costs double for me to bring the band from Canada to tour in UK. I need to work smarter and sell more albums before I can bring the band back, and that’s a completely different show. I have fans that prefer the stripped down intimate shows and other fans prefer the band performances, but then some people like both. It breaks my heart not to bring my band to every show, but that is something that I can always work towards doing in the future when I can afford it.
What was the first record you ever brought and your last?
First album I ever bought – Don McLean’s Greatest Hits… I bought it because it had a song called ‘Vincent’ on it, and I didn’t know who Don McLean was, but I fell in love with that song on the radio when I was 7 or 8.
Last record – Daft Punk- Random Access Memories – Because it makes me dance!
How do you approach songwriting? .. When the spark strikes? On tour?
Right now I’m not writing anything, I’m just too overwhelmed with ‘the business’ of keeping my touring and everything else going. Eventually I’ll get back into writing in the mornings, but it’s not always about songwriting, usually just journaling. My journal entries are extremely boring.
If I can simplify my day-to-day then I will probably get back to writing when a spark strikes. But sparks don’t normally strike me unless something out-of-the-norm is happening in my own life or around me. I typically will write in my home office, or while I’m in transit on a plane, train or by myself (which isn’t often anymore).
Words and music often come simultaneously, although not always the case. There is no strict rhythm to my songwriting. Sometimes there are stretches where I just don’t write, and not much is going on in my life. During the times I’m not writing music, I’ll try to take guitar or piano lessons to keep my fingers moving and my brain active.
- Interviews
I'm backstage at The Leadmill in Sheffield with White Reaper, who are Tony Esposito (Guitars, Lead vocals), Ryan Hater (Keys), and twin brothers Nick (Drums) and Sam Wilkerson(Bass) to have a chat before tonight's show.
This year you've released your debut album (which people should be buying) 'White Reaper Does It Again', which I bought after hearing a track on NPR's All Songs Considered podcast.
We really appreciate that , and hope you enjoy the show. It blows my mind that people this far away have even heard our music.
I hear on the album some Ramones, early Strokes, New York Dolls, Nirvana, was that the stuff you were listening to growing up in Louisville?
Yeah, basically all those bands you just mentioned. plus some punk shit. Everybody loves Nirvana, Nevermind, is one of the first CD's your friends show you. We didn't consciously try to make album that sounded like that but it's going to happen.
Looking at your logo and the character on your band merchandise (who's the spitting image of Eddie), were you Iron Maiden fans as well?
It's a direct rip off. We liked the Iron Maiden merch, their look and Eddie so much we decided to rip it off. It's a tribute. Nobody does that stuff anymore, everyone wants to get all artsy it's a straight metal ass T-shirt. If I went to a show and saw one of those T-shirts I'd want to buy it.
Does your guy have a name?
We call him Deadie, (laughter in the room) we've never properly called him that but that's our joke.
Tell us something about the music scene in Louisville?
It's cyclical over a decade, you'll look up and there'll be 20 new bands appeared, which is kind of where we are now, but it can also die. We were born out of a lull there wasn't too much going on, there was a really big all ages scene we were part of, basically a punk scene. There was a venue called Skull Alley which was the one all ages venue in town got shut down and we were what are gonna do now? But it's back now and it's pretty good, but a lot of people move away they'll do high school band then leave, most kids want to go to a big city.
East Coast, West Coast?
More like Chicago, it's closer and cheaper than New York. I'm not knocking that, it's kind of how the scene works, everyone wants to go to a big city.
I know My Morning Jacket are from Louisville. Are they still based there?
Yeah, they're the big band from the area. The guy that recorded us Kevin Ratterman, he has parties every now and then and everyone from My Morning Jacket are at his parties, they're just guys who hang out. They played Forecastle (a Louisville festival) with us.
Tony, you're the songwriter in the band. The last track on is album is B.T.K I've read through the lyrics and can't work out a reference to B.T.K.
Have you seen the movie Scream, at the end of the movie it's revealed that Billy's the Killer, so BTK.
And the track Wolf Trap Hotel ?
It's a real hotel. We stayed there in Virginia and it's definitely haunted. It looks like it hasn't been touched since the seventies, its old school. We turned on the TV and it was just fuzz, definitely more than one murder has happened there.
I noticed the tour has a couple of days off. Are you planning to do anything?
We're still trying to work it but. if we have to play a basement show for free we'll do that, we just want to play. We hate having days off, we like to play all the time. Days off are just so slow. I think we're all going to get tattoos this weekend. We love getting tattoos on tour. Ryan - I think I'm going to get 'Free bird' ( the Lynyrd Skynyrd track) across my arm, they're my favourite band .
You played SXSW in Austin this year. Tell us about that.
We only played three shows, which is ridiculously low for a band playing. But it ended up being really fun for us we had a free place to stay; they gave us the keys to their house. There were so many bands we wanted to see that were playing. Not to mention you get to meet a lot of people. We played our label showcase and met a lot of people we've never met before; we met Alvvays (who White Reaper are supporting on this tour).
Are there any US based bands that people should check out?
Broncho who are from Oklahoma they're super poppy, rock and roll kind of like us. Twin Peaks who are probably the most accurate modern interpretation of The Rolling Stones, like if the Stones broke into hardcore punk every once in a while. Jawws, who are from Nashville who are one of the best bands I've seen. They're so young, so cool. We really listen to mainly old stuff. It's really hard for me to like a band until I see them live, I very rarely fall in love with a band until I've seen their live show.
For a young band like yourselves, is the prevalence of downloading and streaming a benefit?
On the one hand I love it that,... I think it's beautiful that so many young and un-noticed people can come up through the internet, but on the other hand I want to hear bands that record and tour a lot, they're really serious about being in a band. So many people come up to us, and tell us on the way to the show we listened to you on Spotify and really got excited about it and that's great , but I'd much rather you just listen to our record, the whole thing.
I think it's a great compliment, somebody told us you could illegally download our album , like wow are you serious . That means far more to me that somebody's made it available for others to listen to. To answer your question the Internet makes it easier to listen to our music, but you should definitely see us live.
Finally. You've got the rest of the UK tour with Alvvays, then what's next for you guys?
We do Canada with Alvvays, then we do the US. We going to try and record a few splits (Split 7” single) with bands we like and try to put out some new music really soon. Ideally we'll be recording some new songs back in Louisville in December or January in the same studio cos he did such a great job on the album.
The UK tour with Alvvays continues until the 11th September. Their debut album White Reaper 'Does it Again' is out now.
Alisdair Whyte
- Interviews
Great to see you back, where have you been?
Well, after we finished our tour opening for Jeff Mangum's comeback--before he put the band back together as Neutral Milk--we took a few few years off, just doing a few festivals here and there. There are kids in the mix these days, and being in New York was important to us.
What's the feeling now the new album is done and dusted, are you both pleased with the end product?
I'm super pleased, and I think Aaron is, too. We got to reconnect with people we've worked with over the years and do a different kind of recording--and of course spend time together, which is a big part of our thing. We're close friends.
What was the main difference this time around with the recording process?
This time around Aaron was super busy, so I wrote the tunes and recorded the barebones stuff myself (guitar and vocals). Then I had all sorts of musicians we know and loves improvise and elaborate on it.
We met Scott Minor on tour with Emily Haines years ago when he was her drummer and I loved his drumming. (He was a member of Sparklehorse, too, which is thematically close to what we do.) Anyway, he's also a great engineer, so he did all his percussion work remotely from Knoxville Tenessy. After he finished we had the structure set up, and everybody else layered on top. Then Aaron and I did all the guitar overdubs and he mixed/ produced it with my help.
How do you go about creating new music, do you have to been in a certain space, mentally and physically or is it, just when the spark strikes?
I think we both write all the time in fits and spurts. Aaron really locks into one song and labours on it until it are perfect. I quickly write a ton of tunes, then throw a bunch away, then go back and fix what I don't like.
What is your opinion as an artist about the shift by the likes of Apple and Amazon into the streaming market, will that be the end of downloads?
Speaking for myself, I think it's just another form of decentralised labour, where amorphous online entities broker decentralised work from all over the place and drive the price down in an attempt to raise profit and defray costs--royalties in this case. It's just like Uber, or Etsy or Amazon or whatever. The upshot is that more folks can participate creatively and make a small amount of cash; the downside is that the number of people who rely on a single profession is shrinking fast.
Split 7" singles are quite trendy at the moment, who you like to share your split 7" record with?
Again, speaking for myself--but I'm guessing Aaron would be stoked, too--I'd love to do one with Bardo Pond.
Are there are particular stories from any song on the new record that you would like to share?
The title track is Ghostlight. When we were doing theatres with Jeff Mangum, I was introduced to the phenomenon of Ghostlights. In some of these old places, the stagehands and actors put out a single standing light in the centre of the stage before they go home. The practical reason is that nobody walks into a darkened theatre and falls into the orchestra pit. But, around that was built a whole mythology, where the light is left out to comfort the ghosts in the theatre. Sometimes the even put out a snack and a cocktail.
I thought it was cool, and it reminded me of my relationship with Aaron. I'll always put the Ghostlight out for him, even if the stage lights go dim for a while.
How was the experience of the ATP festival you played in Iceland recently? Any UK dates planned?
Hopefully we'll hit the UK early next year. Iceland was rad! Packed house, they laughed at our jokes, and the folks we hung with were super smart and fun-loving. It really is like no other place I've ever seen. It's like being on the moon.
Just how difficult is it to earn a living wage from being a musician these days and where would you say is the bands strongest fan base domiciled at the moment?
Honestly, Tall Firs has never paid the rent for either of us for any long stretch of time. We do it because we love it and we think the endeavour has value. We know a lot of folks who make they're living solely as artists, but it is the exception not the rule.
It's pretty hacky, but do this if it enriches your life--and it has enriched mine tremendously. If your first thought is the monetary reward, you're never gonna get all you can out of it.
I dunno where the fans are. If I did I'd be busking on they're street.
Finally, what is the one piece of advice you would like to pass on to any new band starting out today?
Go out and see and meet other people who do what you wanna do. I'm pretty shy, and because of it, I've never done enough of this. That said, when I was able to, the experiences and friendships and creative cross pollination was worth it's weight in gold.
You can download the 'Ghostlight Ensemble’ now via ATP Recordings.
- Interviews
Initially living in Brooklyn, guitarist/vocalist Brady Keehn and drummer/vocalist Melissa Scaduto made a jump to Los Angeles on a whim as the financial climate in New York became too much. Within months of being in LA, the two met bassist Kenny Elkin and guitarist/keyboardist Eddie Wuebben ...................
Your debut album ‘A Thousand Hands’ is due 21st August, how would you describe your songs for people that have not heard your music yet?
Primitive Post Punk from outer space
How did the process work that you found yourselves with a label and in a position to get studio time to record an album?
We played our first show at the Echo. Jeff at Felte saw us there and a week later we signed with him.
Where was the album recorded and over what period? Were the songs already complete before you went into the studio?
The album was recorded in LA, in the back shed of this place Brady was living at. It was quickly completed in a month and the songs were written during this period as well.
What is your song writing process and where do you tend to write. Any particular places you draw inspiration from?
Brady wrote most of the material. We tend to start with a simple sound, rhythm or some kind of progression, it all varies. It's always the music first, and then a vocal stream of consciousness to develop melody and rhythm. And depending on whether the lyrics during that part of the process work or not, we may go back and re-write proper lyrics to the idea. We draw inspiration from everywhere and anything.
Are there any particular stories you would like to share behind the songs on the record?
No, we'd rather not.
If you could choose to be on the cover of a magazine, which magazine would that be and why?
News of the World
Split 7" singles are quite the trend at the moment, who would you like to have on the other side of your 7" single?
And finally …. Your views on Apple Music are?
Shows are going to continue be the only way to make a tiny bit of money.
- Interviews
How and when did the band come together and what are your early ambitions for your album?
We formed through number of years in a series of lucky timing and coincidental circumstances with enough Kevin Bacon degrees of separation to make it happen. That's the short story at least.
I think our early ambitions for the album are for people to hear it, spread the word and get some traction on a few different fronts. We've never put out a real album before, let along a 13 track, full length, so this is sort of our coming out. We want it in as many people's ears and stereos as possible, preferably at high volumes. Not to mention trying to find some licensing/commercial deals for some of the tracks. And now that we have something to show people, we are starting to look for a label as well. This first album is the foundation for all of that, hopefully.
How important do you think it is for new artists in 2015 to find a label?
Good question. I guess I wouldn't know because we don't have one... yet. I think ultimately you need a label for sure. Whether you create it yourself or not though, somebody is going to have to that work, and it's a LOT of work. I don't think it's realistic or beneficial to have the band doing the artistic side and a majority of the business side as well because it takes away from both at the end of the day. Plus, with a label, I think there’s more of a family vibe and they help immerse you into more of a community with a connection to other bands, people and places. It takes a village…
How would you describe your songs for people that have not heard your music yet?
We have never been able to boil that down to a concise answer. I’d say we are a blend of spices. The main ingredient is gritty rock, with a heavy dose of soul, a handful of punk and a pinch of jazz. The side dish would be funk and desert would be hip hop. You combine all of that; you get a nice taste of the Benjees.
Where was your debut album 'Alright, Alright, Alright' recorded and over what period? Were the songs already complete before you went into the studio?
We recorded at Virtue and Vice Studios in Brooklyn, NY with Rocky Gallo and had a great experience with both. But studios are expensive and like most bands, we’re broke- so being well prepared helped save us a lot of money. We had an agenda, literally. I typed out a production schedule for recording because we didn’t have any time or money to waste and we needed to get a lot done. We had already written and recorded 18 demo tracks to narrow down and choose from, before we hit the studio. We pretty much knew exactly what we wanted to do, we just had to do it in a nice studio with a good engineer. Two full days into night, a full moon, flasks of whiskey, beers, a few jazz cigarettes, Chinese food delivery and some Williamsburg pizzas later, we had recorded 13 tracks and the album was finished.
How do you go about creating new music, do you have to be in a certain space, mentally and physically or is i t, when the spark strikes?
It depends on the song but usually the music comes first either way. It also helps me to be in a really good mood or a bad mood. Any extreme emotional state is gonna help dictate the nature of the song and those ones tend to write themselves more so than the others. The emotion is there is just needs to come out. Lyrics are a different story though. They involve a lot of the same parallels, but I feel like they can’t just be pure gut feeling like the music is, because I want them to tell some type of story and that usually involves finessing things a bit more and re-drafting until there are some spots of clever word play and more of a through line to the character or situation. But yeah, it’s definitely a “spark” kind of writing for me. It’s there or it isn’t. And it’s funny, some weeks are spark heavy, and others are the complete opposite and turn into practice weeks instead of creative weeks, so striking when the iron is hot is key for us. Get it while the giving’s good.
Split 7" singles are quite trendy at the moment, who you like to share your split 7" record with?
We have played some shows with the Whiskey Bitches and they know how to have a good time and are a great band on top of that. We love you bitches.
How do you approach getting your music heard and making an income and what are you feelings about Social networking as a means to musical recognition?
If I had a good answer to that we’d be a richer band. We do the usual Facebook, and Twitter and Instagram, Bandcamp, and blah blah blah and all the other sites… but we have tried to take an interesting approach in some aspects because we make short sketch videos to help promote whatever we are doing at the time. Check out our our youtube page, we probably have 12 of them by now maybe, www.youtube.com/thebenjeesrock .
I would say PR is also important. If a band makes an album in the middle of the woods and nobody hears it, does it make a sound? The answer is a hard “no”. And when it comes to making money playing music… I’d say licensing is the best option to get paid an actual amount worth bringing to the bank.
I think musical recognition stems from repetition and having good songs that people will share on media or pick up on blogs and whatnot. It has to be good music first and foremost, but creative music videos can help a band stand out from the crowd too. I think anything creative and unique that helps the band show their personality will help with recognition.
What are your plans for the rest of 2015 and how far do you actually plan ahead when it comes to your musical activities?
We will be debuting our second music video in August, recording another music video during the summer and a tour is happening in the early fall. Then we're going to head back into the studio and record another album in late fall. We’ll have shows in the city throughout that time and will keep making promo videos. In general, we try to plan ahead a fair amount because everybody in the band is busy. We have our record release show on July 10th at Bowery Electric and want to pack it out as well! So mark your calendars.
What was the first gig each of the band ever attended?
The first show I saw was the Roots, Joe’s was a Jurassic 5 I think. Martin's was Linkin Park... and Grahams..? Not sure.
And finally …. Your views on Apple Music are?
There are so many platforms available now for “selling music” and they are all basically the same, to me. Spotify, Pandora to Apple, it’s the difference in fractions of a penny to an indie artist. I don’t think the music or television industry knows what to do with itself at the moment because the internet changed everything. And the contracts and bureaucracy can't keep up with the speed of technology and the dramatic change in entertainment consumption. At the end of the day, most musicians are not profiting on plays from any of those platforms and could probably make more money selling five T-shirt at a show than they would for a quarter’s worth of profits from one of any those places. What’s 10,000 plays of a song multiplied by .007 of a penny? Grocery money. But $70 goes a long way at C-Town. We could cook you a tasty meal with all that.
- Interviews
Wow, 40th Anniversary tour … where has the time gone?
No shit!
The band came together in 1969/70 Do you collectively still have any ambitions left or is it now about enjoying the legacy?
When your ambitions die you will die with them. We do enjoy ourselves immensely when we play. I personally want to work on Broadway! Maybe the West End stage in London also!!!
What can we expect on your 2015 tour, is the old magic still there?
Absolutely! Our current show features 7 or 8 character/costume changes. We are a 5 man band now, 4 original members. The production is not as gigantic as it was in the 80's but still very high energy and enjoyable!
How do you approach getting your music heard by a younger generation and what are you feelings about Social networking as a means to musical recognition?
We are still old school. Not a big fan of social media. Too many haters. Our fans bring their kids now and they dig it.
How would you describe your songs to that younger generation who may not have heard your music yet?
Complicated, interesting, not your typical 3 chord rock, Sarcastic, parodic, sometimes pedantic!
What was the music you listened to back in School/College days, that you still draw inspiration from today?
Zappa, Hendrix, Captain Beefheart, Sinatra, Pavarotti and of course Beatles!
Where did you play your first gig and last gig. Any particular memories of both?
Our first gig was in the cafeteria of the San Francisco Art Institute. Haven't played our last gig yet, I hope! Playing Vegas on Saturday! Hate Vegas!!
What was the most satisfying record you recorded and why?
The Completion Backwards Principle. First time working with producer David Foster. First rock record he ever did. First big radio hit.
How do you feel the music industry sits in 2015? Is it a better place than 1975?
No, not even close. It's all a very corporate business now. No people just analytics.
Is there any place that you have not played that you still need to tick off the list?
Many places. South America, need to play polo in Argentina!
Some of the Tubes songs or even The Tubes story would fit onto a Broadway or West End stage, do you any ambitions to write music for theatre or films?
I want to act on the Broadway stage and the West End stage more than anything!!!
THE TUBES 40TH ANNIVERSARY UK TOUR
11 Aug Leeds Brudenell Arts Club
