Something that's familiar, warm, and well-loved. But also something that's new and exciting. Straddling that line. It's written in the sand, and the surf's hit once. You can still see the line, but you can hear the surf approaching.
2) Having music on Band Camp, along with other such platforms in music right now such as Sound Cloud, Spotify and others, do you feel that music is moving into a virtual age? Personally, I fully support the idea of downloading songs for free from Band Camp and then if I like them buying them on vinyl.
The transition into the digital age is not so much a transition as it is catching your uncle puking into the sink while knocking the remains of the liquor cabinet over. Which is to say, it's been rough. I think bandcamp is probably the best of these new options— a lot of people have had great success from it. I think it's important now to offer as many options as humanly possible for consumption. The problem is continuing to trace a line from 'consumption' to 'commerce.' It's always tricky for artists to say "well, you know, I would like to do silly things like pay my rent and also make music." But I think it's something that the digital age hasn't yet allowed for. Don't ask me for the solution, though.
3) How important of a factor do you feel that record labels play in music these days when pretty much anyone can put their music on the internet as opposed to having to hand out demo tapes at shows, the distribution record labels can offer, etc. It just seems like it’s a bit easier these days to succeed as a band- and even build up a strong fan base- before a label possibly comes calling for you.
I think at the end of the day, it's all about reach. How many people do you want to be listening to what you're doing? How important is that to you? If it's not very important, then sure, hand out cassettes at shows in grimy basements, having epileptic fits in grungy garages. Maybe you could throw one at the cops as they chase you out of the apartment show.
That sounds cynical, but it's supposed to be romantic. There's something very attractive about making music as precious as possible. But if you want more than, say, 50 people to hear your life's work, then you need a larger entity to help you. Yes, once your music is on the internet, then anyone could hear it. But there needs to be a cosmic finger pointing the way to your work— the internet is a superhighway of information, and bands are hitchhikers. Making your own sign is great and all, but you still need a bright shining light above your head screaming 'pick me pick me.' That, and other similar resources, is what a label can do for you these days.
4) If you could tour with any single band or musician who would you pick and why?
Well for me personally, since David Bowie's not going to tour, I'll have to say Captain Ahab's Motorcycle Club. But for the rest of the band? Hard to say— we rarely fully agree on things like that. We could probably agree on Grizzly Bear. Am I supposed to be realistic? If no, then Justin Timberlake. No— a triple bill with Us, Grimes, and Beyoncé.
5) Who is your favorite New Kid on the Block?
The one with the teeth.
6) Who would win in a musical fight: Jack Black or Jack White?
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