Substream Magazine Issue 56 Featuring Maggie Rogers

S U B S T R E A M

VI N Y L O N T A P N o rt h e r n C alif o r ni a b a n d s & r e gi o n al b r e w s

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T H E B E A R • A N D R E W M C M A H O N • FI C K L E F RI E N D S • D R E W H O L C O M B • A C C E P T A N C E F O R E V E R L Y N

ROGERS

“I think with music,if you can describe your e motions honestly, then thereis so mething hu man aboutit that everyone feels.”

I N A M E RI C A’ S M AJ O R M U SI C CI TI E S

# 5 6 M A R 2 0 1 7 U S $ 5. 9 9 C A N $ 6. 9 9

• M E WI T H O U T Y O U

MAGGIE T H E M E T E O RI C RI S E O F

G UI D E T O LI VI N G & W O R KI N G

N E W L O O K // N E W B A N D S // N E W M U S IC // N E W E R A out 3/10

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S T A N D B Y R E C O R D S .C O M | S T A N D B Y R E C O R D S M E R C H .C O M f a c e b o o k .c o m / s t a n d b y r e c o r d s | t w it t e r .c o m / s t a n d b y r e c o r d s | in s t a g r a m .c o m / s t a n d b y r e c o r d s | y o u t u b e .c o m / s t a n d b y t u b e

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D E M O N IN M E - “ H E R E S Y O U R W A Y O U T ”

L IG H T T H E F IR E - “A S C E N S IO N ”

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S U B S T R E A M]

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56 ISS UE

MAR 17

O N T H E

C O V E R

MAG GIE R O GERS

A y e a r a g o, n o b o d y c o ul d h a v e p r e di ct e d t h e a m o u nt of s u c c e s s t hi s y o u n g s o n g w rit e r w o ul d a c hi e v e i n s u c h a s h o rt a m o u nt of ti m e, b ut wit h a vi r al hit, a n e w E P of e q u all y i m p r e s si v e c r e ati o n s, a n d s e v e r al s ol d- o ut s h o w s, M a g gi e R o g e r s’ m o m e nt u m i s i n d o mit a bl e.

F E A T U R E S

4 2. A C CE P T A N CE

Aft e r st e p pi n g a w a y f r o m t h e s c e n e f o r a d e c a d e, A c c e pt a n c e h e a r d t h ei r f a n s’ c all s a n d h a v e st o r m e d b a c k wit h a br a n d n e w r e c or d a n d a l ot m o r e lif e u n d e r t h ei r c oll e cti v e b elt.

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4 4. D RE W H OL C O M B

D r e w H ol c o m b i s a t o u ri n g m a c hi n e a n d hi s m a n y e x p e ri e n c e s o n t h e r o a d h a v e f u el e d w h at i s p e r h a p s hi s b e st w o r k y et o n D r e w H ol c o m b a n d t h e N ei g h b o r s’ S o u v e ni r .

[ S U B S T R E A MM A G A ZI N E. C O M ]

4 6.FI C KLE F RIE N D S

T h e U. K. u p- a n d- c o m e r s a r e y et t o e v e n r el e a s e a d e b ut f ull-l e n gt h b ut t h ei r m a n y si n gl e s a n d 2 0 1 5 E P have ma de a nti ci p ati o n f o r t h at e v e nt u al e f o rt q uit e i m m e n s e.

4 8. A N D RE W M C M A H O N I N T HE WIL DE R NE S S N o str a n g er t o t h e i n d u str y, t h e p o p-r o c k v et er a n h a s s wit c h e d c o a st s f or a fr e s h s o u n d, a n d t h e r e s ult i s Z o m bi e s O n Br o a d w a y , M c M a h o n’ s m o st p oli s h e d w or k t o d at e.

5 1. MI N U S T HE BE A R

Aft e r t h ei r 2 0 1 2 f ulll e n gt h r el e a s e, t h e f ut u r e w a s a bit u n c e rt ai n f o r t h e st o ri e d S e attl e r o c k e r s, b ut aft e r s e v e r al c h a n g e s a n d a l e n gt h y r e s pit e e v e r yt hi n g e v e nt u all y f ell i nt o pl a c e f o r t h ei r si xt h st u di o L P, V OI D S .

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28 F E A T U R E S

1 0. S U B S T RE A M A P P R O VE D:

M e at W a v e, R a d k e y, C ar o u s el Ki n g s,

C a n’t S wi m, a n d G e o w ulf

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1 6. T HE N & N O W: 1 8. Ra di o U:

m e wit h o ut Y o u

F ai nt h e art

2 0.I N D U S T RY S P O TLI G H T: H e at h 2 1. P U N K O U T:

Mill er, V P of W e b st er H all

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2 2.LI V A BLE M U SI C CI TIE S: A u sti n, C hi c a g o, L o s 2 8. VI N YL O N T A P:

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A n g el e s, a n d m or e

P airi n g N ort h er n C alif or ni a B a n d s wit h R e gi o n al Br e w s

3 0. GL AZE T HE D AY:

A n i nt er vi e w wit h D o n ut Fri e n d o w n er M ar k Tr o m bi n o

3 2. S O U N D W O R D S:

A lit er ar y l o o k i nt o t h e m u si c w orl d

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S U B S T R E A M M A G A ZI N E M U SI C + C U L T U R E + O B S E S SI O N

P O B o x 1 0 5 9 D el a w a r e, O H 4 3 0 1 5 O W N E R / E DI T O R I N C HI E F

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E X E C U TI V E DI R E C T O R

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E DI T O RI A L DI R E C T O R

B ri a n L e a k brian @substrea m magazine.co m

, s g n i t e e Gr ! s r e m a e S u b st r Wi nt e r h a s b e e n r at h e r r el e ntl e s s, e h ? W e’ r e still t r yi n g t o t h a w o ut b ut l u c kil y t h e f a ct t h at w e c a n’t f e el o u r i n g e r s h a s a ct u all y m a d e it e a si e r t o w o r k t h e m t o t h e b o n e. Wit h S u b st r e a m 5 6 w e h a v e y et a n ot h e r i s s u e p a c k e d wit h e x c ell e nt c o nt e nt —l ot s of n e w a r e a s e x pl o r e d — a n d w e’ r e c o n i d e nt y o u’ r e g oi n g t o e nj o y e v e r y bit of it. O u r g o al h a s al w a y s b e e n t o k e e p y o u u p t o d at e o n y o u r f a v o rit e s u bj e ct s i n m u si c, il m, a n d b e y o n d i n p o p c ult u r e w hil e al s o i nt r o d u ci n g y o u t o n e w t al e nt s a n d i n c r e di bl e w o r k s t h at y o u c a n f all i n l o v e wit h, t o o. T hi s i s t h e w o rl d w e li v e a n d b r e at h e e v e r y d a y at S u b st r e a m a n d w e c o ul d n’t b e m o r e h a p p y t o s h a r e it wit h y o u all. S o c u d dl e u p wit h s o m e h ot c o c o a a n d a ni c e i r e a n d e nj o y o u r l at e st c oll e cti o n of st o ri e s, i nt e r vi e w s, r e vi e w s, a n d m o r e —j u st d o u s a f a v o r a n d d o n’t t o s s it i n t h e l a m e s w h e n y o u’ r e i ni s h e d. T h a n k s!

M A N A GI N G E DI T O R

J a m e s S h ot w ell ja mes @substrea m magazine.co m

F or e v er c hilli n’, B ri a n L e a k

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A D V E R TI SI N G

C o nt a ct U s!

C O N T RI B U TI N G W RI T E R S G a bri el Ai ki n s, J o h n B a zl e y, D a n B o g o si a n, G e o f B ur n s, C a m er o n C arr, S a m C o h e n, L a n d o n D ef e v er, Ti m D o d d eri d g e, D a n e Er b a c h, K yl e Fl or e n c e, A dri a n G ar z a, M ari a Gir o n a s, A nt h o n y Gl a s er, H e at h er Gl o c k, R o b ert H a m, T yl er H a n a n, J e s si c a Kli n n er, Bri a n L e a k, M att h e w L ei m k u e hl er, E milli e M ar v el, Bri dj et M e n d y u k, L ei g h M o n s o n, Britt a n y M o s el e y, Mi s c h a P e arl m a n, Gr e g Pr att, K at e R u s s ell, K ni al S a u n d er s, J a m e s S h ot w ell, Bri a n S h ult z, Eri c S pit z, K e vi n St er n e, Ni c ol e Ti er n a n, St e p h a ni e V a u g h a n

C O N T RI B U TI N G P H O T O G R A P H E R S E d o u ar d C a m u s, K at e D al y, S ar a F ei gi n, Al e x a Fr a n k o vit c h, H e at h er Gl o c k, K ell y H a milt o n, M ar k H o f m a n, A n a m M er c h a nt, S o p hi a R a g o m o, K yl e Si m m o n s, A u sti n S yl v e st, E mil y T a nt u c ci o, Ji m Tr o c c hi o, J e s si c a Willi a m s

info @subsrea m magazine.co m

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ME AT W A VE P u n k s h a v e f e eli n g s, t o o!

S T O R Y: B ri dj et M e n d y u k / / P H O T O: W ei r d Lif e Fil m s

At a kit s c h y c o f e e s p ot i n C hi c a g o, l e a d si n g e r C h ri s S utt e r s mil e s a s h e w al k s i n f r o m t h e 1 5- d e g r e e, bli st e ri n g c ol d — a itti n g m et a p h o r f o r t h e p a st c o u pl e of y e a r s t h e l o c al p u n k t ri o h a v e h a d si n c e t h ei r d e b ut r e c o r d, D el u si o n M o o n , w a s r el e a s e d vi a Si d e O n e D u m m y R e c o r d s. F o r a g u y w h o h a s t r a v el e d t h e w o rl d a n d s u f e r e d a d e v a st ati n g b r e a k- u p i n t a n d e m, it’ s n o s u r p ri s e t h e e n d r e s ult w a s t h ei r m o r e r e c e nt e f o rt, T h e I n c e s s a nt . “ T hi s w h ol e r e c o r d i s v e r y cl o s e t o m e. I’ v e n e v e r w ritt e n a b o ut m y s elf,” S utt e r s a y s. “I h a d j u st g ott e n o ut of a r el ati o n s hi p t h at I w a s i n all m y lif e, b a si c all y. I w a s li vi n g f o r t h e fi r st ti m e a s a si n gl e p e r s o n a n d [ e x p e ri e n ci n g] t h e c o nf u si o n t h at c o m e s wit h t h at. I j u st c a m e o ut of t h e s e p a st c o u pl e of y e a r s wit h s o m e r e ali z ati o n s a b o ut m y s elf.”

C at h a rti c, ti ri n g, a n d p u n k a s all g et o ut, M e at W a v e a r e n o st r a n g e r s t o w o r ki n g h a r d, b ut S utt e r s a y s t h e b a n d “ w o r k e d h a r d e r t h a n [t h e y] e v e r h a v e” wit h t h e c r e ati o n of T h e I n c e s s a nt .

T h o u g h c o mi n g at a ti m e w h e n lif e

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w a s p a rti c ul a rl y h e a v y, S utt e r’ s bi g g e st f e a r w a s k n o wi n g p e o pl e w o ul d li st e n t o t h e r e c o r d a n d l e a r n t h e m o st i nti m at e d et ail s a b o ut hi m s elf.

“I t hi n k a l ot of p e o pl e c a n r el at e t o t h e o v e r w h el mi n g n e s s of e v e r yt hi n g a n d h o w e v e r yt hi n g s e e m s t o w ei g h at ti m e s,” S utt e r s a y s.

“It’ s a l ot of d a r k n e s s t o f o c u s o n; it’ s b ot h g o o d a n d ki n d of a d r a g at t h e s a m e ti m e. T h e m o st di i c ult p a rt f o r m e w a s s e ei n g t h e al b u m t h r o u g h.

H o n e st y a n d t r ut h ki n d of t r u m p e v e r yt hi n g el s e a n d y o u s h o ul d s e e t h at t h r o u g h, e v e n if it d o e s n’t s e e m ri g ht. I t hi n k it’ s g o o d t o e x pl o r e y o u r s elf. A s a p e r s o n, I’ m b e c o mi n g m o r e r e m o v e d f r o m t h at ti m e i n m y lif e a n d l e a r ni n g m o r e a b o ut t r yi n g t o b e a g o o d p e r s o n, e m p at h y, ki n d n e s s, a n d l o v e. It s o u n d s h o k e y, b ut it i s r e al.”

W hil e T h e I n c e s s a nt i s m or e di s s o ci ati v e a n d m o o d y, S utt er s p e a k s t o t h e d e di c ati o n t h e gr o u p h a s p ut i n, citi n g, “ O ur m u si c h a s n e v er b e e n a s cl o s e [t o u s] a s it i s n o w.” A m u c h d e s er v e d f e eli n g, t h e gr o u p h a v e b e e n at it i n t h e C hi c a g o s c e n e f or m a n y y e ar s n o w, fr o m pl a yi n g w e e k e n d-l o n g f e sti v al s t o m u d wr e stli n g h o u s e s h o w s a n d a m yri a d of t h e m o st b el o v e d, gri m y p u n k b ar s t h e cit y h a s t o o f er. S utt er s a y s t h at “t h e w ar mt h a n d s u p p ort i s u n p ar all el e d” i n t h e p u n k s c e n e a n d h a s b e e n a c o n st a nt i n M e at W a v e’ s c ar e er, n ot t o m e nti o n p er k s li k e g etti n g t o t o ur wit h P U P, Vi ol e nt S o h o, a n d t h e Dirt y Nil.

“It’ s c r a z y h o w s u p p o rti v e p e o pl e a r e a n d h o w s u p p o rti v e of e a c h ot h e r e v e r y o n e i s h e r e. I’ m s o s u r p ri s e d t h at p e o pl e a r e n’t si c k of u s a n d t h at p e o pl e a r e still i nt e r e st e d i n u s. T h e r e’ s a h u g e a m o u nt of l o v e,” h e s a y s. “ T h e bi g g e st p a rt [ of all t hi s] i s r e ali zi n g t h e r e’ s still w o r k t o b e d o n e.

Y o u’ v e g ot t o k e e p g oi n g at it.”

Wit h t h e r e c o r d’ s F e b r u a r y r el e a s e, M e at W a v e a r e st o k e d t o g et b a c k o n t h e r o a d, w hi c h will b e a ti m e f o r r e l e cti o n f o r S utt e r. T h e g ri ef i s still t h e r e, b ut h e s a y s ti m e will h el p wit h t h e h e ali n g p r o c e s s. If a n yt hi n g, t h e r e’ s al w a y s m o r e b e e r. W h e r e D el u si o n M o o n w a s a b o ut “ e x p o si n g t h e c r u elti e s i n t h e w o rl d” a n d T h e I n c e s s a nt i s a b o ut “ e x p o si n g y o u r s elf,” M e at W a v e h a v e c o m e t o a p r o mi si n g p oi nt i n t h ei r c a r e e r s w h e r e t h e y c a n m el d t h e t w o t o g et h e r t o m a k e s o m et hi n g r a d: m o r e g o o d ol’ f a s hi o n e d p u n k m u si c, j u st wit h a m o r e h e a rtf elt t wi st. “ O n c e s o m et hi n g i s o ut t h e r e f o r p e o pl e t o h a v e, I f e el li k e it’ s w a y l e s s of [ s o m et hi n g t h at b el o n g s t o m e]... li k e I c a n m o v e o n,” S utt e r s a y s.

“It’ s b e e n a w hil e si n c e w e r el e a s e d n e w m u si c a n d I f e el li k e t hi s m u si c i s m o r e u s t h a n e v e r; it d e i n e s w h o w e a r e, w h e r e w e’ r e g oi n g, a n d w h at w e’ r e d oi n g. W e’ r e j u st g o n n a d o it. W h at a q u ot e.” S

R A D KE Y

A m u c h - n e e d e d r o c k ‘ n’ r oll p u n c h t o t h e g ut.

S T O R Y: M att h e w L ei m k u e hl e r / /

P H O T O: Vi n n y Di n g o

A p u n c h i n t h e g ut. A ki c k i n t h e s hi n s. A n a u r al e x pl o si o n w o rt h y of t h e l o u d e st, f a st e st, a n d m o st b r a s h m o d e r n a ct s.

T h at’ s w h at it s o u n d s li k e t o e x p e ri e n c e p u n k r o c k t ri o R a d k e y f o r t h e i r st ti m e.

T h e Mi s s o u ri - b o r n o utfit — c o m p ri s e d of b r ot h e r s D e e, t h e 2 3 - y e a r- ol d g uit a ri st a n d si n g e r, I s ai a h, t h e 2 1 - y e a r- ol d b a s si st, a n d S ol o m o n R a d k e, t h e 1 9 - y e a r- ol d d r u m m e r — r el e a s e d t h e st u di o eff o rt, D eli ci o u s R o c k N oi s e , vi a A n ot h e r C e nt u r y l at e i n 2 0 1 6. T h e r e c o r d, w hi c h c o nt ai n s n u m b e r s off t h e b a n d’ s 2 0 1 5 L P, D a r k Bl a c k M a k e u p , a s w ell a s p r e vi o u sl y u n r el e a s e d m u si c, c o m e s aft e r t h e b a n d a n n o u n c e d t h ei r si g ni n g t o A n ot h e r C e nt u r y j u st t w o m o nt h s p ri o r.

I s ai a h c all s t h e t r a n siti o n t o t h e n e w l a b el a n e x citi n g e x p e ri e n c e. “ O n e of t h e m ai n r e a s o n s w e si g n e d wit h t h e m w a s b e c a u s e t h e y r e all y d u g t h e r e c o r d, w hi c h w a s ni c e,” h e s a y s. “It’ s c o ol b e c a u s e w e di d n’t g et it o ut t h e r e a s hit l o a d wit h t h e o ri gi n al v e r si o n. B ei n g a bl e t o a d d a c o u pl e m o r e s o n g s a n d g et it o ut t h e r e i s ni c e. W e w o r k e d p r ett y h a r d o n it. It’ s c o ol t h e l a b el i s willi n g t o d o t h at.”

T h e m el o di c v e r a cit y of t h e b a n d i s m at c h e d o nl y b y it s p u r e r o c k ‘ n’ r oll a g g r e s si o n. S o n g s li k e r e c o r d o p e n e r “ D a r k Bl a c k M a k e u p” hit s li st e n e r s wit h it s f u ri o u s, all-t o o- c at c h y, bi g- c h o r d c h o r u s a n d d ri vi n g t r a n siti o n al d r u m r oll s, w hil e p u n k-l a c e d a n d di st o rt e d c h a o s e n s u e s o n n u m b e r s li k e “ R o m a n c e D a w n” a n d “ Gl o r e.”

“ W e still r e all y l o v e t hi s al b u m a n d w e p ut a l ot of w o r k i nt o it,” I s ai a h s a y s. “It’ s o u r d r e a m r e c o r d, r e all y. It’ s e v e n c o ol e r n o w t h at w e’ v e g ot [t h e] n e w s o n g s o n t h e r e. It m a k e s it m o r e f u n, I g u e s s.”

T h e b a n d h ail s f r o m t h e s m all Mi s s o u ri Ri v e r cit y, St. J o s e p h. A s h o rt d ri v e n o rt h of K a n s a s Cit y a n d a d e c e nt t r e k s o ut h of O m a h a, N e b r a s k a, t h e b a n d b r o k e l o o s e of t h e s m all cit y’ s c o n i n e s ( St. J o s e p h’ s p o p ul ati o n i s e sti m at e d at 7 5, 0 0 0) a n d di d w h at a n y g r o u p of t e e n a g e b r ot h e r s wit h t al e nt, d ri v e, a n d a bl a zi n g li v e s h o w s h o ul d d o: T h e y t o u r e d. A n d t o u r e d. T h e n t h e y t o u r e d s o m e m o r e. T h e g r o u p gi g g e d wit h Ri s e A g ai n st, A g ai n st M e!, a n d T o u c h e A m o r e, a p p e a r e d at C o a c h ell a a n d C hi c a g o’ s Ri ot F e st a s w ell a s D o w nl o a d F e sti v al i n t h e U nit e d Ki n g d o m, a n d J a p a n’ s P u n k s p ri n g.

W h at b r o u g ht t h e b a n d t o e s c a pi n g St. J o e s p h ? B o r e d o m t u r n e d w o r k et hi c. T h e b r ot h e r s, w h e n n ot o n t h e r o a d, n o w c all K a n s a s Cit y

[

h o m e. “ T h e b o r e d o m, I g u e s s, r e all y i n l u e n c e d t h e w h ol e vi b e,” I s ai a h s a y s. “ T h e r e’ s n ot hi n g t o d o b ut w o r k o n m u si c s o t h at’ s p r ett y m u c h w h at w e di d all t h e ti m e — w o r k o n t h at.”

A R a d k e y c o v e r of t h e t h e m e s o n g t o t h e a ni m at e d s e ri e s T e e n Tit a n s i s o n e of t h e p r e vi o u sl y u n r el e a s e d t r a c k s i n cl u d e d o n D eli ci o u s R o c k N oi s e . I s ai a h s a y s t h e b a n d’ s b e e n w o r ki n g o n t h e s o n g si n c e a r o u n d i n c e pti o n. “ W e’ v e b e e n pl a yi n g t h at s o n g si n c e a r o u n d t h e ti m e t h e b a n d st a rt e d a n d w e fi n all y r e c o r d e d i n L a w r e n c e a n d w e fi g u r e d [ w e’ d] a d d it a s a b o n u s t r a c k. It j u st fit s t h e w h ol e s u p e r h e r o vi b e.”

R a d k e y w r a p p e d u p 2 0 1 6 wit h a h e a dli ni n g N o rt h A m e ri c a n t o u r wit h t h e F a m e Ri ot, w hi c h u n d o u bt e dl y a d d e d a sl e w of n e w f oll o w e r s t o t h e t ri o’ s g r o wi n g f a n b a s e. A c c o r di n g t o I s ai a h, R a d k e y i s al s o w o r ki n g o n n e w m u si c a n d pl a n s t o t e st o ut n e w s o n g s o n u p c o mi n g o uti n g s. S

S U B S T R E A M M A G A ZI N E //

S U B S T R E A M]

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C A R O U S E L KI N G S Fl o ati n g a n d f o c u s e d.

S T O R Y: E ri c S pit z / / P H O T O: D u sti n S mit h

F o c u si n g o n s o n g w riti n g g r o u n d z e r o, a n d all o wi n g t h e mi n d t o r e a c h n e w cr e ati v e h ei g ht s, p o p- p u n k q u art et C ar o u s el Ki n g s pl a c e d a h e a v y e m p h a si s o n t h eir m e nt al w ell- b ei n g t o cr e at e t h eir t hir d f ull-l e n gt h r el e a s e, C h ar m Cit y . I n or d er t o r e a c h t h eir n e w cr e ati v e h ei g ht s, C ar o u s el Ki n g s st art e d i m pl e m e nti n g l ot ati o n t h er a p y i nt o t h eir r o uti n e, u si n g t h e pr a cti c e a s a m e dit ati v e f or m i n or d er t o st a y r el a x e d a n d f o c u s e d w hil e t h e al b u m w a s b ei n g c o n str u ct e d.

I n s h o rt, l ot ati o n t h e r a p y — al s o r ef e r r e d t o a s s e n s o r y d e p ri v ati o n —i s a p r a cti c e w h e r e i n di vi d u al s li e i n a s o u n d p r o of a n d li g ht p r o of c h a m b e r of si x t o t w el v e i n c h e s of w at e r ill e d wit h E p s o m s alt s, all o wi n g a n y o n e wit hi n t h e c h a m b e r t o l o at a n d r e a c h a d e e p m e dit ati v e st at e. I n a d diti o n t o b ei n g t h e v o c ali st of C a r o u s el Ki n g s, D a vi d Al e x a n d e r h a s al s o w o r k e d at a s p a i n W e st C h e st e r, P e n n s yl v a ni a f o r t h e p a st t w o a n d a h alf y e a r s, a n d g ot t h e r e st of t h e g r o u p i n v ol v e d i n t h e p r a cti c e, t o o.

C u r r e ntl y, Al e x a n d e r l o at s f o r a r o u n d 9 0 mi n ut e s i n a s e s si o n, a n d d o e s o n e s e s si o n e a c h w e e k. “ T hi s i s t h e i r st al b u m t h at all of t h e b a n d m e m b e r s p a rti ci p at e d i n

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t h at l o ati n g, a n d I f e el li k e it h el p e d b o o st o u r w riti n g a n d o u r c r e ati vit y a l ot. It w a s ki n d of li k e a st e r oi d f o r t h e b r ai n w a v e s,” Al e x a n d e r s a y s, r e l e cti n g o n C h ar m Cit y ’ s w riti n g p r o c e s s. “I f e el li k e t h e i d e a s j u st l o w e d v e r y n at u r all y a n d w e di d n’t h a v e t o f o r c e a n yt hi n g.”

I n r e g ar d s t o t h e s p e ci i c s, a b ul k of t h e m u si c f or C h ar m Cit y w a s writt e n b ef or e h a n d. Al e x a n d er w o ul d t a k e t h e m u si c t h at w a s writt e n a n d li st e n t o it wit hi n t h e s wi m r o o m, tr yi n g t o cr e at e m el o di e s w hil e i n a tr ul y r el a x e d st at e.

W hil e l ot ati o n t h er a p y w a s t h e m aj or m e di u m u s e d t o b o o st cr e ati vit y, t h e gr o u p pl a c e d a h e a v y e m p h a si s o n r el a x ati o n a s a w h ol e i n or d er t o st a y wit hi n a g o o d fr a m e of mi n d. T hi s i n cl u d e d t h e u s e of bi n a ur al b e at s b y Al e x a n d er a n d p ai nti n g b y b a s si st C o d y J a y Willi a m s.

I n a d diti o n t o t h e w riti n g p r o c e s s, t h e al b u m a rt i n s pi r ati o n c a n b e att ri b ut e d t o t h e i d e a of m e dit ati o n a s w ell. C a r o u s el Ki n g s’ ut o pi a n-li k e C h a r m Cit y i s d e s c ri b e d b y Al e x a n d e r a s a pl a c e t h at’ s vi sit e d d u ri n g m e dit ati o n. W h e n d e s c ri bi n g hi s vi si o n t o a v a ri et y of a rti st s, n o o n e s e e m e d t o u n d e r st a n d it b ett e r t h a n A r c h a n N ai r, w h o’ s p r e vi o u sl y d o n e i nt e r n ati o n al

c a m p ai g n s f o r K a n y e W e st, Ni k e, R e d B ull, a n d m a n y ot h e r s.

“I al m o st f e el li k e it w a s m e a nt t o b e,” Al e x a n d e r s a y s a b o ut hi s e x p e ri e n c e w o r ki n g wit h N ai r. “ O u r h o p e i s t h at w h e n p e o pl e s e e [t h e al b u m a rt w o r k], it m a k e s t h e m q u e sti o n t h e m s el v e s, m a k e s t h e m l o o k i n w a r d at t h e m s el v e s, a n d h a s p e o pl e s e a r c hi n g f o r a n s w e r s t h e y di d n’t e v e n k n o w t h e y h a d q u e sti o n s f o r.”

E v e n b ef o r e t h e n e w r o uti n e f o r t h e b a n d, C a r o u s el Ki n g s al s o w e nt t h r o u g h t h e c h a n g e of b ei n g si g n e d t o Vi ct o r y R e c o r d s f o r t h e p r o d u cti o n of t h ei r l at e st e f o rt s, aft e r h a vi n g p r e vi o u sl y w o r k e d wit h l o c al l a b el CI R e c o r d s. “ W e’ v e f elt v e r y w el c o m e d b y Vi ct o r y. I m e a n, t h e al b u m w o ul d n’t b e p o s si bl e wit h o ut t h e m,” Al e x a n d e r s a y s. “I j u st f e el r e all y g r at ef ul, st o k e d, a n d e x cit e d t o s e e w h at t h e o ut c o m e i s.”

O n e t hi n g t h at’ s c ert ai nl y a d mir a bl e a b o ut C ar o u s el Ki n g s i s t h eir att e nti o n t o d et ail f or h o w a s o n g s h o ul d b e c o n str u ct e d.

St arti n g fr o m t h e gr o u n d u p, t h e e ntir e gr o u p pl a y s o f e a c h ot h er’ s e n er g y t o cr e at e a n al b u m wit h s o n g s t h at p a c k p o w erf ul p u n c h e s, w hi c h h a s r e s ult e d i n t hi s 1 3-tr a c k r el e a s e t h at t h e gr o u p i s u n d er st a n d a bl y pr o u d of.

“I f e el li k e t h e al b u m’ s p r ett y d e e p. I f e el li k e I c a n h o n e stl y s a y I d o n’t h a v e a f a v o rit e s o n g o n t h e al b u m. I f e el li k e w e t ri e d r e all y h a r d t o m a k e e a c h s o n g it s o w n t hi n g,” Al e x a n d e r s a y s, p o n d e ri n g t h e c r e ati o n of t h ei r n e w e st al b u m.

C a r o u s el Ki n g s e x p e ri e n c e d c r e ati vit y t h at r e a c h e d n e w h ei g ht s i n t h e p r o c e s s of w riti n g C h ar m Cit y . U si n g t h e p r a cti c e s m e nti o n e d a b o v e, Al e x a n d e r r e c o g ni z e s t h e i m p o rt a n c e of m e nt al w ell- b ei n g a n d t h e p o w e r t h e h u m a n mi n d t r ul y h a s, s a yi n g, “ W e c a n c o nt r ol s o m u c h m o r e t h a n w e b eli e v e, o r w h at w e a r e l e d t o b eli e v e.” S

C A N' T S WI M M a ki n g w a v e s wit h bi g s o u n d s, bi g i d e a s.

S T O R Y: K yl e Fl o r e n c e / / P H O T O: R o b e rt S c h e u e r m a n

T h o u g h t h ei r n a m e m a y i m pl y ot h e r wi s e, K e a n s b u r g, N e w J e r s e y’ s C a n’t S wi m a r e n’t j u st t r e a di n g w at e r. Si n c e c o mi n g t o g et h e r i n t h e s p ri n g of 2 0 1 5, t h e f o u r- pi e c e h a v e s n a g g e d a r e c o r d d e al wit h a m aj o r l a b el, p ut o ut a w o n d e rf ull y c at h a rti c a n d w ell- r e c ei v e d E P, a n d s h a r e d t h e st a g e wit h s o m e of alt e r n ati v e m u si c’ s b ri g ht e st st a r s; a n i m p r e s si v e li st of a c c o m pli s h m e nt s f o r a n y u p- a n d- c o mi n g a ct. B ut p e r h a p s t h e m o st st ri ki n g a s p e ct of C a n’t S wi m’ s m et e o ri c ri s e i s h o w cl o s e t h e y w e r e t o n e v e r l e a vi n g t h e g r o u n d i n t h e i r st pl a c e.

“I h a d n o i nt e nti o n of e v e r e v e n s h o wi n g t h e m t o st r a n g e r s,” s a y s f r o nt m a n C h ri s L o P o rt o, r ef e r ri n g t o t h e d e m o s t h at w o ul d e v e nt u all y b e c o m e t h e b a n d’ s P u r e N oi s e d e b ut, D e at h D e s er v e s A N a m e. “I w a s d oi n g s o m et hi n g p e r s o n al —I h a d s o m et hi n g t h at I w a nt e d t o g et o f m y c h e st a n d w rit e a b o ut. T h e n I s e nt it t o s o m e of m y cl o s e f ri e n d s, a n d t h o s e f ri e n d s s e nt it t o s o m e ot h e r p e o pl e. T h e n P u r e N oi s e h e a r d it, c all e d m e o n t h e p h o n e, a n d w a nt e d t o d o a r e c o r d.”

F o r L o P o rt o, a lif el o n g d r u m m e r, it w a s a n u n e x p e ct e d, al b eit w el c o m e t u r n of e v e nt s. “I n e v e r t h o u g ht i n a milli o n y e a r s I’ d h a v e a n E P. T hi s i s s o m et hi n g I n e v e r r e all y w a nt e d, b ut it’ s b e e n a n i n c r e di bl y r e w a r di n g e x p e ri e n c e. H o n e stl y, it’ s p r o b a bl y t h e m o st e x citi n g t hi n g I’ v e e v e r d o n e wit h m y lif e — m y bi g g e st a c c o m pli s h m e nt,” s a y s L o P o rt o.

Li st e ni n g t o t h e o ut it’ s f r e s h m a n e f o rt, o n e q ui c kl y r e ali z e s t h at t h e h y p e i s w ell- w a r r a nt e d. D e at h D e s e r v e s A N a m e i s a s c at c h y a s it i s g ritt y, j a m- p a c k e d wit h m e m o r a bl e m el o di e s a n d c utti n g l y ri ci s m. O v e r t h e c o u r s e of i v e p e rf e ctl y- p a c e d t r a c k s, L o P o rt o a n d hi s c o h o rt s di s s e ct l o v e a n d l o s s wit h a n u n m at c h e d c a n d o r, l e a vi n g littl e r o o m f o r i nt e r p r et ati o n a n d e v e n l e s s f o r c riti q u e. It’ s a st r ai g htf o r w a r d

b ut wil dl y a f e cti n g i nt r o d u cti o n — a f r a m e w o r k t h e b a n d h o p e s t o b uil d u p o n a s t h e y g e a r u p t o r el e a s e t h ei r d e b ut f ull-l e n gt h, F ail Y o u A g ai n.

“I t hi n k w e r e all y cr e at e d s o m et hi n g b et w e e n t h e f o ur of u s t h at w e all r e all y li k e a n d w e’r e all r e all y e x cit e d t o b e a p art of,” L o P ort o s a y s of t h e gr o u p’ s f ort h c o mi n g L P, w hi c h i s s et t o arri v e s o m eti m e i n t h e c o mi n g m o nt h s. “ W e w a nt t o t o ur, a n d w e w a nt t o g et b ett er — b e c o m e b ett er s o n g writ er s a n d b e c o m e a b ett er b a n d — a n d I t hi n k t hi s r e c or d gi v e s u s a n o p p ort u nit y t o d o t h at. W e’r e s o p s y c h e d.”

Fa ns have goo d reaso n to be p s y c h e d, t o o. A c c o r di n g t o L o P o rt o, F ail Y o u A g ai n i s wit h o ut a d o u bt t h e b a n d’ s m o st c o h e si v e c oll e cti o n t o d at e. “ W e’ v e b e e n a b a n d f o r o v e r a y e a r n o w — w e p r a cti c e all t h e ti m e, w e pl a y s h o w s — s o n o w w e r e all y h a v e a c h a n c e t o p r a cti c e a p a rt, p r a cti c e a s o n g, a n d ki n d of s e e if it t r a n sl at e s w ell li v e. S o i n m y o pi ni o n, [t h e al b u m] s o u n d s a l ot m o r e li k e t h e f o u r of u s r at h e r t h a n j u st m e. T h e d u d e s i n t h e b a n d d o s o m e h a r m o ni e s, w e t r a v el e d d o w n t h e p at h of g uit a r w o r k a littl e bit m o r e, a n d I t hi n k g e n e r all y w e w e r e n’t

[

af r ai d t o j u st s p r e a d o u r s el v e s o ut a littl e bit m o r e a c r o s s t h e s p e ct r u m,” e x pl ai n s L o P o rt o.

Still, a s b ri g ht a s t h e f ut u r e m a y b e f o r L o P o rt o a n d c o m p a n y, h e’ s q ui c k t o n ot e t h at n o a m o u nt of s u c c e s s c a n e v e r m at c h t h e t h rill of l o o ki n g o ut o nt o a n e a g e r a u di e n c e.

“I j u st h o p e t h e ki d s l o v e it a n d c a n c o n n e ct wit h it,” L o P o rt o l a u g h s.

“I c a m e t o t h at r e ali z ati o n t o d a y: It’ s r e all y all a b o ut t h e ki d s. W e al w a y s c h all e n g e o u r s el v e s t o w rit e t h e b e st ki n d of s o n g s, b ut t o m e, I j u st w a nt t o b e t h at b a n d t h at w a s a bi g i m p a ct o n m e w h e n I w a s 2 2.” S

I j u st w a nt t o b e t h at b a n d t h at w a s a bi g i m p a ct o n m e w h e n I w a s 2 2.”

— C H RI S L O P O R T O

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GE O W ULF S a yi n g a l ot wit h v e r y littl e.

S T O R Y: G a b ri el Ai ki n s / / P H O T O: A n d y B a nj a ni n

Y o u d o n’t n e e d d o z e n s a n d d o z e n s of t r a c k s t o m a k e a st r o n g i m p r e s si o n a s a n a rti st. S o m eti m e s all it t a k e s i s o n e st ell a r s o n g f o r p e o pl e t o t a k e n oti c e of y o u r w o r k. T hi s i s t h e c a s e f o r A u st r ali a n d u o G e o w ulf, c u r r e ntl y b a s e d i n L o n d o n. T h e b a n d, c o n si sti n g of St a r K e n d ri c k a n d T o m a B a nj a ni n, r el e a s e d j u st t w o t r a c k s i n 2 0 1 6, “ S alt w at e r” a n d “ D o n’t T al k A b o ut Y o u.” B ot h t r a c k s a r e e x c ell e nt d r e a m p o p f a r e a n d i n st a ntl y c a u g ht o n wit h li st e n e r s. “[ W e] di d n’t h a v e m u c h e x p e ct ati o n a r o u n d w h at w o ul d h a p p e n,” s a y s B a nj a ni n. Aft e r si g ni n g wit h l a b el 3 7 A d v e nt u r e s a n d t h e i m m e di at e r e s p o n s e f r o m f a n s, it’ s s af e t o s a y t h e s o n g s mi g ht h a v e e x c e e d e d e x p e ct ati o n.

K e n d ri c k a n d B a nj a ni n h a v e b e e n f ri e n d s f o r m a n y y e a r s, s o t h ei r w riti n g i s hi g hl y c oll a b o r ati v e. A c c o r di n g t o t h e p ai r, it’ s v e r y r a r e t h at o n e m e m b e r h a s t h e f ull i d e a f o r a s o n g, t h e t w o i n st e a d w o r ki n g wit h e a c h ot h e r t o c r e at e t h e f ull e x p e ri e n c e.

“I’ m q uit e s p o r a di c wit h m y i d e a s, a n d s o m eti m e s t h e y d o n’t m a k e a l ot of s e n s e,” K e n d ri c k r e m a r k s wit h a l a u g h. “I

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f e el c o mf o rt a bl e e n o u g h t o s h o w [ T o m a] w h at I’ m t hi n ki n g a b o ut a t r a c k, a n d t h e n h e c a n el a b o r at e o n it a n d b uil d it.”

Of c o u r s e, t h e y d r a w o n p e r s o n al e x p e ri e n c e t o w rit e, a s w ell a s t h e e x p e ri e n c e of li vi n g i n a v a ri et y of di f e r e nt l o c ati o n s. A u st r ali a, G ot h e n b u r g i n S w e d e n, B e rli n, a n d L o n d o n h a v e all c all e d at l e a st o n e of t h e m e m b e r s of G e o w ulf r e si d e nt s at o n e p oi nt o r a n ot h e r. G oi n g f r o m a s m all t o w n i n A u st r ali a t o s o m e of t h e bi g g e st citi e s i n t h e w o rl d h a s d e i nit el y h a d a n i m p a ct o n t h e t w o. W hil e t h e y di d h a v e a rti sti c all y i n cli n e d f ri e n d s, t h e s m all t o w n i s ol ati o n w a s r e al.

“It i s a bit of a n a rti sti c b u b bl e.

Y o u’ r e s u r r o u n d e d wit h p e o pl e t h at a r e r e all y i n s ul at e d f r o m t h e r e st of t h e w o rl d,” B e nj a ni n st at e s. “ Y o u all li k e t h e s a m e a rti st s a n d n o o n e r e all y b r e a k s o ut of t h at.”

M u si c all y, t h e p ai r c r e at e s s o u n d s t h at f e el c o nt e m p o r a r y w hil e still r e a c hi n g i nt o t h e vi b e a n d s e n s ati o n of y e st e r y e a r. B e nj a ni n e x pl ai n s, “ W e d e i nit el y r ef e r e n c e d a l ot of ‘ 7 0 s a rti st s.

W e f e el w e w a nt e d t o h a v e a w a r m,

f a mili a r s o u n d.” T hi s i s e vi d e nt i n “ S alt w at e r,” a s o n g t h at b e a utif ull y e b b s a n d l o w s m u c h li k e it s n a m e. I n l y ri ci s m, t o o, t h e b a n d’ s s u bj e ct m att e r d o e s i n v ol v e a c e rt ai n m e a s u r e of l o o ki n g i nt o t h e r e a r- vi e w.

O n “ D o n’t T al k A b o ut Y o u,” K e n d ri c k si n g s of s o m e o n e l eft i n t h e p a st, b ut wit h t h e c a v e at “I still t hi n k a b o ut y o u all t h e ti m e.” O n t h e p r o c e s s of w riti n g t h e s o n g, K e n d ri c k r e m e m b e r s, “ T h e s o n g o ri gi n all y w e nt li k e, ‘I d o n’t t al k a b o ut y o u, I d o n’t t hi n k a b o ut y o u,’ a n d [ a f ell o w w rit e r] w a s li k e, ‘ W ell, it’ s a bit i r o ni c b e c a u s e y o u’ r e s a yi n g t h at w hil e t al ki n g a b o ut hi m.’” Fr o m t h e r e, t h e s o n g n at u r all y e v ol v e d i nt o t h e g r o o v y hit t h at w a s r el e a s e d i n N o v e m b e r of 2 0 1 6.

T h e b a n d i s n’t pl a n ni n g o n i dli n g d u ri n g 2 0 1 7 eit h e r. “ W e’ d li k e t o d o s o m e s h o w s a n d f e sti v al s a r o u n d L o n d o n a n d E u r o p e,” K e n d ri c k m u s e s, w hi c h s h o ul d t h rill o u r U. K. r e a d e r s. F a n s s h o ul d al s o l o o k f o r a p o s si bl e r e c o r d b ef o r e 2 0 1 7 c o m e s t o a cl o s e. “ W e’ r e p r ett y, p r ett y s oli d o n g etti n g a n al b u m t o g et h e r,” B e nj a ni n r e v e al s.

Wit h t w o st ell a r t r a c k s al r e a d y o ut, w e’ r e e x cit e d a b o ut t h e p o s si bilit y of a f ull al b u m. Wit h ti m e i n r e c o r di n g st u di o s o n t h e d o c k et, t h at al b u m i n t h e w o r k s, a n d m o r e s h o w s p o s si bl e t h r o u g h o ut t h e y e a r, G e o w ulf a r e p oi s e d t o b uil d o n “ S alt w at e r ” a n d “ D o n’t T hi n k A b o ut Y o u” t o b e c o m e t h e c a n’t mi s s d u o of t h e y e a r. S

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T HE N NO W B y B ri a n L e a k

ME WIT H O UT Y O U H O W W E FI R S T C A M E T O G E T H E R

A a r o n W ei s s: It f elt v e r y i nf o r m al a n d u n a m biti o u s, lit e r all y st a rti n g a s a s u p e r- h e a v y C h ri st m a s s o n g r e c o r d e d f o r a f ri e n d’ s si st e r a s a j o k e. It w a s m y i r st ti m e s c r e a mi n g i nt o a mi c r o p h o n e a n d I r e m e m b e r li ki n g h o w m y v oi c e s o u n d e d.

Mi k e W ei s s: A a r o n a n d Ri c ki e w e r e m a ki n g t hi s s c r e a m y s o rt of g ri n d c o r e E P wit h o u r f ri e n d a n d t h e y w a nt e d m e t o pl a y b a s s. W e t h o u g ht w e c o ul d ki c k t hi s littl e si d e p r oj e ct a r o u n d a n d m a y b e pl a y s o m e l o c al s h o w s. T h e r e c o r di n g s w e r e b o r d e rli n e u nli st e n a bl e b ut t h e r e w a s a n i d e a b r e wi n g wit h t h e l y ri c s A a r o n w a s w riti n g a n d t h e m a n y di f e r e nt di r e cti o n s w e c o ul d c h o o s e t o g o wit h it. At s o m e p oi nt w e a d d e d t h e n a m e m e wit h o ut Y o u t o it a n d g ot s o m e o p p o rt u niti e s t o pl a y t hi s a n d t h at h a r d c o r e s h o w.

O U R FI R S T P R A C TI C E S

2000 O RI GI N A L LI N E U P

A a r o n W ei s s (lead vocals, bass) Mi c h a el W ei s s (guitar) Ri c ki e M a z z ott a (dru ms) R a y T a d d e o (guitar, vocals) C h ri s Kl ei n b e r g (guitar)

M W: It w a s r e all y j u st m e a nt t o b e a w a y f o r u s t o l et o u r l a g l y a littl e bit a n d b e di f e r e nt i n a f u n w a y.

O U R FI R S T T O U RI N G V E HI C L E

A W: It w a s a D o d g e c o n v e r si o n v a n w e s h a r e d wit h a n ot h e r b a n d I w a s i n. It h a d a h ol e i n t h e l o o r w h e r e w e c o ul d l a y d o w n t o u ri n at e di r e ctl y o nt o t h e g r o u n d — o r, t o b e m o r e a c c u r at e, o nt o t h e U-j oi nt of t h e di f e r e nti al.

T h e U-j oi nt e v e nt u all y r u st e d o ut a n d t h e d ri v e s h aft d r o p p e d t o t h e g r o u n d m a ki n g a t e r ri bl e g ri n di n g s o u n d a n d w e s u s p e n d e d it f r o m a l e at h e r b elt w r a p p e d a r o u n d a j a r of p e a n ut b utt e r.

Ri c k M a z z ott a : W e w o ul d m e et i n m y p a r e nt s’ b a s e m e nt o n S u n d a y aft e r n o o n s. I t hi n k I w a s 1 9, s o n at u r all y e v e r yt hi n g s o u n d e d g o o d t o m e. I w a s m o r e st r u c k b y t h e f a ct t h at s o m e of t h e s e g u y s h a d g o o d g e a r a n d c o ul d a ct u all y pl a y t h ei r i n st r u m e nt s.

M W: T h at p o o r v a n w o ul d e n d u p b r o k e n d o w n p e r m a n e ntl y s o m e w h e r e i n W a s hi n gt o n st at e t w o y e a r s l at e r.

T h at g a v e w a y t o o u r p a s si o n f o r b u s c o n v e r si o n s.

M W: B a c k t h e n w e h a d t h e b e n efit of Ri c k’ s d a d c h e e ri n g u s o n f r o m u p st ai r s. W e’ d j a m a r o u n d s o rt of h alf j o ki n gl y s o m eti m e s a n d w h e n w e st o p p e d, M r. M a z z ott a w o ul d y ell a n e nt h u si a sti c “ Y e s!” W e’ d c r a c k u p b e c a u s e w e’ d k n o w it w a s j u st a j o k e, b ut h e w a s f e eli n g it, t h o u g h.

N O TI CI N G T H E T A K E - O F F

I NI TI A L S M A L L- D R E A M G O A L S

R M: T h e i niti al d r e a m of t h e b a n d w a s t o s o u n d li k e D ri v e Li k e J e h u. I d o n’t r e m e m b e r t h e r e b ei n g t h at m u c h vi si o n c a sti n g f o r o u r f ut u r e s a si d e f r o m t h at. [It] s h o ul d b e n ot e d t h at w e s o u n d e d n ot hi n g li k e D ri v e Li k e J e h u.

16

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A W: F u r n a c e F e st i n Bi r mi n g h a m, A L. It w a s still e a rl y i n o u r c a r e e r —I t hi n k b ef o r e o u r i r st al b u m — b ut t h e r e w a s a bi g c r o w d f o r o u r s et. I i g u r e d t h at i m pli e d t h at p e o pl e h a d st a rt e d t o h e a r of u s vi a w o r d of m o ut h.

R M: A r e al g a m e- c h a n g e r f o r u s w a s w h e n w e li n k e d u p wit h Bl a z e J a m e s.

H e h a d m a n a g e d At T h e D ri v e-I n a n d

TI M O W E N

w a s o n e of t h o s e g u y s t h at c o ul d m a k e t hi n g s h a p p e n. H e p ut u s o ut o n t h e r o a d wit h C o h e e d A n d C a m b ri a, t h e Bl o o d B r ot h e r s, a n d D r e d g. I r e m e m b e r b ei n g i nt o xi c at e d b y all t h e t hi n g s t h at w e r e h a p p e ni n g; it w a s li k e w at c hi n g a d r e a m c o m e t r u e.

M W: F o r m e, it [ w a s] aft e r w e r el e a s e d C at c h F o r U s T h e F o x e s a n d it s ol d s o m e c o pi e s it s i r st w e e k. W e g ot hit u p b y s e v e r al b o o ki n g a g e nt s a n d a p r e mi e r m a n a g e r t h e f oll o wi n g m o nt h. It f elt li k e w e s o rt of b r o k e i nt o a w o rl d t h at h a d n o r e al i nt e r e st i n u s f o r t h e e nti r e s p a n of t h e ( A B) Lif e c y cl e. I d o n’t k n o w if t h e r e h a s b e e n a m o r e e x p e di e nt g r o wt h f o r u s t h a n i n t h at ti m e.

L O O KI N G B A C K O N T H E FI R S T L P A W: I w a s m o stl y h a p p y wit h it. It w a s d o n e i n a bit of a h u r r y, s o t h e r e w e r e s o m e t hi n g s I f elt c o ul d’ v e b e e n i m p r o v e d, b ut f o r a i r st e f o rt I w a s p r o u d of h o w it t u r n e d o ut. L o o ki n g b a c k I’ m l e s s s ati s i e d wit h m y o w n c o nt ri b uti o n s, b ut still i m p r e s s e d b y t h e i n st r u m e nt ati o n, p r o d u cti o n, a n d vi s u al a rt w o r k.

R M: W h e n [it] c a m e o ut, I d o n’t t hi n k I c o ul d h a v e b e e n a n y p r o u d e r. I still l o v e t h at r e c o r d; it h a s a l o o s e n e s s t h at c a pt u r e s w h o w e w e r e a n d w h at w e w e r e p o rt r a yi n g.

M W: I r e m e m b e r li st e ni n g t o [it] i n m y c a r f e eli n g v e r y p r o u d of it, b ut n ot s u r e if a n y b o d y w a s g oi n g t o b e a bl e t o c o n n e ct wit h u s. It’ s c o ol t o h e a r w h at w e w e r e a bl e t o [ d o] gi v e n t h e l a c k of a ct u al e x p e ri e n c e.

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C U R R E N T LI N E U P A a r o n W ei s s (vocals) Mi c h a el W ei s s (guitar) Ri c ki e M a z z ott a (dru ms) B r a n d o n B e a v e r (guitar)

T O D A Y’ S M W Y S H O W S

A W: I u s e d t o t a k e e v e r y o p p o rt u nit y i n b et w e e n s o n g s t o p r e a c h m y i d e a s, e x pl ai n l y ri c m e a ni n g s, et c. O v e r ti m e I s e n s e d s o m e of t h e ot h e r g u y s w a nti n g t o k e e p o u r s et m o r e f o c u s e d o n t h e m u si c, s o I t ri e d t o k e e p q ui et. Al s o, I’ v e m o v e d a littl e bit t o w a r d p ri o riti zi n g t h e s o u n d o v e r t h e vi s u al, m o vi n g a r o u n d a littl e l e s s a n d c o n c e nt r ati n g m o r e o n v o c al p e rf o r m a n c e.

R M: I wi s h w e w e r e a s ti g ht b a c k i n t h e d a y a s w e a r e n o w a n d t h at w e w o ul d h a v e al w a y s t a k e n o ut o u r o w n s o u n d g u y. Pl a yi n g li v e m u si c i s a s kill t h at r e all y n e e d s t o b e d e v el o p e d. It t o o k m a n y y e a r s a n d a l ot of a n al y si s t o fi g u r e o ut h o w t o b e t h e b e st it c a n b e.

T H E S O N G W RI TI N G E V O L U TI O N

A W: T h e r e h a v e b e e n e b b s a n d l o w s — i n o u r att e m pt s t o e x p a n d o u r st yli sti c b o u n d a ri e s, w h o w rit e s w h at, h o w p e r s o n al a n d e x pli cit v s. all e g o ri c al t h e l y ri c s a r e. F o r m y p a rt, I’ v e t ri e d t o p u s h m y s elf t o c h a n g e w h at I’ m d oi n g v o c all y f r o m o n e al b u m t o t h e n e xt, a n d m o r e i m p o rt a ntl y (t o m e) t o h a v e n e w i d e a s o r p e r s p e cti v e s t h at t r y t o r e l e ct s o m e of t h e w a y s w e’ r e c h a n gi n g a s h u m a n b ei n g s.

R M: T h e s o n g w riti n g f o r o u r b a n d i s s u c h a l a b o r i nt e n si v e p r o c e s s. S o

m u c h c o n si d e r ati o n g o e s i nt o e v e r y si n gl e p a rt t h at i s b ei n g w ritt e n a n d r e c o r d e d, a n d at ti m e s it’ s a t o u g h t hi n g t o b e a p a rt of. W e d o n’t h a v e a t r a diti o n al s o n g w rit e r p e r s e s o it all o w s f o r e v e r y o n e t o h a v e a pi e c e i n t h e e x p r e s si o n. T h e w a y w e a p p r o a c h c r e ati n g m u si c h a s b e e n u n c h a n g e d, i n m y mi n d at l e a st, f o r t h e l a st 1 5 y e a r s.

M W: I t hi n k I’ v e b e e n a bl e t o u s e a l ot of e x p eri e n c e a n d i n s pir ati o n t h at t h e y e ar s h a v e pr o vi d e d m e wit h t o p u s h t hi n g s j u st f or w ar d e n o u g h t o a d d q u alit y wit h o ut pi v oti n g t o o m u c h a w a y fr o m w h at I b eli e v e t o b e o ur c or e s o u n d. I’ v e l e ar n e d s o m u c h a b o ut w h at w or k s f or u s a n d w h at di d n’t a n d h o w t o t a k e t h e p o siti v e s a n d s al v a g e r e al pr o gr e s s.

I F GI V E N A S E C O N D C H A N C E

A W: I s o m eti m e s r e g r et p o siti o ni n g m y s elf, o v e rtl y o r ot h e r wi s e, a s s o m e o n e wit h a n y ki n d of i n si g ht i nt o s pi rit u al i s s u e s. It’ s p r ett y oft e n p e o pl e a p p r o a c h m e wit h w h at s e e m s li k e a w h ol e h o st of e x p e ct ati o n s c o n c e r ni n g w h at I b eli e v e o r u n d e r st a n d a b o ut r eli gi o u s c o n c e pt s, a n d it c a n b e t a xi n g t o d e l e ct t h o s e e x p e ct ati o n s.

R M: M y o nl y r e g r et i s h o w It’ s All C r a z y! w a s w ritt e n a n d r e c o r d e d. I d o n’t k n o w w h at I p e r s o n all y c o ul d h a v e d o n e diff e r e ntl y gi v e n w h o I w a s a n d w h e r e I w a s at i n lif e; I f elt li k e a g h o st i n t h e r o o m j u st g oi n g al o n g wit h w h at e v e r w a s h a p p e ni n g. I d o n’t f e el li k e t h at al b u m r e p r e s e nt s m e a s a m u si ci a n. I d o n ot f e el c o n n e ct e d t o

it a n d l o o ki n g b a c k, it m a k e s m e f e el s a d. I w o n d e r w h at t h e s o n g s w o ul d b e li k e if t h e y w e r e w ritt e n t o d a y. Of c o u r s e, t h e r e a r e p r o b a bl y l ot s of ot h e r p e r s o n al r e g r et s li k e i nt e r- b a n d r el ati o n s a n d n ot t a ki n g c e rt ai n t o u r s b ut t h at r e c o r d r e all y sti c k s o ut i n m y mi n d a s s o m et hi n g I wi s h I c o ul d d o o v e r.

M W: [I’ d m a y b e h a v e d o n e It’ s All C r a z y!] a littl e di f e r e ntl y.

It c o ul d h a v e b e e n a p r ett y bi g t u r ni n g p oi nt f o r u s at t h e ti m e h a d w e b e e n a bl e t o g et o ut of o u r o w n h e a d s a bit a n d m a d e a r e c o r d o u r f a n s c o ul d g et i nt o.

T H E C U R R E N T D Y N A MI C

A W: I n g e n e r al I’ d s a y o u r r el ati o n s hi p s a n d a bilit y t o c o m m u ni c at e h a v e i m p r o v e d d r a m ati c all y. W e p r o b a bl y d o n’t s p e n d a s m u c h ti m e t o g et h e r a s w e u s e d t o, b ut t h at’ s l a r g el y b e c a u s e w e h a v e ot h e r p r oj e ct s, r e s p o n si biliti e s, et c. A s w e’ v e all g ott e n m a r ri e d — s o m e of u s h a v e ki d s — w e a g r e e t h at o u r f a mili e s s h o ul d al w a y s t a k e p r e c e d e n c e o v e r t h e b a n d. O u r d e ci si o n s — w h et h e r t o t a k e a gi v e n t o u r, h o w m u c h ti m e a n d e n e r g y t o p ut i nt o t h e b a n d — h a v e t o m a k e s e n s e wit hi n t h e c o nt e xt of o u r f a mil y li v e s.

R M: W h e n w e a r e n’t t o u ri n g, w e a r e all p r ett y s e p a r at e, u nl e s s w riti n g, p r a cti ci n g, o r t h e o c c a si o n al s o ci al f u n cti o n.

E v e r y o n e h a s t h ei r o w n c o r n e r of P hill y a n d i s j u st d oi n g t h e b e st t h e y c a n wit h w h at t h e y’ v e g ot. O n t o u r, w e a r e all b a si c all y m a r ri e d t o e a c h ot h e r, s plitti n g d e ci si o n s, f e eli n g t h e p ai n, e x p e ri e n ci n g t h e j o y, a n d h a vi n g t o c o nti n u all y c o m p r o mi s e.

T H E F U T U R E F O R M E WI T H O U T Y O U

A W: I d o n’t t e n d t o t hi n k t o o f a r i nt o t h e f ut u r e. A s f o r w h at’ s l eft t o a c c o m pli s h, o b vi o u sl y w e c o ul d al w a y s a s pi r e t o m o r e c o m m e r ci al s u c c e s s, b ut I d o n’t a nti ci p at e a n y d r a sti c g r o wt h i n t h at r e s p e ct. I d o h o p e w e c o nti n u e t o g r o w a s h u m a n b ei n g s, l e a r ni n g t o b ett e r u n d e r st a n d a n d c a r e f o r o n e a n ot h e r, et c. A n d of c o u r s e w e’ d li k e t o k e e p w riti n g m u si c a n d l y ri c s t h at f e el si n c e r e a n d p r o v o c ati v e.

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T h e r e a r e pl e nt y of r a di o st ati o n s o ut t h e r e pl a yi n g g r e at m u si c. O n e of t h e t hi n g s t h at s et s R a di o U a p a rt f r o m t h e r e st of t h e m, t h o u g h, i s t h at w e d o n’t di s c ri mi n at e a g ai n st b a n d s.

Si g n e d o r n ot, w e o nl y h a v e o n e q u ali i c ati o n: t h e m u si c

g et s f a mili a r wit h

F ai nt h e a rt

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[ S U B S T R E A MM A G A ZI N E. C O M ]

h a s t o s o u n d a m a zi n g. A b a n d w e t hi n k y o u’ll b e h e a ri n g m o r e a b o ut t hi s y e a r i s F ai nt h e a rt. T h e y’ r e a n e w g r o u p f r o m K a n s a s t h at w e j u st a d d e d t o o u r pl a yli st. R e c e ntl y w e s at d o w n wit h J e r e m y Cli n e, t h ei r l e a d si n g e r.

W h e r e di d F ai nt h e a rt g et it s st a rt ?

J E R E M Y C LI N E: W e w e r e all i n a di f e r e nt b a n d, a n d li k e a n y s m all w o r ki n g b a n d, w e a r e o n o u r t hi r d v a n i n t h r e e y e a r s. L a st y e a r w e w e r e pl a yi n g a n d a s w e w e r e d ri vi n g it st a rt e d s n o wi n g. It w a s a n ol d v a n w h e r e t h e e n gi n e ki n d of sit s d o w n i n t h e mi d dl e. I w a s d ri vi n g wit h t hi s bl a n k et o n b e c a u s e t h e r e w a s a t e r ri bl e d r aft c o mi n g i n f r o m t h e g a s p e d al, b ut t h e g u y s w e r e i n t h e b a c k w h e r e t h e e n gi n e w a s, sitti n g i n t h ei r t- s hi rt s b e c a u s e it w a s s o h ot [ b a c k t h e r e]. I’ m f r e e zi n g, e v e r y b o d y el s e i s h ot. T h e v a n b r o k e d o w n. It w a s a t u r ni n g p oi nt.

W e w e r e w riti n g st u f a n d s ai d, “It d o e s n’t m a k e s e n s e f o r u s t o r el e a s e t h e st u f t h at w e’ v e b e e n w riti n g u n d e r o u r c u r r e nt n a m e.” At o n e p oi nt i n ti m e, t h e b a n d w e w e r e i n, w e w e r e w riti n g c o u nt r y s o n g s a n d w e d e ci d e d w e j u st c o ul d n’t d o t h at. If w e r el e a s e w h at w e’ r e w riti n g n o w, it’ s li k e … t h at’ s t h e s a m e b a n d t h at r el e a s e d all t h at c o u nt r y m u si c. It w o ul d n’t m a k e a n y s e n s e.

S o y o u d e ci d e d it w a s ti m e f o r a c h a n g e a n d t h at c h a n g e b e c a m e F ai nt h e a rt.

W h er e d o y o u g o fr o m t h er e ?

W e h a d a l ot i n v e st e d i n t h at ot h e r b a n d, b ut o u r a p p r o a c h t o it w a s t h at o u r f a n s a r e i n v e st e d i n u s a s p e o pl e m o r e t h a n t h e b a n d. W e t h o u g ht p e o pl e w o ul d b e u n d e r st a n di n g. S o f a r t h e y h a v e b e e n. T h e r e s p o n s e h a s b e e n g r e at. W e st a rt e d r e c o r di n g s o m e s o n g s a n d d e ci d e d t o j u st r el e a s e t h e m.

W e l et e v e r y b o d y k n o w t h e ot h e r b a n d h a d b e e n p ut o ut t o p a st u r e, a n d h e r e y o u g o: n e w m u si c! T h e bi g t hi n g t h at w e a r e f o c u s e d o n ri g ht n o w i s w riti n g g o o d c o nt e nt. I k n o w t h at s e e m s ki n d of o b vi o u s b ut it’ s i m p o rt a nt.

W h at d o e s “ g o o d c o nt e nt ” m e a n t o y o u ?

I j u st t hi n k a b o ut h o w m u c h m u si c h a s i m p a ct e d p e o pl e’ s li v e s. T h e r e a r e ti m e s i n y o u r lif e w h e n y o u’ r e li st e ni n g t o a s o n g a n d it e x pl ai n s h o w y o u’ r e f e eli n g b ett e r t h a n y o u c a n. It’ s t h e ki n d of s o n g t h at y o u d ri v e h o m e [li st e ni n g t o] a n d h a v e t o st a y i n t h e d ri v e w a y u ntil t h e s o n g i s o v e r. T h e r a w n e s s a n d a ut h e nti cit y of t h at ki n d of m u si c. I j u st r e a d a b o o k of p o et r y c all e d Mil k A n d H o n e y a n d o n e of t h e l a st t hi n g s i n t h e b o o k w a s a s e cti o n a b o ut c r e ati n g a rt f o r y o u r s elf a n d f o r y o u r e x p r e s si o n

a n d n ot e x c h a n gi n g r el at a bilit y f o r a ut h e nti cit y. F o r u s, t h e s e a r e j u st s o n g s t h at w e a r e f e eli n g.

W h at a r e y o u f e eli n g ri g ht n o w t h at i s m a ki n g it s w a y i nt o t h e s e s o n g s ?

W e li v e w e st of K a n s a s Cit y i n M a n h att a n, K a n s a s a n d it’ s a v e r y t r a n sit o r y cit y. T h e r e i s a c oll e g e a n d a milit a r y b a s e s o t h e r e a r e al w a y s n e w p e o pl e c o mi n g i n a n d ol d p e o pl e m o vi n g o ut. N ot l o n g a g o, w e w e r e d oi n g s c h o ol f ull ti m e, w o r k f ull ti m e, a n d d oi n g t h e b a n d f ull ti m e. N o w t h at w e’ v e g r a d u at e d w e d o n’t k n o w w h e r e t o g o.

Y o u g r a d u at e a n d y o u f oll o w al o n g t h at p at h of g etti n g a j o b a n d w e j u st f o u n d o u r s el v e s w a nti n g a littl e m o r e t h a n t h at. W e ki n d of di d t h e t hi n g s t h at p e o pl e t ol d u s t o b e h a p p y.

I t hi n k t h at’ s w o rt h w hil e a n d I t hi n k it c a n b e f r uitf ul, b ut I t hi n k e v e r y o n e f e el s t h at w ei r d h e sit ati o n a b o ut lif e.

It’ s li k e t h at p oi nt w h e r e y o u r e ali z e t h at y o u r p a r e nt s w e r e o n c e y o u r a g e a n d y o u r p a r e nt s h a d f ri e n d s t h at w e r e y o u r a g e. Y o u h a d t hi s i d e a t h at t h e y al w a y s k n e w w h at w a s g oi n g o n a n d w e r e t ot all y i n c o nt r ol a n d y o u r e ali z e t h at’ s n ot t r u e.

Y e a h, t h e y w e r e m a ki n g it u p a s t h e y w e nt al o n g.

E x a ctl y. Y o u r e ali z e a l ot of u s d o n’t k n o w w h at’ s g oi n g o n a n d t h e r e’ s a l ot of s oli d a rit y i n t h at. A n d t h at’ s j u st ki n d of h o w w e f e el ri g ht n o w. T h e w o rl d i s ki n d of a c r a z y pl a c e. I’ m s u r e e v e r y g e n e r ati o n h a s b e e n s a yi n g t h at si n c e f o r e v e r. I t hi n k m y f a v o rit e t hi n g ri g ht n o w i s “ Mill e n ni al” b a s hi n g. Y o u s e e it o nli n e. It’ s hil a ri o u s. A n y p r o bl e m i n t h e w o rl d c a n b e att ri b ut e d t o h o w t e r ri bl e “ Mill e n ni al s” a r e a n d I f e el t hi s w ei r d e m p at h y b e c a u s e I c a n o nl y i m a gi n e w h at t h ei r p a r e nt s w e r e s a yi n g a b o ut t h ei r g e n e r ati o n.

H o w d o y o u r oll all of t hi s a ut h e nti cit y a n d t h o u g ht s i nt o y o u r m u si c ?

I’ m s u r e t h at e v e r y m e m b e r of o u r b a n d w o ul d a n s w e r t hi s q u e sti o n a littl e di f e r e ntl y, b ut f o r m e t h e a n s w e r i s d e i nit el y i n t h e l y ri c al c o nt e nt.

R e c e ntl y — r e all y r e c e ntl y — I’ v e j u st b e e n r e a di n g m o r e p o et r y a n d p r o s e; t h e w a y y o u a r e a bl e t o s a y s o m u c h i n s o f e w w o r d s. Y o u c a n j u st e v o k e s u c h f e eli n g s i n t w o s e nt e n c e s. R e a di n g

Mil k A n d H o n e y , I r e a d t w o li n e s a n d j u st h a d t o p ut t h e b o o k d o w n. I t hi n k w h at e v e r y o u r m e di u m i s, if y o u c a n l e a v e p e o pl e sitti n g t h e r e [ h a vi n g] t o c h e w o n it a n d h a vi n g m ulti pl e l a y e r s... t h at’ s a m a r k of g o o d c o nt e nt. It’ s a m a r k of ti m el e s s n e s s.

S o w e’ v e t al k e d p hil o s o p h y, l et’ s g et i nt o t h e p r a cti c al si d e. Y o u h a v e b e e n i n t h e st u di o w o r ki n g o n n e w m u si c: W h at a r e y o u r pl a n s f o r t hi s y e a r ?

T h e pl a n i s t h at w e’ v e i ni s h e d u p o n e i n al s o n g a n d w e ar e g oi n g t o p a c k a g e it u p a s a di git al E P. W e ar e ri g ht n o w writi n g a f ull-l e n gt h. A c o u pl e of s o n g s ar e d o n e. T h at i s a br a n d n e w c h all e n g e f or u s. W e’ v e n e v er s at d o w n t o writ e a f ull-l e n gt h or s o m et hi n g t h at i s all t h e m ati c all y si mil ar. N ot a c o n c e pt al b u m, b ut j u st tr yi n g t o k e e p i n t h at s a m e h e a d s p a c e.

A r e y o u g u y s t o u ri n g t hi s y e a r ?

T h e l a n d s c a p e i s c h a n gi n g s o m u c h. T h e r e w a s o n e y e a r i n o u r p r e vi o u s b a n d t h at w e pl a y e d 8 0 s h o w s w hil e w o r ki n g f ull ti m e a n d b ei n g i n s c h o ol f ull ti m e. It w a s c r a z y. It w a s f r uitf ul i n a s e n s e, b ut i n hi n d si g ht I j u st d o n’t k n o w if g oi n g o ut a n d pl a yi n g a b u n c h of s h o w s … W e c o ul d b o o k a b u n c h of s h o w s b ut I d o n’t k n o w if it w o ul d b e t h e b e st u s e of o u r ti m e. B e c a u s e, h o w d o y o u r e a c h p ot e nti al p e o pl e ? It’ s h a r d t o g et p e o pl e t o c o m e s p e n d m o n e y o n a n a rti st t h e y d o n’t k n o w. T h e r e a r e a f e w g o o d s o ul s o ut t h e r e t h at w o ul d d o it.

W e a r e t r yi n g t o f o c u s o n c o nt e nt i r st. It’ s li k e a b u si n e s s t h at h a s a l o g o a n d st a f b ut t h ei r p r o d u ct i s n’t r e a d y, o r h a vi n g a n a rt g all e r y w h e r e y o u r a rt i s n’t r e all y r e a d y.

S o t o u r i s s o m et hi n g y o u d o n’t w a nt t o d o u ntil y o u g et a f ull-l e n gt h al b u m ?

T h at’ s d e i nit el y t h e pl a n, b ut w h o k n o w s w h at c o m e s al o n g ? W e c a n a dj u st a c c o r di n gl y. W e a r e p r o u d of t h e s o n g s w e h a v e r el e a s e d, b ut o u r t h o u g ht i s t h at w e w a nt t o gi v e p e o pl e s o m et hi n g t h at s a y s, “ T hi s i s F ai nt h e a rt. T hi s i s w h at y o u c a n e x p e ct.” W e h o p e w e c a n d o t h at wit h t h e E P a n d t a g a f ull-l e n gt h o n t o t h at. H o p ef ull y s o m e o n e’ s a p p etit e will b e i nt ri g u e d a n d t h e y c a n f oll o w al o n g wit h t h at.

W h e n y o u a r e n’t w o r ki n g o n t h e b a n d, w h at d o y o u d o ?

Li k e a n y w o r ki n g b a n d s w e all h a v e si d e j o b s. I a m f ull ti m e at a c o f e e h o u s e. I’ m a b a ri st a b ut I al s o d o all of t h e m a r k eti n g, b r a n di n g, a n d p h ot o g r a p h y. I al s o d o t h at f r e el a n c e a n d h a v e cli e nt s t h at I w o r k wit h o n w e b d e si g n. I al s o d o e v e r yt hi n g f o r t h e b a n d. W e t r y t o k e e p it DI Y. L ot s of p e o pl e mi g ht r e a d t hi s w h o h a v e n e v e r e n c o u nt e r e d F ai nt h e a rt. W h y s h o ul d t h e y gi v e y o u r b a n d a c h a n c e ?

I t hi n k I c a n s p e a k f o r m o st b a n d s w h e n I s a y t h at b a n d bi o s a r e t h e h a r d e st t hi n g s t o w rit e. Y o u d o n’t w a nt t o b r a g a b o ut y o u r s elf. F ai nt h e a rt j u st p ut s t h ei r h e a rt i nt o it. M y g o al ri g ht n o w i s t o c r e at e a rt t h at ot h e r s c a n r el at e t o a n d l at c h o n t o, a n d n o m att e r w h at t h e y’ r e st r u g gli n g wit h it c a n h el p t h e m t h r o u g h t h at. T h e r e i s a h a n df ul of al b u m s a n d s o n g s t h at at di f e r e nt ti m e s i n m y lif e h a v e m e a nt s o m u c h t o m e a n d t h at’ s w h at w e’ r e t r yi n g t o s h o ot f o r. S

[

S U B S T R E A M M A G A ZI N E //

S U B S T R E A M]

19

B O O KI N G T H E T A L E N T, FI L LI N G T H E V E N U E wit h W e b st e r H all V P

I N T E R VI E W: H e at h e r Gl o c k / / P H O T O: M att h e w L y o n s

W e b st e r H all i s a b el o v e d v e n u e i n N e w Y o r k Cit y, wit h a hi st o ri c al st a n di n g of 1 3 0 y e a r s. N u m e r o u s f a c e s h a v e ilt e r e d it s h all w a y s — s o m e f a m o u s, s o m e cli m bi n g t h e l a d d e r, a n d t h o s e w h o c o m e o nl y f o r t h e gl o r y of l o si n g t h ei r s o ul s wit hi n t h e t h r o e s of m u si c. I n 2 0 1 4, t h e v e n u e b r o k e a w a y f r o m t h ei r b o o ki n g c o nt r a ct wit h B o w e r y P r e s e nt s, d e ci di n g t o g o DI Y t o o bt ai n n e w f a c e s, b ot h wit h f a n s a n d a rti st s.

H e at h Mill e r w a s t h e m a n w h o w a s a p p oi nt e d t hi s d a u nti n g t a s k, a n d i n st e a d of b ei n g o v e r w h el m e d wit h t h e n oti o n t h at h e w a s r e s p o n si bl e f o r k e e pi n g t h e e st a bli s h m e nt a l o at, h e s pi n- ki c k e d t h e v e n u e t o n ot o ri et y wit h a n o mi n ati o n f o r b e st ni g ht cl u b b y P oll st a r a n d a r e s p e ct a bl e i n c r e a s e i n b o o ki n g s a n d att e n d a n c e.

W e s at d o w n wit h Mill e r t o di s c u s s t h e n a vi g ati o n of t h e p u z zl e pi e c e s t h at t a k e t h e r e s p e ct e d e st a bli s h m e nt f r o m a c r o w df a v o r a bl e v e n u e i nt o a m u si c h a v e n.

20

[ S U B S T R E A MM A G A ZI N E. C O M ]

W e b st e r H all t a s k e d y o u wit h q uit e t h e i n l u x of ti c k et s al e di st ri b uti o n wit h t h e e x pi r ati o n of t h e v e n u e’ s c o nt r a ct wit h B o w e r y P r e s e nt s. H o w h a s t h e ri d e b e e n t h u s f a r ?

H E A T H MI L L E R: I t h o u g ht it w a s g oi n g t o b e a n i niti al st r u g gl e. E v e n t h o u g h it still w a s a c h all e n g e, it w o u n d u p h a vi n g a b ett e r o ut c o m e t h a n I e x p e ct e d. Wit h B o w e r y, w e p e a k e d at 1 0 8 s h o w s a y e a r a n d I t h o u g ht t h at i r st y e a r o n o u r o w n, w e w o ul d d r o p t o a b o ut 8 5 s h o w s. T h at’ s w h at I t ol d e v e r y o n e t o s et t h ei r r e ali sti c e x p e ct ati o n s t o, [ b ut] w e a ct u all y e x c e e d e d t h at t o w h e r e w e b o o k e d a b o ut 1 3 0 s h o w s!

I c a n’t i m a gi n e t h e f e eli n g s of b ot h p ri d e a n d g r atit u d e wit h s e ei n g y o u r a c c o m pli s h m e nt l o u ri s h s o q ui c kl y.

It w a s g r e at, b ut I a m n ot a n a r m y of o n e. W e h a v e a g r e at t e a m a n d it h a s b e e n a g r o u p eff o rt b et w e e n p utti n g t o g et h e r p u z zl e pi e c e s of t h e m ai n r o o m, M a rli n R o o m, a n d T h e St u di o.

W e h a d t o t a k e i n eff e ct wit h n ot c o m p eti n g wit h o u r s el v e s. I n ot h e r w o r d s, w e c a n’t b o o k t w o a ct s of t h e s a m e g e n r e, a n d t h e n b o o k a q ui et a c o u sti c s h o w n e xt t o a l o u d m et al s h o w i n T h e G r a n d B all r o o m. [ L a u g h s .]

N o w t h at w e b o o k i n- h o u s e, w e a r e m o r e c o g ni z a nt of g e n r e s. It d o e s g et h a r d s o m eti m e s [ w h e n] I will w a nt t o b o o k a n a rti st f o r a r o o m at a c e rt ai n ti m e, b ut if t h e b o o mi n g b a s s of T h e M a rli n R o o m will c o nfli ct wit h t h e q ui et a c o u sti c s i n T h e St u di o, I c a n n ot l et it h a p p e n. I r e all y h a v e t o l o o k at it li k e a bi g T et ri s p u z zl e.

I c a n s e e t h at a s y o u h a v e t h r e e di f e r e nt w o rl d s c olli di n g i nt o o n e pl a c e.

It’ s c r a zi e st o n t h e w e e k e n d s. Aft e r s h o w s, w e d o t h e cl u b ni g ht s. T h e cl a s hi n g of t h e w o rl d s t y pi c all y g et al o n g. Y o u t hi n k a b o ut h o w t h e r e u s e d t o b e t h e W a r p e d T o u r w o rl d c r o s si n g o v e r i nt o t h e el e ct r o ni c w o rl d. I m e a n, t h e b e st e x a m pl e w o ul d b e S k rill e x; w e’ v e h a d hi m h e r e n u m e r o u s ti m e s.

I r e m e m b e r s e ei n g Fr o m Fi r st T o L a st t o u ri n g wit h B o y s Ni g ht O ut, E m e r y, a n d

H e at h Mill e r

G y m Cl a s s H e r o e s [ a n d] s e ei n g S o n n y [ M o o r e] c r u s hi n g it i n s u c h a w a y t h at I di sti n ctl y t h o u g ht t h at I w a s n’t s u r e if F F T L w o ul d b e t h e p r oj e ct t o g et hi m s o m e pl a c e, b ut t hi s ki d i s cl e a rl y g oi n g t o m att e r. S o m eti m e s y o u s e e p e o pl e li k e t h at a n d y o u s e e t h at t h e y h a v e t h at s p a r k a n d t h at d ri v e —t h at t h e y will i g u r e it o ut o n e w a y o r a n ot h e r.

W h at d o y o u l o o k f o r i n a rti st s ?

W h at m a k e s y o u g o, “I n e e d t h e m t o pl a y h e r e ” ?

Y o u h a v e t o l o o k at a f e w di f e r e nt el e m e nt s. O n e t hi n g i n p a rti c ul a r: D o e s t h ei r hit s o n g h a v e f a n s, o r d o e s t h e b a n d h a v e f a n s ? If t h e y h a v e f a n s of t h at s o n g b ut h a v e ot h e r g o o d s o n g s, y o u h a v e t o s e e h o w y o u c a n m a r k et t h at o n e hit wit h t h ei r ot h e r g r e at, n ots o- w ell- k n o w n s o n g s w hil e t h e y a r e pl a yi n g a s h o w. T h e s o ci al a s p e ct s a r e i m p o rt a nt a s w ell, a s n o o n e i s a b ett e r m e s s e n g e r t o t h ei r f a n s t h a n t h e b a n d it s elf. S o, I d o l o o k at t h ei r s o ci al m e di a u s a g e a s a n i m p o rt a nt k e y el e m e nt.

H o w d o y o u d et e r mi n e w h at a ct will p ull i n s al e s a n d w h at c a n b e m a r k et a bl e t o t h e v e n u e’ s b e n e it ?

O n e t hi n g I d o l o o k at i s t h ei r d ri v e wit hi n t h e m s el v e s, a s w ell a s t h e af o r e m e nti o n e d “ hit” dil e m m a.

S o m eti m e s, if I a m b o o ki n g a s h o w f o r A p ril a n d t h e n t h e y h a v e a n al b u m r el e a s e i n F e b r u a r y, a n d b ef o r e t h e y c o m e h e r e t h e y a r e pl a yi n g S o ut h B y S o ut h w e st, w h at will b e t h e r e a cti o n t h at will eit h e r c at a p ult t h e m o r d r a g t h e m d o w n ? If I l o o k at t h ei r n e w al b u m, I h a v e t o d et e r mi n e if t h e r e i s t h e p o s si bilit y t h at t h e r e s p o n s e of t h at r e c o r d will bl o w t h e m f r o m t h e M a rli n R o o m t o t h e B all r o o m. Y o u c a n n ot p r e di ct w h at will h a p p e n, a n d y o u d o g et s h o w s t h at w e r e e x p e ct e d t o d o w ell a n d t h e n d o n’t a n d t h e n t h e r e a r e t h o s e s u r p ri si n g s h o w s t h at w e r e t h o u g ht t o d o O K, b ut t h e n wi n d u p d oi n g b ett e r. S

I m p o rt a nt A cti o n s f o r L G B T + a n d Alli e s A U T H O R: K ri st o n M c C o n n ell, p u n k o ut. o r g

SPE A K O UT:

If y o u wit n e s s di s c ri mi n ati o n, s a y s o m et hi n g.

U s e y o u r b e st j u d g m e nt, a n d if y o u a r e n ot i n a sit u ati o n w h e r e y o u will b e p utti n g y o u r s elf at ri s k, d o n’t h e sit at e t o t a k e a cti o n.

C all 9 1 1 if y o u wit n e s s a h at e c ri m e — a n y h at e c ri m e. W h e n it c o m e s t o p oliti c s, if y o u h e a r a b o ut a bill t h at ai m s t o st ri p a w a y L G B T + p r ot e cti o n s ( o r p r ot e cti o n s of a n y ot h e r g r o u p), r e a c h o ut t o y o u r r e p r e s e nt ati v e t o t ell t h e m h o w y o u f e el. D o n ot e m ail. D o n ot m ail a l ett e r. C all t h e m . T h e y a r e t h e r e t o r e p r e s e nt y o u — y o u j u st n e e d t o t ell t h e m w h at y o u w a nt. It’ s e a s y t o b e c o m e di sill u si o n e d wit h t h e e nti r e s y st e m, a n d h a vi n g a s e n s e of s k e pti ci s m i s h e alt h y. H o w e v e r, a p at h y i s n ot t h e a n s w e r.

A p at h y g ot u s h e r e .

R E S E A R C H:

I n a n a g e w h e r e t h e w o rl d’ s i nf o r m ati o n i s a v ail a bl e at o u r i n g e rti p s, w e s e e m t o b e a s di s c o n n e ct e d f r o m t h e t r ut h a s e v e r. F a k e n e w s, r a m p a nt u n c h e c k e d c o n s pi r a c y t h e o ri e s, a n d a nti- s ci e n c e r h et o ri c h a v e o o z e d t h ei r w a y i nt o t h e m ai n st r e a m.

W h e n di s s e mi n at e d t h r o u g h s o ci al m e di a, f al s e h o o d s s u d d e nl y b e c o m e t h e t r ut h, a n d o bj e cti v e f a ct s b e c o m e o pi ni o n s. T hi s i s a n i n si di o u s p h e n o m e n o n t h at will n ot di s a p p e a r a n y ti m e s o o n. W e n e e d t o l e a r n h o w t o o v e r c o m e it. T a k e e v e r yt hi n g y o u r e a d a n d h e a r wit h a g r ai n of s alt a n d r e s e a r c h it f o r y o u r s elf . D o n’t r el y o n o n esi d e d n e w s o r g a ni z ati o n s t o p r o vi d e y o u wit h all of t h e i nf o r m ati o n y o u n e e d t o k n o w. Y o u m a y li k e r e a di n g O c c u p y D e m o c r at s , b ut t h e y a r e n ot o bj e cti v e.

T A K E A C TI O N:

A r e y o u di s a p p oi nt e d wit h t h e st at e of y o u r n ei g h b o r h o o d, cit y, o r st at e ?

D o s o m et hi n g a b o ut it . D o n at e m o n e y t o a l o c al c h a rit y. If y o u d o n’t h a v e t h e m e a n s t o d o n at e, t h e n v ol u nt e e r. If y o u d o n’t h a v e ti m e, t h e n b e a s o u n di n g b o a r d. Att e n d r alli e s, p oliti c al e v e nt s, a n d p u bli c f o r u m s — e v e r y s m all g e st u r e c a n m a k e a di f e r e n c e. W at c h t h e l o c al n e w s t o s e e w h at’ s g oi n g o n l o c all y. W hil e n ati o n al a n d e v e n gl o b al p oliti c s a r e i n c r e di bl y i m p o rt a nt, l o c al p oliti c s a r e j u st a s i m p o rt a nt.

W e n e e d t o b e a w a r e of w h at o u r l o c al r e p r e s e nt ati v e s a r e u p t o s o t h at w e c a n h ol d t h e m a c c o u nt a bl e. All of y o u r l o c al p oliti ci a n s’ c o nt a ct i nf o r m ati o n i s r e a dil y a v ail a bl e o nli n e.

SUPPORT

O N E A N O T H E R : S o m eti m e s y o u r f ri e n d s will n e e d a s h o ul d e r t o c r y o n, o r a f ri e n d t o c o n i d e i n. Tr y a n d b e t h at f ri e n d. E v e n wit h p e o pl e y o u mi g ht n ot k n o w w ell —it d o e s n’t h u rt t o b e a ki n d p e r s o n. W e all h a v e o u r st r u g gl e s, a n d s o m eti m e s w e j u st n e e d s o m e e m p at h y.

B ei n g t h at f ri e n dl y f a c e, t h at s h o ul d e r, o r t h at e a r c a n r e all y h el p s o m e o n e t h r o u g h a di i c ult ti m e. It m a y e v e n h el p y o u a s w ell.

LI S T E N:

It’ s e a s y t o w a nt t o a r g u e a n d t ell s o m e o n e w h y t h e y a r e w r o n g. It’ s m u c h m o r e di i c ult t o li st e n t o t h ei r p e r s p e cti v e.

A s ki n g t h e m q u e sti o n s, a n d t h e r ef o r e m a ki n g t h e m r e l e ct o n t h ei r o w n b eli ef s, i s a g r e at w a y t o h el p o p e n t h ei r mi n d t o a n e w p e r s p e cti v e. C h a n gi n g o n e’ s p e r s p e cti v e i s a sl o w, a r d u o u s p r o c e s s. H o w e v e r, q u e sti o ni n g t h ei r p e r s p e cti v e a n d a s ki n g t h e m w h y t h e y h ol d c e rt ai n b eli ef s c a n h el p y o u g ui d e t h e m t o a pl a c e of u n d e r st a n di n g, a n d c a n b ett e r y o u r u n d e r st a n di n g s a s w ell. D o n’t b e a c c u s at o r y, t h o u g h —t h at will o nl y c a u s e t h e m t o b e c o m e d ef e n si v e a n d d o u bl e d o w n o n t h ei r st a n c e s. T h e b e st w a y t o “ wi n” a d e b at e, o r g et s o m e o n e t o s e e y o u r si d e of t hi n g s, i s t o a v oi d a r g ui n g wit h t h e m.

Li st e n t o t h e m. A s k t h e m q u e sti o n s. C h a n g e t h ei r h e a rt s. T hi n g s m a y f e el a s di vi d e d a s e v e r, b ut t o g et h e r w e c a n still m a k e a di f e r e n c e. S

It’ s 2 0 1 7, a n d A m e ri c a n s a r e e nt e ri n g a n e r a of p oliti c al u n c e rt ai nt y. If w e’ r e b ei n g r e ali sti c, s o i s t h e r e st of t h e w o rl d. W h et h e r w e li k e it o r n ot, p oliti c s wit hi n t h e U nit e d St at e s h a v e a ri p pli n g e f e ct w hi c h i m p a ct s e v e r y ot h e r n ati o n. W e a r e a w o rl d l e a d e r a n d o u r a cti o n s i n l u e n c e j u st a b o ut e v e r y o n e el s e —f o r b ett e r o r w o r s e.

D e s pit e D o n al d T r u m p’ s o ut w a r d fli pfl o p pi n g o n L G B T + i s s u e s, h e h a s m a d e it cl e a r w h e r e h e st a n d s p oliti c all y b y t h e p e o pl e h e h a s s el e ct e d f o r p o siti o n s of p o w e r. T h e L G B T + c o m m u nit y i s n ot s af e wit h T r u m p a n d hi s c a bi n et. A n y o n e w h o b eli e v e s ot h e r wi s e i s i g n o ri n g t h e p oliti c al hi st o r y of m a n y of t h e f ol k s h e h a s p ut i n p o w e r. It o nl y t a k e s a q ui c k s e a r c h o nli n e t o s e e t h e hi st o r y of p e o pl e li k e Mi k e P e n c e, J eff S e s si o n s, St e v e B a n n o n, a n d K e n Kl u k o w s ki.

Wit h t hi s i n mi n d, w e’ v e c r aft e d a li st of i v e t hi n g s t h at e v e r y L G B T + i d e ntif yi n g p e r s o n a n d all y s h o ul d t a k e st o c k of f o r t h e n e xt f o u r y e a r s.

Y o u c o ul d c all it T h e G a y A g e n d a , t h o u g h it’ s m o r e li k e T h e A g e n d a Of D e c e nt H u m a n B ei n g s .

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S U B S T R E A M M A G A ZI N E //

S U B S T R E A M]

21

S u b st r e a m’ s G ui d e t o

Li vi n g a n d W o r ki n g i n AM o st mP o peulria r Mcu siac Citi’ s e s F E A T U R E: A n g el a M a st r o gi a c o m o

A U S TI N, T X T h e r e’ s s o m et hi n g s o m a gi c al a b o ut t h e i d e a of m o vi n g t o a n e w cit y. I n s pi r ati o n p o u r s t h r o u g h y o u a s y o u i m a gi n e e x pl o ri n g y o u r n e w s u r r o u n di n g s. Y o u r h e a d i s ill e d wit h all t h e p e o pl e y o u’ll m e et, a n d t h e o p p o rt u niti e s y o u’ll c o m e a c r o s s.

It c a n b e t h e p u s h w e n e e d t o r e all y g o aft e r o u r d r e a m s.

M a y b e y o u k n o w e x a ctl y w h e r e y o u w a nt t o b e — a n d w e e n v y t h o s e of y o u — b ut f o r a n y o n e w h o i s n’t q uit e s u r e w h at cit y i s t h e b e st it f o r t h ei r i n c o m e l e v el, g e n r e, p r of e s si o n, a n d o v e r all st yl e, w e’ v e c r e at e d a i el d g ui d e of s o m e of A m e ri c a’ s m o st p o p ul a r m u si c citi e s a n d a b r e a k d o w n of t h ei r e x p e n s e s, m o st wi d e s p r e a d g e n r e s, st r e n gt h s a n d w e a k n e s s e s.

22

[ S U B S T R E A MM A G A ZI N E. C O M ]

“ W h at I l o v e t h e m o st a b o ut li vi n g i n t h e Li v e M u si c C a pit al of t h e W o rl d i s t h at y o u b e c o m e p a rt of a f a mil y. T h e h o s pit alit y a n d ‘ h el p y o u r n ei g h b o r’ attit u d e — b ot h wit hi n t h e i n d u st r y a n d o ut — m a k e s f o r e a s y a n d f ri e n dl y n et w o r ki n g o p p o rt u niti e s.”

— X o c hitl H a n s e n, S h u l e B e at M u si c a n d U M u si ci a n s A v e r a g e r e nt: $ 7 5 0 + f o r a st u di o, $ 1, 0 0 0 + f o r a o n e- b e d r o o m. R e nt e d r o o m c o m e s i n at $ 5 0 0 + a m o nt h.

P o p ul a r g e n r e s i n t h e cit y: A n yt hi n g a n d e v e r yt hi n g. L ot s of p o p- p u n k b ut al s o a h e alt h y d o s e of alt- r o c k, c o u nt r y, si n g e r- s o n g w rit e r, p o p, a n d e v e n m et al.

I n d u st r y p r e s e n c e: “A u sti n i s t h e cit y t o b e i n,” s a y s C aitli n R a y, a f r e el a n c e r i n t o u r a n d f e sti v al m e r c h a n di s e m a n a g e m e nt. “ W h e n I i r st m o v e d I w a s s h o c k e d at t h e a m o u nt of p e o pl e t h at h a d j u st r el o c at e d t h e r e f o r t h e m u si c i n d u st r y f r o m L o s A n g el e s a n d N a s h vill e.”

Cit y st r e n gt h s: T h e i n c r e di bl e s e n s e of s u p p o rt t h at e v e r y o n e f e el s i n A u sti n.

Alt h o u g h t h e r e’ s a l ot of c o m p etiti o n, t h e s c e n e s u p p o rt s o n e a n ot h e r. Wit h all t h e a v ail a bl e s h o w s a n d m e et- u p s, i nt e r vi e w e e s r e p o rt t h at it’ s e a s y t o m e et li k e- mi n d e d p e o pl e a n d t h e r e’ s al w a y s s o m et hi n g t o s e e.

Cit y w e a k n e s s e s: T h e o v e r w h el mi n g a m o u nt of a rti st s c a n m a k e it di i c ult t o g et n oti c e d. T h e r e’ s al s o a s e e mi n gl y e n dl e s s st r e a m of t r a i c, w hi c h m a k e s g etti n g a r o u n d a c h all e n g e.

Li v e s c e n e vi b e: T h e r e’ s n o s h o rt a g e of gi g s a v ail a bl e, a n d n ot j u st y o u r a v e r a g e b a r gi g s eit h e r: “ W e’ v e pl a y e d a vi nt a g e f u r nit u r e st o r e, r e st a u r a nt s, b e n e it f u n d r ai s e r s … e v e n t h e ‘ st a g e’ n e xt t o t h e s c r e e n i n a m o vi e t h e at e r,” s a y s Cl ai mi n g N e pt u n e’ s A d a m B a r o n e.

A u sti n i s al s o h o m e t o t h e a n n u al S o ut h B y S o ut h w e st f e sti v al, t h e l a r g e st m u si c f e sti v al of it s ki n d i n t h e w orl d.

N ot a bl e r e si d e nt s: E x pl o si o n s I n T h e S k y, S p o o n, a n d G a r y Cl a r k J r.

B o n u s: A u sti n h a s a n i m p r e s si v e a m o u nt of r e s o u r c e s f o r m u si ci a n s, i n cl u di n g R o c k N R oll R e nt al s, t h e H e alt h Alli a n c e f o r A u sti n M u si ci a n s, t h e Si m s F o u n d ati o n, a n d t h e A u sti n M u si c F o u n d ati o n, w hi c h r e g ul a rl y o f e r s e d u c ati o n al t o ol s t o t h e m u si c c o m m u nit y. I n a d diti o n, t h e r e’ s n o st at e i n c o m e t a x a n d d u ri n g t h e i r st w e e k of J a n u a r y t h e cit y h ol d s Fr e e W e e k. “ M u si ci a n s pl a y i n e v e r y v e n u e a n d b a r at n o c h a r g e t o t h e f a n s,” e x pl ai n s I a n C o c h r a n ( C o w b o y Di pl o m a c y). “ E v e r y b a n d i n t o w n w a nt s t o b e a p a rt of it a n d it’ s b a si c all y a mi ni-f e sti v al i n s u p p o rt of t h e l o c al s c e n e.”

C HI C A G O, I L “ T hi s cit y h ol d s a l ot f o r t h o s e r e a d y t o st a rt off t h ei r c a r e e r s o r g r o w t h ei r b u si n e s s.” — Ni n a S wi nt, O ut of C o nt e xt C hi c a g o “ Al m o st e v e r y w e e k e n d I’ m g oi n g t o a di f e r e nt a p a rt m e nt DI Y s p a c e t o s e e a b a n d [t h at] eit h e r I’ v e n e v e r h e a r d of, o r o n e t h at I li k e d s o m u c h f r o m a p a st s h o w t h at I w a nt e d t o s e e a g ai n.”

— C o di O e hl e r ki n g

B AY A RE A

S A N F R A N CI S C O / E A S T B A Y

“[I] w a s al w a y s d r a w n t o it f o r it s n at u r al b e a ut y, it s di v e r sit y, it s f u n ki n e s s, a n d it b ei n g a c r e ati v e a n d p oliti c al e pi c e nt e r f o r s o m a n y d e c a d e s.” — D r e a M, i n di e- n oi r m u si ci a n “ T h e p a s si o n of t h e cit y i s c o nt a gi o u s.”

— St ef a n A r o n s o n, B al a n c e d B r e a kf a st c o-f o u n d e r A v e r a g e r e nt: C r a z y hi g h. R e nt p ri c e s a r e c o n st a ntl y i n c r e a si n g a n d c u r r e ntl y a v e r a g e a n y w h e r e f r o m $ 2, 5 0 0 + a m o nt h f o r a o n e- b e d r o o m i n S a n Fr a n ci s c o a n d $ 1, 7 0 0 t o $ 2, 0 0 0 f o r a o n e- b e d r o o m i n t h e E a st B a y.

P o p ul a r g e n r e s i n t h e cit y: Li k e t h e di v e r s e cit y it i s, g e n r e s r u n wil d h e r e. T h e r e’ s s o m et hi n g f o r e v e r y o n e.

I n d u st r y p r e s e n c e: B e c a u s e L o s A n g el e s i s r el ati v el y cl o s e, t h e i n d u st r y p r e s e n c e i n t h e B a y A r e a i s mi ni m al t o m o d e r at e.

Cit y st r e n gt h s: T h e m e nt alit y i n t h e B a y A r e a m u si c s c e n e i s “ w e’ r e b ett e r t o g et h e r t h a n w e a r e al o n e” a n d t h at s hi n e s i n t h e t h ri vi n g m u si c c o m m u nit y. I n a d diti o n, t h e r e’ s a s oli d a m o u nt of p r e s s a v ail a bl e f o r e m e r gi n g a ct s, i n cl u di n g T h e B a y B ri d g e d, D o T h e B a y, a n d l o c al r a di o st ati o n s Li v e 1 0 5 a n d B F F. F M. Cit y w e a k n e s s e s: B e c a u s e of t h e hi g h c o st of li vi n g, it c a n b e di i c ult t o b ri n g c r o w d s o ut t o s h o w s, a n d e xt r a i n c o m e i s s c a r c e. T hi s c a n al s o m a k e p u r s ui n g a f ull-ti m e m u si c c a r e e r n e xt t o i m p o s si bl e.

Li v e s c e n e vi b e: T h e r e’ s n o s h o rt a g e of gi g s, b ut b e c a u s e of t h e o v e r- s at u r ati o n m a n y e n d u p b ei n g p o o rl y p ai d. O n t h e pl u s si d e, t h e B a y A r e a i s h o m e t o c o u ntl e s s i n c r e di bl e v e n u e s, b ot h n e w e r a n d hi st o ri c, i nti m at e a n d i m m e n s e. S a n Fr a n ci s c o al s o h o st s p o p ul a r a n n u al m u si c f e sti v al s li k e O ut si d e L a n d s a n d Tr e a s u r e I sl a n d M u si c F e sti v al.

N ot a bl e r e si d e nt s: T hi r d E y e Bli n d, G r e e n D a y, a n d T y c h o.

A v e r a g e r e nt: C hi c a g o v a ri e s d r a sti c all y d e p e n di n g o n l o c ati o n. Y o u c a n s c o r e a o n e- b e d r o o m a s l o w a s $ 1, 0 0 0 + a m o nt h, b ut t h e a v e r a g e i s cl o s e r t o $ 1, 5 0 0. If y o u’ r e willi n g t o s h a r e, $ 5 0 0 + a m o nt h f o r a r o o m i s a v e r a g e.

P o p ul a r g e n r e s i n t h e cit y: P o p- p u n k, i n di e r o c k, a n d bl u e s a r e all p o p ul a r, t h o u g h t h e cit y’ s g e n r e s el e cti o n i s di v e r s e.

I n d u st r y p r e s e n c e: W hil e t h e r e a r e a f ai r a m o u nt of st u d e nt- r u n l a b el s, v e n u e s, a n d o p p o rt u niti e s t o w o r k s o m e of t h e cit y’ s l a r g e r f e sti v al s,

t h e r e a r e n ot a l ot of bi g- n a m e c o m p a ni e s.

Cit y st r e n gt h s: C hi c a g o h a s a st r o n g s e n s e of c o m m u nit y a n d di v e r sit y, a n d n o s h o rt a g e of t al e nt. T h e r e’ s a ri c h hi st o r y of e v e r yt hi n g f r o m bl u e s t o h a r d c o r e i n C hi c a g o, m a ki n g it a g r e at pl a c e t o g r o w n o m att e r t h e g e n r e.

Cit y w e a k n e s s e s: Hi g h t a x e s, o v e rs at u r ati o n of t al e nt, a n d n ot e n o u g h i n d u st r y j o b s a r e t h e cit y’ s bi g g e st v oi c e d w e a k n e s s e s.

Li v e s c e n e vi b e: T h e g o o d n e w s i s t h at t h e r e a r e a l ot of s h o w s t o att e n d, b ut att e n d a n c e i s n’t al w a y s hi g h. Still, t h e li v e m u si c s c e n e i s a f ri e n dl y o n e wit h p r o m ot e r s d oi n g t h ei r b e st t o h el p b a n d s. L o c al ti p: If y o u’ r e l o w o n c a s h, c h e c k o ut T h e E m pt y B ottl e, w hi c h h a s f r e e M o n d a y ni g ht s m o st w e e k s. T h e cit y al s o h o st s m a n y f e sti v al s i n cl u di n g L oll a p al o o z a, Ri ot F e st, M a m b y o n t h e B e a c h, a n d N o rt h C o a st.

N ot a bl e r e si d e nt s: F all O ut B o y, O K G o, a n d Wil c o.

D E N V E R, C O “I f e el t h at D e n v e r i s o n t h e c u s p of b ei n g t h e n e xt g r e at m u si c cit y.

Wit h s u c h a g r o wi n g, di v e r s e, a n d s u p p o rti v e c o m m u nit y it’ s o nl y a m att e r of ti m e b ef o r e t h e r e st of t h e c o u nt r y r e ali z e s t h at D e n v e r h a s m o r e t o o f e r t h a n b e a utif ul m o u nt ai n s a n d l e g al w e e d.” — J o el R e ki el, B L D G B L K S M u si c C o m p a n y A v e r a g e r e nt: $ 8 0 0 t o $ 1 2 0 0 a m o nt h f o r a o n e- b e d r o o m.

P o p ul a r g e n r e s i n t h e cit y: F ol k, r o c k; a littl e bit of e v e r yt hi n g.

I n d u st r y p r e s e n c e: T h e r e a r e a l ot of f r e el a n c e r s i n p h ot o g r a p h y a n d vi d e o g r a p h y, b ut l e s s l a b el s, P R, a n d “t r a diti o n al” i n d u st r y.

Cit y st r e n gt h s: D e n v e r r e si d e nt s w e r e a b s ol ut el y g u s hi n g a b o ut t h ei r cit y. It’ s m u si c all y di v e r s e wit h a d e e pl y c u ri o u s a u di e n c e t h at’ s n ot ti e d d o w n t o j u st o n e

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g e n r e. T hi s c o m e s a c r o s s i n t h ei r li v e s h o w s, w hi c h oft e n f e at u r e m ulti- g e n r e li n e u p s. It’ s al s o r e p o rt e dl y m u c h l e s s c utt h r o at wit h a pl et h o r a of c r e ati v e p e o pl e i n h a biti n g t h e cit y, m a ki n g i n s pi r ati o n p r ett y e a s y t o c o m e b y.

Cit y w e a k n e s s e s: T hi s w a s t h e o nl y cit y wit h v e r y f e w w e a k n e s s e s r e p o rt e d. T h e o nl y m aj o r c o m pl ai nt w a s i n r e g a r d s t o a l a c k of i n d u st r y m e et- u p s.

Li v e s c e n e vi b e: V e r y h e alt h y. T h e r e’ s r e g ul a r s h o w att e n d a n c e wit h l ot s of e n e r g y f r o m t h e c r o w d, a n d c e rt ai nl y n o s h o rt a g e of o p p o rt u niti e s f o r a rti st s w h o a r e willi n g t o w o r k h a r d.

D e n v e r i s h o m e t o a h a n df ul of m u si c f e sti v al s a s w ell, i n cl u di n g it s o w n i n st all m e nt of Ri ot F e st.

N ot a bl e r e si d e nt s: T h e L u mi n e e r s, t h e Fr a y, a n d Fl o b ot s.

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L O S A N G E L E S, C A “ T h e m u si c i n d u st r y i s v e r y m u c h ali v e a n d vi b r a nt i n L o s A n g el e s. It i s t h e e nt e rt ai n m e nt c a pit al of t h e w o rl d.”

— S c ott St u r gi s, Bi g B r e a k M u si c “ Y o u c o ul d n’t t h r o w a r o c k a n d hit s o m e o n e w h o i s n’t a n i n d u st r y p r of e s si o n al i n L. A. S o, y e a h, it’ s d a m n e d h e alt h y h e r e.” — Tri n a G r e e n, Hi g h V olt a g e M a g a zi n e A v e r a g e r e nt: E x p e n si v e, a s y o u mi g ht e x p e ct. $ 1 5 0 0 t o $ 2 0 0 0 f o r a o n eb e d r o o m. $ 6 0 0 t o $ 8 0 0 f o r a r o o m.

P o p ul a r g e n r e s i n t h e cit y: E D M, r o c k, a n d hi p- h o p wit h j u st a b o ut a n yt hi n g el s e s p ri n kl e d i n.

I n d u st r y p r e s e n c e: It’ s L. A., y o u g u y s.

T h e i n d u st r y p r e s e n c e i s ali v e a n d t h ri vi n g.

Cit y st r e n gt h s: B e c a u s e of t h e st r o n g i n d u st r y p r e s e n c e a n d a m o u nt of m u si ci a n s t h at m a k e L. A. t h ei r h o m e, t h e r e i s a l ot of n et w o r ki n g

o p p o rt u niti e s. T hi s l e n d s it s elf t o a m u si c all y e n ri c h e d, i n s pi ri n g vi b e.

Cit y w e a k n e s s e s: It’ s n o s e c r et t hi s cit y s uff e r s f r o m t h e d r e a d e d p a yt o- pl a y, a n d t h at, c o u pl e d wit h t h e hi g h c o st of li vi n g a r e t h e bi g g e st w e a k n e s s e s. It c a n al s o b e i n c r e di bl y c o m p etiti v e b e c a u s e a rti st s a r e v yi n g f o r att e nti o n al o n g si d e G r a m m y a w a r d- wi n ni n g m u si ci a n s. Al s o, L. A. t r affi c i s n o j o k e a n d g a s p ri c e s i n C alif o r ni a a r e hi g h.

Li v e s c e n e vi b e: P a y-t o- pl a y kill s a l ot of li v e m u si c, b ut t h e r e’ s n o d o u bt t h at s h o w s a r e a g r e at pl a c e t o n et w o r k.

L o c al ti p: T h e S at ellit e, t h e E c h o, B o otl e g a n d Sil v e rl a k e L o u n g e all o f e r a f r e e M o n d a y ni g ht r e si d e n c y. A s f a r a s c at c hi n g a s h o w, L o s A n g el e s i s a m aj o r m a r k et a n d p r a cti c all y a n y t o u r m a ki n g it s w a y t o t h e W e st C o a st will st o p i n s o m e a r e a of t h e cit y.

N ot a bl e r e si d e nt s: B e c k, G r o u pl o v e, a n d W e e z e r.

N E W Y O R K CI T Y, N Y T h e r e i s a n e n e r g y a b o ut t h e cit y t h at p u s h e s y o u t o h u stl e li k e n o w h e r e el s e. T hi s cit y i s s o c ult u r all y di v e r s e t h at wit h o ut e v e n t r yi n g y o u a r e a ut o m ati c all y i m m e r s e d i n ot h e r s’ e x p e ri e n c e s.” — Bl a c k O r a “ E v e n t h o u g h milli o n s of p e o pl e li v e h e r e, t h e m u si c i n d u st r y still f e el s v e r y s m all. E v e r y o n e k n o w s e v e r y o n e, o r k n o w s s o m e o n e w h o k n o w s s o m e o n e.”

— Li s a O c c hi n o, S o n g w rit e r Li n k A v e r a g e r e nt: D e p e n di n g o n w h at p a rt of N Y C y o u li v e i n, r e nt v a ri e s d r a sti c all y. E x p e ct t o p a y n o l e s s t h a n $ 1, 0 0 0 + a m o nt h f o r a r o o m o r u p w a r d s of $ 1 6 0 0 t o $ 2, 0 0 0 a m o nt h f o r a o n e- b e d r o o m o r st u di o i n B r o o kl y n o r Q u e e n s.

P o p ul a r g e n r e s i n t h e cit y: Hi p- H o p, E D M, r o c k, a n d i n di e- p o p.

I n d u st r y p r e s e n c e: D e s pit e m u c h of t h e i n d u st r y m o vi n g t o L o s A n g el e s, t h e r e’ s still a st r o n g p r e s e n c e i n N Y C wit h s e v e r al bi g- n a m e a rti st s a n d c o m p a ni e s.

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Cit y st r e n gt h s: T hi s i s N e w Y o r k Cit y!

T h e r e i s e n dl e s s e n e r g y, p a s si o n, i n s pi r ati o n, c ult u r e, a n d di v e r sit y a r o u n d e v e r y c o r n e r. It’ s e a s y t o t h ri v e o f e v e r y o n e’ s i n s pi r ati o n a n d e n e r g y, a n d t h e a b u n d a n c e of t al e nt f o r c e s y o u t o st a y o n y o u r t o e s.

Cit y w e a k n e s s e s: T hi s i s a cit y t h at c all s t o p e o pl e wit h bi g d r e a m s, a n d b e c a u s e of t h at it’ s r at h e r h o m o g e ni z e d. It’ s al s o v e r y e x p e n si v e, w hi c h r e q ui r e s a l ot of s a c ri i c e.

Li v e s c e n e vi b e: N Y C h a s a st r o n g li v e s c e n e wit h a n e v e r- e n di n g s u p pl y of s h o w s, b ut if y o u’ r e a m u si ci a n l o o ki n g t o b o o k, y o u n e e d t o m a k e a st r o n g e f o rt t o n et w o r k. O n c e y o u’ r e i n, e x p e ct t o s e e m a n y of t h e s a m e f a c e s p o p u p at y o u r f a v o rit e v e n u e. T h e r e’ s a d e i nit e c o m m u nit y vi b e wit hi n di f e r e nt n ei g h b o r h o o d s a n d v e n u e s.

N ot a bl e r e si d e nt s: Y e a h Y e a h Y e a h s, V a m pi r e W e e k e n d, a n d t h e C h ai n s m o k e r s.

N A S H VI L L E, T N “It’ s a v e r y o p e n- b o o k cit y w h e r e c o nt a ct s a r e s h a r e d, h a n d s a r e s h a k e n, a n d g r e at r el ati o n s hi p s a r e b uilt i n t h e i n d u st r y.”

— C h el s e a W hit e, St r e et T al k M e di a “ W e h a v e a n i n c r e di bl e a m o u nt of t al e nt e d p e o pl e i n j u st a b o ut e v e r y a s p e ct of t h e i n d u st r y.” — M a r c Fri g o, m ulti- pl ati n u m mi x e r & r e c o r di n g e n gi n e e r A v e r a g e r e nt: A o n e- b e d r o o m r u n s $ 8 0 0 t o $ 1, 0 0 0 a m o nt h o n t h e l o w e n d, w hil e a r e nt e d r o o m a v e r a g e s $ 5 0 0 t o $ 6 0 0.

P o p ul a r g e n r e s i n t h e cit y: Si n g e r- s o n g w rit e r, c o u nt r y, a n d A m e ri c a n a.

I n d u st r y p r e s e n c e: N a s h vill e’ s i n d u st r y p r e s e n c e i s t h ri vi n g, t h o u g h m u c h of it c at e r s t o t h e cit y’ s m o st p r o mi n e nt g e n r e s.

Cit y st r e n gt h s: T hi s i s y o u r cl a s si c bi g cit y / s m all t o w n — b ut f ri e n dli e r. N a s h vill e b o a st s a st r o n g s e n s e of c o m m u nit y a n d g e n ui n e f ri e n dli n e s s, a n d i s ill e d wit h v e n u e s a n d m e et- u p s t h at all o w f o r e a s e i n n et w o r ki n g a n d a c c e s s t o w o r k s h o p s / e v e nt s.

Cit y w e a k n e s s e s: T h e cit y i s s e ei n g a s pi k e i n n e w r e si d e nt s, w hi c h m e a n s t h e c o st of li vi n g i s ri si n g. A s wit h m o st citi e s, t h e r e’ s a r e p o rt e d f e eli n g of c o m p etiti o n a n d di i c ult y di sti n g ui s hi n g o n e s elf.

Li v e s c e n e vi b e: T w o w o r d s t h at k e pt c o mi n g u p t o d e s c ri b e N a s h vill e’ s li v e m u si c s c e n e w e r e “ c a s u al” a n d “ c hill.” S h o w s a r e l ai d- b a c k, a n d y o u’ r e li k el y t o s e e t h e s a m e f a c e s if y o u g o t o e n o u g h of t h e m, st r e n gt h e ni n g t h e c o m m u nit y vi b e.

T h e r e’ s al w a y s a s h o w t o s e e, b ut if y o u’ r e b o o ki n g y o u r s elf, e x p e ct l o w e r w e e k d a y t u r n o ut.

N ot a bl e r e si d e nt s: Ci vil W a r s.

Ki n g s Of L e o n, L a d y A nt e b ell u m, a n d t h e

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NE VER MI S S A NOTHER LI V E S H O W.

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P h ot o b y Eli z a b et h Cr o o k

Vi n yl O n T a p:

P ai ri n g N o rt h e r n C alif o r ni a B a n d s Wit h R e gi o n al B r e w s F e at u r e: K e vi n St e r n e

I n S u b st r e a m 5 5, w e hi k e d t h e O r e g o n T r ail wit h Ni r v a n a i n o u r e a r b u d s a n d d r a n k c r aft b e e r wit h Bi gf o ot. N e xt o n o u r li st: wi n e c o u nt r y. B ut fi r st w e m u st s a w C alif o r ni a i n h alf li k e a R e d w o o d. T hi s will b e t h e fi r st of a t w o- p a rt e r f e at u ri n g e s c a p e s f r o m Al c at r a z, t h e G o v e r n at o r, a n d C oli n K a e p e r ni c k p r ot e st k n e el s a s w e b e gi n wit h t h e B a y A r e a a n d n o rt h. S o sli d e t h e P att e r s o n- Gi mli n Fil m i nt o t h e p r oj e ct o r, p ut s o m e fl o w e r s i n y o u r h ai r, a n d w a r m u p t h e t u r nt a bl e a s y o u G o o gl e t h e s e b a n d s a n d b e v e r a g e s o n y o u r i P h o n e.

TORPEDO EXTR AIPA

SI E R R A N E V A D A B R E WI N G C O. W hat: A merican IPA W here: Chico W he n: Year-round A B V: 7.2 % Abuse with Tera Melos’ Dr u gs To T he Dear Yo ut h (2007) If t he Mars Volta, t he Dilli nger Escape Pla n, a nd A merica n Football had a t hreeso me, ni ne mo nt hs later t here’d be Tera Melos (t hat’s ho w sex works, folks). Cou nt o n Tera Melos to be u npredictable. Drugs To T he Dear Yout h de ma nds a n eve n-keeled beer a nd Sierra Nevada’s Torpedo is t he perfect West Coast sta ndby: pi ney, bitter, a nd wit h a taste of ho w s weet lo wers s mell. Co nsiste ncy s hould never have to be a pejorative —Torpedo Extra is excelle nt fro m t he i nitial sip to t he i nal bottle of t he sixer.

D AR K S WA N SO UR ALE

L A G U NI T A S B R E WI N G C O M P A N Y W hat: Sour W here: Petalu ma W he n: Rotating On Tap A B V: 8.7 %

Get guilty with Da nce Gavi n Da nce’s Do w nto w n Battle Mo u ntai n (2007)

Liste ni ng to mid-aug hts post- hardcore (or “screa mo”) is aki n to clea ni ng out your looded base me nt: You mig ht get lucky a nd i nd a case of video ga mes t hat stayed dry, but mostly you i nd waterlogged s hit you t hro w a way. Da nce Gavi n Da nce is t hat case of video ga mes, a nd Do w nto w n Battle Mou ntai n is Mortal Ko mbat . W hile D G D has rotated me mbers like a tap list, Will S wa n has bee n t he bo ne marro w of co nsiste nt, if nearly spectacular albu ms. T his needle-i n-t he- haystack release is deservi ng of a n equally illusive bre w: a fo wli nspired sour ale fer me nted wit h dark red wi ne grapes.

Never doubt t he S wa n.

P LI N Y T H E E L D E R

R U S SI A N RI V E R B R E WI N G C O M P A N Y W hat: Double IPA W here: Santa Rosa W he n: Rotating A B V: 8.0 % Count your blessings with Dre d g’s El Cielo (2002) Your body’s asleep a nd your mi nd is a wake. T here’s a buzzi ng w hite noise t hat sou nds like o ne hu ndred bees. Ple nty of ba nds could be called t he auditory equivale nt of Salvador Dali (see: 3 a nd 5 o n t his list). Dredg took prete nsio n to its ze nit h, basi ng El Ciel o o f Dali’s Drea m Caused By T he Flig ht Of A Bee . T he n t hey used sleep paralysis as t heir overarc hi ng co ncept —a nd nailed it. T he o nly beverage wort hy is a me mber of t he I PA Holy Tri nity: Heady Topper, Zo mbie Dust, Pli ny T he Elder. Pli ny’s a n i nfa mous I PA so desired by t he ot her 49 states t hat you mig ht not k no w if you’re a wake or drea mi ng w he n you i nally taste it.

O L D R A S P U TI N A NC HOR PORTER

A N C H O R B R E WI N G C O M P A N Y W hat: A merican Porter W here: San Francisco W he n: Year-round A B V: 5.6 % Harbor with t he Do dos’ Carrier (2013) “ W hat is a so ng? W hat is love?” begi ns Carrier . W hat is a porter doi ng i n Sa n Fra ncisco? W hy is a proggy folk ba nd do n ni ng t hat du mpy, dead bird as its na mesake? Do you wa nt mela nc holy? Do you wa nt acoustic guitars played like Explosio ns I n T he Sky? If your ears desire deco nstructed r hyt h ms a nd si ngular notes s wat hed i n disso na nce t his is t he albu m you need. If your pallet craves bro w n malt, hops, a nd water, t his porter masqueradi ng as a stout a nd tea mi ng wit h foggy Bay Area lavor is all yours.

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N O R T H C O A S T B R E WI N G C O. W hat: Russian I mperial Stout W here: Fort Bragg W he n: Year-round A B V: 9 % S wig with A Lot Li ke Birds’ Co nversatio n Piece (2011)

T he lege ndary Russia n t hat would n’t die versus a ti me mac hi ne visiti ng t he last decade’s best hardcore —a nd Kurt Travis is at t he co ntrols. Rasputi n’s reputatio n is for t he bold a nd co mplex —equipped wit h a frot hy head t hat puts most pour-over co fees to s ha me. Co nversatio n Piece mutilates guitar scales a nd has eve n bee n ru mored to burst eardru ms if played too loud.

Bot h age well. Ole’ Raspy is wort h cellari ng for a year or t wo w hile Co nvo P is better wit h eac h so ng, cul mi nati ng i n a n albu m t hat feels back-loaded, but not half-assed. T his battle will last decades, a nd you have a fro nt ro w seat.

R ACER 5

WI L C O T A N G O F O X T R O T

Not si nce a n As Tall As Lio ns release has a more ti g htly crafte d a n d foc use d effort e merge d fro m Tri ple Cro w n Records. Every ar pe g giate d note, cy m bal s plas h, a n d s u btle electro nic effect is ti n ge d wit h Joey Va n n ucc hi’s gro wi n g tra de mark of poi g na ncy i n a n airti g ht packa ge. T he folks at Bear Re p u blic Bre wi n g Co. have do ne so me co m pacti n g of t heir o w n, cra m mi n g gra pefr uits a n d ma n gos i n a vice, res ulti n g i n t he delicio us elixir, Racer 5.

If, as t he title i m plies, Fro m I n dia n Lakes left so met hi n g o ut, Racer 5 will a ptly fill it i n.

Peo ple look at t he 2 0 1 6 electio n as w he n A merica hit rock botto m. T hat bol d procla matio n is easy to make beca use it’s so fres h i n o ur mi n ds, b ut we m ust n’t forget n u metal, aka t he collective WTF si nce t he late 1 9 9 0s. Have yo u trie d liste ni n g to Kor n or Li m p Bizkit? Yes, b ut have yo u trie d liste ni n g to Kor n or Li m p Bizkit? It ca n’t be do ne. Rest yo ur blee di n g ears dee p i n La g u nitas’ ta proo m, tell t he barte n der yo u wa nt a WTF a n d so me W hite Po ny . No w prete n d for t he next fe w ho urs t hat t he w hole A di das rock t hi n g never ha p pe ne d.

B E A R R E P U B LI C B R E WI N G C O. W hat: A merican IPA W here: Healdsburg W he n: Year-round A B V: 7.5 % Enjoy with Fro m I n dia n La kes’ A bse nt So u n ds (2014)

L A G U NI T A S B R E WI N G C O M P A N Y W hat: Sour W here: Petalu ma W he n: Rotating On Tap A B V: 7.85 % Drink WTF with Defto nes’ W hite Po ny (2000)

BOO NT A MBER ALE

A N D E R S O N V A L L E Y B R E WI N G C O M P A N Y W hat: Red Ale W here: Petalu ma W he n: Year-round A B V: 5.8 % Pour Boont A mber with Sia nvar’s Sia nvar E P (2014)

B R E W F R E E O R DI E I P A

2 1 ST A M E N D M E N T B R E W E R Y W hat: A merican IPA W here: San Francisco W he n: Year-round A B V: 7 % Meditate with Tyc ho’s Dive (2011)

In a fanboy universe this list could be co mprised of only Dance Gavin Dance o fshoots and associated acts. Luckily Will S wan corralled me mbers of Hail The Sun, Stolas, and A Lot Like Birds to record Sianvar , an E P of A D H D-fretting, shrill vocal gy mnastics, and production as crisp as Anderson Valley Bre wing’s A mber Ale. Though the style is often overlooked because of subtlety, Boont A mber Ale is red with enough lavor to hold its o wn a mongst the big California I PAs and stouts. The 22- minute E P is an excellent pri mer for each me mber’s respective band, but there’s no need to s witch beers.

I was goi ng to lead wit h ho w I o nce took a yoga class i n w hic h t his albu m played t he w hole ti me, a nd t he n reco m me nd you roll up t he mat a nd tip back a glass of Bre w Free Or Die I PA i n lieu of c hild’s pose. But if co mbi ni ng beer wit h your yoga is a t hi ng it probably takes root i n Califor nia. W hy not tickle bot h your pallet a nd your c hakras?

BF O D’s eart hy malt will keep you grou nded a nd ce ntered w hile Scott Ha nse n frees your mi nd wit h aural la ndscapes.

E nlig hte n me nt co mes wit h a 7 % A BV a nd sy nt hesizers.

Na maste, my craft beer yogi.

A NC HOR STE A M BEER

8 B ALL

Sa n Fra ncisco’s lags hip beer meets t he qui ntesse ntial A merica n albu m. T he 12- mi nute live versio n of “ Rou nd Here” is equally as poig na nt as t he albu m versio n —just liste n to t hose lyrics. “ Mr. Jo nes” is a n i ndisputable si ng-alo ng classic, “A n na Begi ns” is masterpiece, a nd “ Rai ni ng I n Balti more” is o ne of t he saddest so ngs you’ll hear, period. Ada m Duritz a nd Ada m Duritz’s hair have so met hi ng for everyo ne. Stea m Beer is exclusively Sa n Fra ncisca n: doug hy wit h cara mel color a nd s mell, t he liquid equivale nt of sourdoug h bread. I nter mix t he t wo i n “ O ma ha, so me w here i n middle A merica.”

A pairi ng of t wo sly o nes. O n Rogue Wave’s debut, Zac h Sc h wartz is doi ng muc h more t ha n muddied Bria n Wilso n covers. A nd 8 Ball mig ht taste like a porter mislabeled as a stout, but dri nk agai n; bot h o fer lesso ns i n irst i mpressio ns. Co nsider Out Of T he S hado w ’s u nco mfortable disso na nce —especially t he at mosp here co ncludi ng “E ndga me” —or t hat most so ngs lack a clear hook but are still catc hy; traits not readily appare nt. 8 Ball is overtly hoppy wit h a lig ht, porter-like start. But, da m n, t hat malty, stout i nis h. T he folks at Lost Cost are also ki nd e noug h not to leave you couc h-locked like ot her bre wers. T here’s no excuse not to sip o ne, especially w he n t his record is o nly six mi nutes nort h of a half- hour.

A N C H O R B R E WI N G C O M P A N Y W hat: California Co m mon / Stea m Beer W here: San Francisco W he n: Year-round A B V: 4.9 % Sip with Co u nti n g Cro ws’ A u g ust A n d Everyt hi n g After (1993)

LOST C O AST B RE WE RY W hat: Oat meal Stout W here: Eureka W he n: Year-round A B V: 6.3 Indulge with Ro g ue Wave’s O ut Of T he S ha do w (2004)

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S U B S T R E A M]

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GL A ZE T HED A Y

wit h D o n ut F ri e n d o w n e r M a r k Tr o m bi n o I N T E R VI E W: J o h n B a zl e y / / P H O T O S: E ri c a L a u r e n

It’ s h a r d n ot t o l o v e d o u g h n ut s. It’ s h a r d e r n ot t o l o v e d o u g h n ut s wit h n a m e s li k e B a n a n a Kill, S’ m o r ri s s e y, F u d g e g a zi, a n d G G Al m o n d. T h e s e a r e j u st a f e w of t h e p u n k r o c k-i n s pi r e d, 1 0 0 p e r c e nt v e g a n d o u g h n ut r e ci p e s d e si g n e d b y M a r k T r o m bi n o at hi s L o s A n g el e s d o u g h n ut s h o p, D o n ut F ri e n d. W e h a d t h e c h a n c e t o s p e a k wit h t h e r e c o r d p r o d u c e r t u r n e d d o u g h n ut c h ef a b o ut hi s c r e ati v e p r o c e s s, D o n ut F ri e n d’ s i r st t h r e e y e a r s i n b u si n e s s, a n d bl e n di n g t h e m u si c i n d u st r y wit h t h e f o o d b u si n e s s.

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Y o u’ v e b e e n d oi n g D o n ut F ri e n d f o r a w hil e — w h e n di d t h e s h o p o p e n u p ?

M A R K T R O M BI N O: 2 0 1 3, s o it’ s b e e n a littl e o v e r t h r e e y e a r s.

B a c k i n 2 0 1 4, y o u s ai d t h at y o u di d n’t w a nt t o b e a “ p u n k r o c k d o u g h n ut s h o p.” I t h o u g ht t h at w a s i nt e r e sti n g b e c a u s e I t hi n k if it’ s s af e t o c all a n y o n e a p u n k r o c k d o u g h n ut s h o p, D o n ut F ri e n d i s t h e i r st o n e t h at c o m e s t o mi n d f o r a n u m b e r of o b vi o u s r e a s o n s. W h at di d y o u m e a n b y t h at, a n d d o y o u still st a n d b y t h at t o d a y ?

I’ m t r yi n g n ot t o b e a ni c h e d o u g h n ut s h o p. M y vi si o n f o r D o n ut Fri e n d i s j u st t o b e a d o u g h n ut s h o p — a r e all y g o o d, a w e s o m e d o u g h n ut s h o p. W e d o h a v e a l ot of p u n k r o c k p u n s a n d st u f li k e t h at b e c a u s e I w a nt e d t o n a m e t h e d o u g h n ut s s o m et hi n g f u n a n d pl a yf ul.

At i r st, I di d n’t t hi n k m a n y p e o pl e w o ul d g et it, b ut I ki n d of w a nt e d it t h at w a y. I j u st w a nt p e o pl e t o c o m e i n a n d o r d e r a d o u g h n ut, a n d if t h e y a s k f o r a Rit e s Of S p ri n kl e s, t h e y d o n’t h a v e t o k n o w t h at Rit e s Of S p ri n g i s m y all-ti m e f a v o rit e b a n d. B ut it s o u n d s g o o d, Rit e s Of S p ri n kl e s. It m a k e s s e n s e. It’ s t h e s a m e t hi n g wit h b ei n g v e g a n. All of o u r d o u g h n ut s a r e v e g a n a n d w e’ r e a 1 0 0 p e r c e nt v e g a n s h o p, b ut I d o n’t a d v e rti s e it t h at w a y. I d o n’t w a nt t o c at e r t o a n y b o d y i n p a rti c ul a r; I w a nt it t o b e f o r e v e r y b o d y. It’ s s u p p o s e d t o b e i n cl u si v e.

Y o u s ai d y o u d o n’t w a nt it t o b e n e c e s s a r y t o g et t h e j o k e s of t h e d o u g h n ut n a m e s, b ut I’ m s u r e y o u g et a l ot of c u st o m e r s w h o a r e n o n -f a n s of b a n d s li k e Rit e s Of S p ri n g. D o y o u g et a l ot of q u e sti o n s a b o ut w h e r e t h e n a m e s c o m e f r o m a n d f e el t h e n e e d t o e x pl ai n t h e p u n s ?

I t r y n ot t o. I c h o s e n a m e s t h at j u st m a d e s e n s e a s a d o u g h n ut. I d o n’t t hi n k a n y o n e w o ul d q u e sti o n a n a m e li k e Rit e s Of S p ri n kl e s, it j u st s o rt of i nt uiti v el y m a k e s s e n s e, e v e n if y o u d o n’t k n o w w h o Rit e s Of S p ri n g i s. I t r y t o b e o b vi o u s wit h t h e d o u g h n ut, b ut n ot o b vi o u s wit h t h e p u n.

Y o u’ v e m a d e d o u g h n ut s wit h b a n d s li k e J e f R o s e n st o c k a n d P U P i n t h e p a st y e a r t o p r o m ot e t h ei r n e w m u si c, s o a s f a r a s t h e p u n s g o, I g u e s s t h o s e s p e ci i c all y a r e m o r e cl e a r.

Y e a h, t h e y d e i nit el y a r e. U s u all y wit h

t h o s e c a s e s, t h e b a n d s c o m e t o u s a n d h a v e a n i d e a f o r a d o u g h n ut, w hi c h i s g o o d b e c a u s e I’ m s u p e r sl o w wit h c o mi n g u p wit h n e w i d e a s — e s p e ci all y t h e p u n s, m a n. A s f u n a s t h e y a r e, it’ s al m o st li k e a li a bilit y. I c a n c o m e u p wit h a n e w d o u g h n ut, a n d t h e n t hi n k, “ A h, f u c k, n o w I n e e d t o c o m e u p wit h a n a m e.” [ L a u g h s .] It m a k e s it t wi c e a s h a r d. B ut s o m eti m e s t h o s e b a n d s o r t h ei r l a b el s will c o m e t o u s a n d a s k t o d o s o m et hi n g. U s u all y t h e y w a nt t o n a m e it aft e r t h ei r n e w al b u m o r s o m et hi n g, a n d it’ s j u st f u n t o d o. I li k e still b ei n g a s s o ci at e d wit h m u si c a n d d oi n g m u si c al t hi n g s.

D o all of t h e b a n d s k n o w y o u’ v e u s e d t h ei r n a m e s f o r d o u g h n ut p u n s ? H o w h a v e t h o s e b a n d s r e a ct e d w h e n t h e y i n d o ut t h ei r n a m e i s a d o u g h n ut at y o ur s h o p ?

I t hi n k p o siti v e ? [L a u g h s .] I’ m n ot r e all y s u r e. I t hi n k e v e r y o n e f o r t h e m o st p a rt i s st o k e d.

I c a n’t i m a gi n e t h e y’ d b e u p s et.

Y e a h, a n d if t h e y a r e, I h a v e n’t h e a r d it. A n d if t h e y a r e, t h e y s h o ul d n’t b e b e c a u s e it’ s all i n f u n. I t hi n k t h e o nl y p e r s o n w h o w o ul d m a y b e b e u p s et i s M o r ri s s e y. [ L a u g h s .]

W ell it’ s v e g a n s o h e c a n’t b e t h at u p s et, ri g ht ?

M o r ri s s e y c o ul d i n d a w a y.

Y o u c o m e u p wit h t h e d o u g h n ut l a v o r s — d o y o u h a v e a n y h el p wit h t h at ? D o c u st o m e r s e v e r gi v e y o u i d e a s o r s u b mi s si o n s ?

O c c a si o n all y p e o pl e will s u b mit i d e a s, o r f ri e n d s will s u g g e st t hi n g s, b ut f o r t h e m o st p a rt it’ s j u st m e. I c a m e u p wit h all of t h e i niti al o n e s, a n d t h e n s c o u r e d t h e i nt e r n et f o r di f e r e nt i d e a s a n d i n s pi r ati o n s. I’ v e b e e n w a nti n g t o i n d s o m e o n e I c a n w o r k wit h o n t h o s e t hi n g s, b ut it h a s n’t r e all y h a p p e n e d.

A ct u all y, i niti all y, B r o o k s H e a dl e y —t h e p a st r y c h ef f r o m N e w Y o r k w h o u s e d t o b e i n B o r n A g ai n st — h e a ct u all y h el p e d m e o ut a littl e bit wit h s o m e i d e a s. B ut a si d e f r o m t h at, I h a v e n’t r e all y w o r k e d wit h a n y o n e el s e.

W h at’ s y o u r f a v o rit e d o u g h n ut y o u’ v e m a d e, a n d w h at’ s t h e w ei r d e st ? I c o n si d e r m y s elf a f a n of d o u g h n ut s

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a n d s o m e of t h e m s e e m t o b e w h at I w o ul d c all st r a n g e.

T h e w ei r d e st o n e mi g ht b e t hi s o n e w e h a v e c all e d S ri r a c h o si n. It’ s p e a n ut b utt e r, j ell y, c o c o n ut b a c o n, a n d s ri r a c h a s a u c e i n si d e of a d o u g h n ut. T h at o n e s o u n d s r e all y w ei r d, b ut it’ s r e all y g o o d. It’ s p r ett y a w e s o m e. M y f a v o rit e i s p r o b a bl y j u st t h e gl a z e d d o u g h n ut.

I j u st e at gl a z e d d o u g h n ut s m o r e t h a n a n yt hi n g. I t hi n k t h at’ s li k e t h e v e hi cl e f o r e v e r yt hi n g s o t h at’ s t h e o n e I’ m c o n st a ntl y t r yi n g t o m a k e s u r e it d o e s n’t n e e d t o b e t w e a k e d o r a n yt hi n g. I e at a l ot of r ai s e d d o u g h n ut s a n d d o u g h n ut h ol e s. W e h a v e c a k e d o u g h n ut s, t o o, b ut m y h e a rt i s i n t h e r ai s e d.

T h e d o u g h n ut s h o p cl e a rl y k e e p s y o u b u s y. O ut si d e of t h o s e c oll a b o r ati o n s w e di s c u s s e d, h o w m u c h ti m e a r e y o u l eft wit h t o pl a y m u si c o r d o ot h e r b e hi n d -t h e - s c e n e s t y p e m u si c w o r k ? it s o u n d s li k e t h e d o u g h n ut s h o p i s a v e r y f ull-ti m e t hi n g.

Y e a h, it i s. It’ s e x a ctl y li k e w h at e v e r y o n e s a y s r u n ni n g a r e st a u r a nt i s li k e. It’ s a t w e nt y-f o u r s e v e n ki n d of t hi n g. I d o n’t h a v e a l ot of f r e e ti m e t o pl a y m u si c. T h e l a st c o u pl e of y e a r s, I w a s f o rt u n at e e n o u g h t o g et a w a y o n w e e k e n d s a n d d o s o m e s h o w s wit h m y ol d b a n d, a n d t h at w a s a m a zi n g. It w a s a r e all y w el c o m e r eli ef f r o m e v e r yt hi n g g oi n g o n h e r e. B ut a si d e f r o m t h at, I’ v e b e e n a p p r o a c h e d a b o ut p r o d u ci n g s o m e r e c o r d s, a n d I j u st d o n’t h a v e t h e ti m e t o s p e n d i n t h e st u di o a n y m o r e.

S o I d o w h at I c a n wit h t h e p r o m oti o n t hi n g s, a n d I’ m still i n v ol v e d wit h m u si c w h e r e I c a n. D o n ut Fri e n d w o r k s wit h s o m e m u si c c h a riti e s, a n d I k e e p d oi n g m u si c st u f o n t h e si d e o r i n t h e b a c k g r o u n d.

W h at w a s t h e l a st r e c o r d y o u w o r k e d o n ? I k n o w y o u h a d a p r o d u cti o n r ol e o n t h e W o n d e r Y e a r s’ T h e G r e at e st G e n e r ati o n .

I mi x e d t h at al b u m, I di d n’t p r o d u c e it. T h e l a st al b u m I a cti v el y p r o d u c e d w a s a b a n d c all e d T o ni g ht Ali v e [ 2 0 1 2’ s W h at A r e Y o u S o S c a r e d Of ? ] w hi c h f e el s li k e a milli o n y e a r s a g o. T h e W o n d e r Y e a r s al b u m w a s t h e l a st f ull t hi n g I w o r k e d o n, I t hi n k, b e c a u s e D o n ut Fri e n d o p e n e d u p s h o rtl y aft e r t h at. Si n c e t h e n, it’ s b e e n n o n- st o p d o u g h n ut s all t h e ti m e. S

S U B S T R E A M M A G A ZI N E //

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SOUNDWORDS

S u b st r e a m’ s Lit e r a r y L o o k I nt o T h e M u si c W o rl d

DI E YOU NG WI T H ME

A st o r y of p u n k roc k a n d t he u n w a v e ri n g will t o s u r vi v e S T O R Y: M att h e w L ei m k u e hl e r P H O T O: J o s h u a Bl a c k Wil ki n s

F o r R o b R uf u s, t h e y e a r 2 0 0 1 w a s a n a b s ol ut e i g ht. T h e t e e n a g e b o y f r o m W e st Vi r gi ni a wit h e v e r- g r o wi n g p u n k r o c k a s pi r ati o n s w a s p u m m el e d wit h t h e n e w s t h at h e w a s s u f e ri n g f r o m a r a r e f o r m of St a g e I V c a n c e r t h at c o ul d t a k e hi s lif e if h e di d n’t s e e k i m m e di at e t r e at m e nt. W hil e ki d s hi s a g e w e r e i n di n g t h e m a gi c i n Al k ali n e Tri o’ s Fr o m H er e T o I n ir m ar y o r B r a n d N e w’ s Y o ur F a v orit e W e a p o n a n d c o u nti n g d o w n t h e d a y s u ntil W a r p e d T o u r, R uf u s w a s illi n g t h e b ott o m of w a st e b a s k et s wit h hi s i n si d e s a n d s e e ki n g s ol a c e i n c o m pl et e sil e n c e — b ot h si d e e f e ct s f r o m t h e m ulti pl e c h e m ot h e r a p y t r e at m e nt s n e e d e d t o s a v e hi s lif e. E m b r a ci n g t hi s b attl e, R uf u s t o o k e a c h l aili n g p u n c h f r o m t h e c a n c e r o u s t u m o r i n hi s c h e st a n d t h e t r e at m e nt s n e e d e d t o d ef e at it.

H e di d n’t h a v e a c h oi c e. “ T h e r e w a s n’t r e all y a n y mi d dl e g r o u n d t o gi v e u p o n,” R uf u s s a y s. “It w a s eit h e r y o u’ r e g oi n g t o di e a f u c ki n g t e r ri bl e, p ai nf ul d e at h o r y o u’ r e g oi n g t o s u f e r t e r ri bl e m e di c al t r e at m e nt s.

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B ot h o pti o n s s u c k e d, s o w h at’ r e y o u g o n n a d o ?”

R uf u s r e vi sit e d hi s i g ht wit h c a n c e r, t h e o ri gi n s of hi s l o v e f o r p u n k m u si c, a n d t h e f o r mi d a bl e y e a r s t h at e v ol v e d i nt o hi s c a r e e r a s t h e d r u m m e r f o r Bl a c kli st R o y al s — a N a s h vill e- b a s e d p u n k g r o u p c o n si sti n g of R uf u s a n d hi s t wi n b r ot h e r, N at —i n hi s h a r r o wi n g m e m oi r, titl e d Di e Y o u n g Wit h M e . T h e b o o k p r o vi d e s a t r a n s p a r e nt, e y e- o p e ni n g, a n d h o n e st i n si g ht i nt o t h e t e e n a g e mi n d d u ri n g a n u ni m a gi n a bl e c ri si s.

C at h a rti c a n d c a pti v ati n g, R uf u s’ st o r y of s u r vi v al e m oti o n all y hit s y o u ( q uit e lit e r all y) w h e n y o u l e a st e x p e ct it; m o m e nt aft e r m o m e nt y o u t hi n k t h e p r ot a g o ni st r e a c h e s t h e e n d of t h e t u n n el u ntil t h e li g ht i s s h ut o f b y a p o w e r — h e alt h, m o n e y, o r m e di c al s u p e r vi si o n — o ut of hi s c o nt r ol.

It’ s a st o r y n o h u m a n s h o ul d e v e r h a v e t o t ell, b ut o n e R uf u s s ai d h e f elt r e a d y t o t ell. T h e n o w 3 3- y e a r- ol d a rti st a n d c a n c e r a cti vi st w o r k e d o n t h e n e a rl y 4 0 0- p a g e b o o k f o r n e a rl y i v e y e a r s. H e r e- e nt e r e d t h e mi n d of hi s t e e n a g e s elf, c a pt u ri n g t h e et h o s of a p u n k t e e n a g e r’ s l o n gi n g f o r f ri e n d s hi p, l u st, a n d pl a yi n g a kill e r gi g o ut of t o w n.

H e s a y s Bl a c kli st R o y al s a c hi e v e d m a n y of t h e g o al s h e h a d at t h at ti m e —t o u ri n g, r el e a si n g m u si c, a n d “ m a ki n g it” a s a m u si ci a n —l e a di n g hi m t o r e ali z e t h e l e eti n g n at u r e of g o al s a n d h o w m u c h h e h a d a c hi e v e d. T h e b a n d r el e a s e d a r e c o r d, al s o titl e d Di e Y o u n g Wit h M e , t h at e n c o m p a s s e s t h e t h e m e of t h e R uf u s b r ot h e r’ s st o r y, i n 2 0 1 4. S p e n di n g y e a r s i n a n d o ut of h o s pit al s, R uf u s i s i n r e mi s si o n b ut still s u f e r s f r o m

c h r o ni c b a c k p ai n, h e a ri n g l o s s, a n d 4 0 p e r c e nt b r e at hi n g c a p a cit y. “ G oi n g b a c k a n d r e- vi siti n g b ei n g a t e e n a g e r, I r e ali z e d I al r e a d y a c c o m pli s h e d a l ot of t h e st u f t h at s e e m e d c o m pl et el y u nt o u c h a bl e t o m e,” R uf u s r e c all s. “ S u c c e s s i s s u c h a m o vi n g t a r g et t h at t h e d r e a m s y o u h a v e w h e n y o u w e r e a ki d c h a n g e. Y o u n e e d m o r e a n d it’ s n ot a s f ul illi n g a s y o u w a nt it t o b e a n d n o w y o u di d t hi s a n d y o u n e e d t o d o t h at.”

R uf u s a n d hi s b r ot h e r w e r e r ai s e d i n H u nti n gt o n, W e st Vi r gi ni a. Y o u m a y h a v e n e v e r b e e n t h e r e (I n e v e r h a v e), b ut if y o u r p ul s e o n w o r ki n g- cl a s s A m e ri c a i s s u btl e at b e st, y o u k n o w t h e t o w n: T h e t y p e of pl a c e w h e r e g e n e r ati o n s of p e o pl e t al k a b o ut l e a vi n g, b ut n e v e r d o. T h e t y p e of pl a c e w h e r e p e o pl e s c r a p e b y p a y c h e c k-t op a y c h e c k. T h e t y p e of pl a c e, a s R uf u s d e s c ri b e s i n hi s b o o k, t h at w a r r a nt s a f r o nt p a g e h e a dli n e i n t h e n e w s p a p e r w h e n a n e w A p pl e b e e’ s c o m e s t o t o w n.

F or t h o s e w h o w a nt t o s wi m a g ai n st t h e f a st- l o wi n g, g e n er ati o n al, w or ki n g cl a s s birt hri g ht t h at c o m e s wit h b ei n g fr o m s u c h a pl a c e, m u si c e q u al s e s c a pi s m. A n d, w hil e Di e Y o u n g Wit h M e ’ s f o c u s pr o vi d e s u ni m a gi n a bl e i n si g ht i nt o R uf u s’ b attl e wit h t h e di s e a s e w a nti n g t o t a k e hi s lif e, t h e b o o k al s o gi v e s r e a d er s a st or y of a ki d still h o p ef ul f or a w a y o ut — a ki d w h o b eli e v e s, t o t h e d e e p e st of hi s c or e, t h at h e will wi n t hi s i g ht a n d l e a v e W e st Vir gi ni a b e hi n d f or e n dl e s s h o ur s of o p e n r o a d a n d ni g ht s i n d ar k cl u b s, pl a yi n g p a s si o n at e m u si c. T h e h oli sti c o pti mi s m, e v e n i n t h e b o o k’ s d ar k e st h o ur s, i s w h at m a k e s it s o e a s y t o r o ot f or R uf u s a n d hi s e ntir e f a mil y. “ W h e n I r e all y s at d o w n a n d t h o u g ht a b o ut w h at it w a s li k e t o g r o w u p w h e r e I g r e w u p, y o u k n o w … w h at it w a s li k e t o j u st h a v e t h at si m pl e, ‘If I c o ul d j u st pl a y i n a b a n d a n d g et a gi rl t o g o o n a d at e wit h m e, I’ll b e st o k e d.’ A n d I di d all t h at a n d m o r e. I ki n d a r e ali z e d I c a n t a k e it e a si e r o n m y s elf. All I w a nt e d t o d o w a s pl a y a g o o d s h o w a n d m e et c o ol b a n d s,” h e c o nti n u e s. “ A n d I di d all t h at. A n d I w a s m o r e f u c ki n g mi s e r a bl e t h a n w h e n I st a rt e d o ut. It w a s n’t u ntil t h e n t h at I ki n d a g ot m o r e i n v ol v e d wit h t r yi n g t o b e a n a ct u al a rti st a n d e x p r e s s m y s elf i n s o m e w a y a n d c r e at e s o m e ki n d of l e g a c y.”

Hi s st o r y a s a t e e n a g e r w a s o n e h e di d n’t w a nt t o d e i n e hi s c a r e e r e a rl y o n. H e e x p r e s s e d t h at it w a s

w ei r d — e s p e ci all y i n hi s e a rl y 2 0 s —t o t al k a b o ut w h at h e w e nt t h r o u g h wit h p e o pl e. S o h e di d n’t t ell it — n ot u ntil h e s ai d h e w a s a bl e t o “ c o m e t o p e a c e” wit h it b ei n g p a rt of hi s lif e.

“I w a s still s o i n t h e t hi c k of it.

E v e n t h e fi r st f e w y e a r s t h at I m o v e d t o N a s h vill e, m y lif e w a s still v e r y m u c h [ a l ot] of h o s pit al s, [ a l ot] of p r o c e d u r e s. T h at w a s m y d a y-t o- d a y a n d it w a s r e all y a f e w y e a r s l at e r w h e n I st a rt e d t o u ri n g a l ot a n d t r a v eli n g … t h at w a s m y w a y t o m o v e p a st it b e c a u s e I c o ul d b e a diff e r e nt p e r s o n i n e v e r y cit y I w a s i n.”

H e r e ali z e s t h e w ei g ht t h e st o r y m a y b e a r, e s p e ci all y o n t h o s e w h o st r u g gl e wit h e m p at h y. “It’ s u n d e r st a n d a bl y h a r d f o r a l ot of p e o pl e t o t al k a b o ut m o rt alit y a n d a l ot of h e a v y s hit li k e t h at b e c a u s e it m a k e s t h e m r e l e ct o n t h ei r o w n e xi st e n c e,” R uf u s s a y s. “ E s p e ci all y w h e n y o u’ r e t al ki n g a b o ut p e o pl e i n t h ei r e a rl y 2 0 s. It w a s st r a n g e i n b ot h r e s p e ct s. It w a s h a r d w h e n I t ri e d t o k e e p t h at p a rt of m y n a r r ati v e. I’ m n ot j u st a c a n c e r s u r vi v o r,” R uf u s c o nti n u e s, “I’ m m e a n d t hi s i s j u st s o m et hi n g t h at c o m e s al o n g wit h it.”

F o r t h e s a k e of t elli n g a t r ut hf ul st o r y, R uf u s di d n’t l et a n y of hi s f a mil y r e a d t h e b o o k u ntil it w a s i ni s h e d. T h e c h a r a ct e r r e l e ct s t h e s e n s e of r e ali s m t h at c o m e s wit h t h e st o r y: T h e f a mil y st r u g gl e s i n a n ci all y. T h e c a n c e r p ut s a st r ai n o n t h e b r ot h e r s’ a n d b a n d’ s r el ati o n s hi p ( T h e t w o st a rt e d a b a n d t o g et h e r — D e i a n c e Of A ut h o rit y — a n d e n d e d u p l a n di n g a st ri n g of d at e s o n W a r p e d T o u r t h at R o b w a s n’t a bl e t o pl a y d u e t o hi s ill n e s s). It p r o vi d e s a r e al l o o k i nt o h o w a f a mil y d e al s wit h t h e u ni m a gi n a bl e. “ A s a r e a d e r, I d o n’t f e el li k e I b e n e it b y r e a di n g a b o o k t h at’ s t o o ni c e,” h e s a y s. “I t r y t o b e j u st a s h a r d o n m y s elf a s e v e r y b o d y el s e. I d o n’t t hi n k it e n ri c h e s a n y b o d y t o r e a d a n y ki n d of st o r y w h e r e t h e r e’ s f a ultl e s s c h a r a ct e r s.”

R uf u s i s i n r e mi s si o n a n d r e si d e s i n N a s h vill e, w h e r e h e’ s w o r ki n g o n hi s s e c o n d b o o k a n d p e n ni n g a rti cl e s t h at r ai s e a w a r e n e s s o n t h e o pi oi d a d di cti o n c ri si s i n hi s h o m et o w n. H e r el e a s e d m u si c f o r a n e w p r oj e ct, c all e d t h e B a d Si g n s, i n 2 0 1 5. M o r e i nf o r m ati o n o n Di e Y o u n g Wit h M e c a n b e f o u n d at r o b r uf u s. c o m . S

W H AT R UF US I S R E A DI N G: Di s p at c h e s b y Mi c h a el H e r r:

C o n si d e r e d o n e of t h e d e i niti v e b o o k s a b o ut Vi et n a m, t hi s s u r r e ali sti c t ri p t h r o u g h t h e j u n gl e bl e w m y f u c ki n g mi n d. T hi n k of it t hi s w a y: It’ s s o o n p oi nt, it l a n d e d Mi c h a el H e r r w riti n g gi g s f o r F ull M et al J a c k et a n d A p o c al y p s e N o w!

S o n g s Of T h e Doo med by H u nt e r S. T h o m p s o n:

I r e a d t hi s c oll e cti o n of a rti cl e s f o r i n s pi r ati o n i n m y j o u r n ali sti c e n d e a v o r s, b ut all it di d w a s r e mi n d m e t h at, n o m att e r h o w c y ni c al m y w riti n g g et s, I’ll n e v e r c o m e cl o s e t o t h e m a st e r.

Geek Love by K at h e ri n e D u n n

: T hi s i s t h e b o o k I’ m c u r r e ntl y r e a di n g, a n d s o f a r it’ s f u c ki n g f a nt a sti c.

T h e r e a r e n’t e n o u g h f a nt a sti c al n o v el s f o r a d ult s w h o li k e d a r k h u m o r, c u s s w o r d s, a n d s e x — b ut i n G e e k L o v e , t h e pl ot i s al m o st a s u ni q u e a s t h e w riti n g. T o o c o ol.

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C A U SE+ EFFECT a n d t h e el e m e nt of s u r p ri s e I N T E R VI E W: J a m e s S h ot w ell

G r e g M c L e a n i s li vi n g a n y f a n’ s ulti m at e d r e a m. A l o v e r of ci n e m a si n c e y o ut h, M c L e a n h a s s p e nt m o r e t h a n a d e c a d e c r e ati n g il m s a n d t el e vi si o n s e ri e s t h at h a v e t h rill e d a u di e n c e s a r o u n d t h e gl o b e, b a s e d l a r g el y o n hi s o ri gi n al i d e a s. H e h a s a c c o m pli s h e d m o r e i n t h e l a st 1 0 y e a r s t h a n m a n y will i n t h ei r e nti r e c a r e e r, a n d hi s b e st w o r k t o d at e i s n’t e v e n o ut y et.

T h e B el k o E x p e ri m e nt , d u e i n t h e at e r s o n M a r c h 1 7, t ell s t h e t h rilli n g st o r y of 7 9 e m pl o y e e s at a n A m e ri c a n c o m p a n y i n C ol u m bi a w h o a r e f o r c e d t o kill o n e a n ot h e r o r b e kill e d aft e r t h ei r offi c e b uil di n g i s s e al e d s h ut.

T h e fil m w a s w ritt e n b y J a m e s G u n n a n d st a r s J o h n G all a g h e r J r. ( 1 0 Cl o v e rfi el d L a n e ), T o n y G ol d w y n (S c a n d al ), a n d S e a n G u n n (G u a r di a n s Of T h e G al a x y ), a m o n g a d o z e n ot h e r n ot a bl e a ct o r s.

At t h e b e gi n ni n g of 2 0 1 7 w e s p o k e wit h M c L e a n, w h o w a s e nj o yi n g a b ri ef b r e a k b et w e e n p r oj e ct s, a b o ut hi s w o r k o n T h e B el k o E x p e ri m e nt a n d w h at it t a k e s t o s u r p ri s e m o vi e g o e r s i n a n o v e r s at u r at e d m a r k et pl a c e.

W h e n di d y o u i r st l e a r n of t hi s p r oj e ct ?

G R E G M C L E A N: W e s h ot t h e y e a r b ef o r e l a st ( 2 0 1 5). T h e s c ri pt c a m e m y w a y, a n d I h a d n’t h e a r d a n yt hi n g a b o ut it. I’ m a bi g J a m e s G u n n f a n, s o I i m m e di at el y r e a d it a n d it w a s o n e of t h o s e r a r e m o m e nt s w h e r e y o u r e a d s o m et hi n g a n d k n o w it’ s w h at y o u h a v e t o d o n e xt. It w a s j u st s o g o o d, s o f u n n y, s o vi ol e nt, a n d s o cl e v e r. I c all e d m y a g e nt a n d t ol d hi m t o d o w h at e v e r h e h a d t o d o.

S o y o u k n e w ri g ht a w a y it w a s t h e m o vi e f o r y o u ?

I s a w t h e w h ol e m o vi e a n d I k n e w h o w t o d o it. Wit hi n a w e e k o r t w o I b a si c all y

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p ut m y t h o u g ht s d o w n i n a vi s u al w a y t o e x pl ai n t h e b e st w a y t o d o it. W h at I t h o u g ht w a s a m a zi n g w a s h a vi n g t h e s e v e r y r e ali sti c r el ati o n s hi p s, b ut at t h e s a m e ti m e h a d t hi s m a s si v e i d e a. I t h o u g ht t h e k e y t o it w a s m a ki n g it a s b eli e v a bl e a s p o s si bl e a n d r e ali sti c a s p o s si bl e, w hil e at t h e s a m e ti m e g oi n g f e et i r st i nt o t h e c r a zi n e s s of it.

T h e r e i s s o m et hi n g a b o ut t h e il m t h at b ri n g s t o mi n d m o vi e s li k e Ai r p o rt 1 9 7 5 a n d T h e P o s ei d o n A d v e nt u r e w h e r e y o u h a v e a l a r g e c a st of r el at a bl e c h a r a ct e r s i n a c r a z y sit u ati o n.

T h e r e i s c e rt ai nl y a ‘ 7 0 s di s a st e r m o vi e el e m e nt p r e s e nt. I l o v e t h o s e m o vi e s.

W h e n y o u si g n e d o n, w a s t h er e a n y g ui d a n c e gi v e n fr o m J a m e s G u n n a b o ut h o w y o u s h o ul d t a c kl e t h e s cri pt ?

W e s p e nt a l ot of ti m e t al ki n g a b o ut w h at it w a s a n d w h at w e t h o u g ht it c o ul d b e. It w a s gr e at b e c a u s e I g ot t o t hr o w o ut a l ot of i d e a s a n d pi c k J a m e s’ br ai n a bit.

N ot e v er yt hi n g g ot t hr o u g h, b ut w e j ell e d a l ot o n w h at t h e il m c o ul d b e. J a m e s o b vi o u sl y h a d a n i d e a, a n d f or hi m it w a s r e all y a b o ut i n di n g s o m e o n e w h o s h ar e d t h at vi si o n. I t hi n k hi s i nt er e st i n m e i s t h at m y il m s h a v e f o c u s e d o n v er y str o n g p erf or m a n c e s. W e b ot h l o v e a ct or s.

T o n y G ol d w y n a s B a r r y N o r ri s

Di d Mi c h a el R o o k e r c o m e wit h t h e s c ri pt ?

T hi s i s hi s f o u rt h c o n s e c uti v e a p p e a r a n c e i n s o m et hi n g G u n n w r ot e.

T h at i s a r e al i nt er e sti n g q u e sti o n b e c a u s e t h er e i s a st a bl e of J a m e s G u n n a ct or s t hr o u g h o ut hi s w or k. T h e a n s w er i s n ot r e all y, b ut I a ct u all y h a d t h e s a m e q u e sti o n. I t ol d hi m t h at t h e r ol e c o ul d n’t h a v e b e e n pl a y e d b y a n y o n e el s e, a n d h e g e n ui n el y t ol d m e h e j u st wr ot e t h e r ol e. M a y b e h e d o e s it s u b c o n s ci o u sl y, b ut w e lit er all y st art e d c a sti n g a n d h e w a s at t h e t o p of b ot h o ur li st s f or t h e p art.

C a sti n g i s al w a y s a l ot of f u n, e s p e ci all y w h e n y o u g et t o c a st t hi s m a n y r ol e s. W e h a d t h e o p p o rt u nit y t o w o r k wit h a l ot of g r e at p e o pl e w e c o ul d n’t b eli e v e w e c o ul d g et f o r a m o vi e li k e t hi s a n d w e h a d a g r e at e x p e ri e n c e. It w a s o n e of t h e g r e at e n s e m bl e e x p e ri e n c e s of m y lif e.

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W rit e r J a m e s G u n n (l eft) a n d Di r e ct o r G r e g M c L e a n ( ri g ht)

S o m e of t h e s e c h a r a ct e r s a r e f a r r e m o v e d f r o m t h e r ol e s w e’ r e a c c u st o m e d t o s e ei n g t h e m p e rf o r m.

F o r e x a m pl e, t hi s i s t h e i r st ti m e J o h n G all a g h e r J r. h a s pl a y e d t h e ‘ h e r o’ r ol e i n a il m. H o w di d y o u k n o w h e w a s y o u r l e a di n g m a n ?

I t hi n k it c o m e s d o w n t o t h e n oti o n t h at h e i s ki n d of a n e v e r y m a n c h a r a ct e r. H e n e e d s t o b e li k e u s a n d n ot t h e o b vi o u s c h oi c e of s o m e o n e t o s a v e t h e d a y. H e’ s ki n d of t h e m o r al c e nt e r of t hi s d e c a yi n g w o rl d, a n d I t hi n k J o h n — w h o i s a r e all y e st a bli s h e d t h e at e r a ct o r — h a s a l ot of f u n d oi n g a c r a z y g e n r e il m li k e t hi s. It still r e q ui r e s t h e s a m e s kill s a n d a c e rt ai n l e v el of f o c u s, b ut it’ s c o m pl et el y di f e r e nt.

T h e r e i s m o r e h u m o r i n t hi s st o r y t h a n a n y of y o u r p r e vi o u s il m s. W a s it a c h all e n g e t o b al a n c e t h e h u m o r i n t h e di al o g u e wit h t h e vi ol e n c e i n t h e st o r y ?

Y o u’ r e ri g ht. T h at w a s a bi g a p p e al t o m e wit h t hi s fil m. It’ s ki n d of li k e Bl a c k C o m e d y: T h e M o vi e b e c a u s e y o u’ r e c o u nt e r p oi nti n g e xt r e m e vi ol e n c e wit h e xt r e m el y hil a ri o u s r e a cti o n s a n d c o m m e nt a r y, w hi c h i s p r ett y f u n n y. T h e m o vi e pl a y s i nt o y o u r e x p e ct ati o n s of a m o vi e li k e t hi s a n d t h e p e o pl e i n t h e m s o it c a n s u r p ri s e y o u l at e r o n.

W h at att r a ct s y o u t o a st o r y li k e t hi s ? [ A s a il m m a k e r] I t hi n k t h e c h all e n g e i s pi c ki n g t hi n g s t h at will g e n ui n el y s u r p ri s e a n d d eli g ht a n a u di e n c e. T h e r e i s

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al m o st a T a r a nti n o q u alit y t o t hi s, I t hi n k, b e c a u s e it’ s a c h a r a ct e r pi e c e. T h e r e i s a h u g e c o n c e pt, b ut it’ s r e all y j u st a hil a ri o u s di al o g u e a b o ut t h e s e c h a r a ct e r s e x p e ri e n ci n g a bi z a r r e sit u ati o n.

T h e r e i s a l ot of p r a cti c al e f e ct s w o r k at pl a y i n t h e il m. C a n y o u s p e a k t o t h at d e ci si o n a n d w h at y o u di d t o m a k e it h a p p e n?

T o d d M a st e r s, w h o w o r k e d wit h J a m e s [ G u n n] o n Slit h e r , c a m e t o C ol u m bi a wit h u s t o m a k e t h e il m. W e c o n s ci o u sl y st a rt e d t o i n d a w a y t o d o a s m u c h a s p o s si bl e p r a cti c all y b e c a u s e it l o o k s m u c h b ett e r a n d w e f elt it w o ul d gi v e t h e il m a m o r e vi s c e r al q u alit y. Di git al bl o o d c a n b e v e r y g o o d, b ut it i s v e r y h a r d t o g et ri g ht. T e xt u r all y, w e t h o u g ht it w o ul d b e ri g ht t o d o t hi s t h e ol d f a s hi o n e d w a y.

T h e t hi r d a ct i n p a rti c ul a r i s p r ett y i n s a n e.

All t h at i s r e all y t h e r e o n t h e s et. It i s w h at it i s. W e a r e t h r o wi n g M ol ot o v c o c kt ail s at t h e a ct o r s. T h e r e i s a s c e n e w h e r e J o h n G all a g h e r a n d A d ri a [ A rj o n a] a r e r u n ni n g u p t h e st ai r s, a n d t h at i s t h e m r e all y r u n ni n g f r o m u s t h r o wi n g a M ol ot o v c o c kt ail at t h e m. It w a s f u n f o r e v e r y o n e, b ut I’ m n ot s o s u r e w e w o ul d h a v e g ott e n a w a y wit h all of it if w e h a d n’t il m e d i n C ol u m bi a.

T h e s o u n dt r a c k i s l a r g el y c o m p ri s e d of S p a ni s h c o v e r s of cl a s si c A m e ri c a n p o p

s o n g s. C a n y o u t ell m e a bit a b o ut t h e m oti v ati o n s b e hi n d t h at c h oi c e ?

T h e i r st ti m e I r e a d t h e s c ri pt I c a m e u p wit h t h e i d e a t h at t h e c o m p a n y w o ul d h a v e a r a di o st ati o n a n d t h at t h e y w o ul d b e pl a yi n g all t h e s o n g s t h at a r e ki n d of c o n si d e r e d A m e ri c a n cl a s si c s. T hi s, a g ai n, g o e s b a c k t o c o u nt e r p oi nti n g t h e e xt r e m e vi ol e n c e.

I t hi n k I f o u n d a S p a ni s h c o v e r of s o m e s o n g o nli n e, a n d f r o m t h e r e w e d e ci d e d t o u s e c o v e r s o n g s. T yl e r B at e s, o u r i n c r e di bl e c o m p o s e r — h e e v e nt u all y r e arr a n g e d a n d r er e c or d e d t h e s o n g s w e c h o s e wit h a S p a ni s h si n g e r i n L o s A n g el e s f o r t h e m o vi e, gi vi n g u s t h e s e f a nt a sti c o ri gi n al c o v e r s f o r t h e il m.

Y o u h a v e a hi st o r y i n h o r r o r, a n d w hil e t hi s d e i nit el y h a s el e m e nt s of y o u r p r e vi o u s w o r k t h e r e a r e a l ot of ot h e r i d e a s at pl a y a s w ell. S o a s a st o r yt ell e r, w h er e d o y o u g o fr o m h er e ?

I di r e ct e d t h e T V s e ri e s b a s e d o n m y fil m, W olf C r e e k , l a st y e a r. T h e n I s h ot a n ot h e r fil m t h at I fi ni s h n e xt w e e k, t h at I s h ot ri g ht aft e r t hi s o n e. It’ s a r e al-lif e s u r vi v al t h rill e r a b o ut a y o u n g I s r a eli g u y w h o g ot l o st i n t h e A m a z o n i n 1 9 9 1. H e a n d t w o f ri e n d s m et a g ui d e, w e nt o n a j u n gl e a d v e nt u r e, a n d o nl y t w o c a m e o ut ali v e. It’ s a r e all y i n c r e di bl e st o r y a b o ut s u r vi v al a n d s pi rit u al t r a n sf o r m ati o n.

T h e m o vi e a n d b o o k a r e c all e d J u n gl e , a n d it st a r s D a ni el R a d cliff e. A s f o r n e xt y e a r, w e s h all s e e. S

M O RE T HA N H O R RO R I N T E R VI E W: L ei g h M o n s o n

2 0 1 7 i s a bi g y e a r f o r il m m a k e r E ri c E n gl a n d, m o st w ell- k n o w n f o r h o r r o r il m s s u c h a s M a di s o n C o u nt y a n d C o nt r a ct e d . J a n u a r y s a w t h e r el e a s e of hi s i r st n o n- h o r r o r il m, G et T h e Gi rl , a n d l at e r t hi s y e a r w e’ll g et a n ot h e r il m, H u nt s vill e . W e h a d t h e o p p o rt u nit y t o sit d o w n wit h M r. E n gl a n d t o di s c u s s hi s p r o c e s s, hi s p e r s p e cti v e s o n t h e il m i n d u st r y, a n d h o w hi s u ni q u e vi si o n a f e ct s hi s w o r k.

Y o u r l at e st il m, G et T h e Gi rl , w a s j u st r el e a s e d t h r o u g h O ri o n Pi ct u r e s. H o w di d t h at d e al c o m e t o g et h e r, a n d w h at w a s it li k e w o r ki n g wit h s u c h a n i c o ni c br a n d ?

E RI C E N G L A N D: T h e d e al c a m e t o g et h e r ki n d of o ut of n o w h e r e, t o b e h o n e st.

W e o ri gi n all y li c e n s e d a n d s ol d t h e p r oj e ct t o a c o m p a n y c all e d V e rti c al E nt e rt ai n m e nt, w h o i s still t e c h ni c all y t h e di st ri b ut o r. B ut M G M, w h o o w n s O ri o n, h a d c o m e i n a n d p u r c h a s e d a b u n c h of f o r ei g n t e r rit o ri e s t o r el e a s e t h e m o vi e i n a n d [ G et T h e Girl ] e s s e nti all y h a s b e e n g r a n df at h e r e d i nt o O ri o n Pi ct u r e s’ sl at e i n c o nj u n cti o n wit h V e rti c al E nt e rt ai n m e nt. R e g a r dl e s s, s e ei n g t h at l o g o at t h e f r o nt of t h e m o vi e w a s a d r e a m c o m e t r u e. It’ s e x citi n g a n d it’ s b e e n g r e at t o s e e t h e a u di e n c e’ s r e a cti o n a n d h e a r p e o pl e a p p r e ci at e it.

T h e il m r e c ei v e d a li mit e d r el e a s e o n t h e s a m e d a y it hit V O D s e r vi c e s. A s a il m m a k e r, h o w d o y o u f e el a b o ut t hi s r el e a s e m o d el ?

It’ s t o u g h. I t hi n k it’ s g r e at b e c a u s e it all o w s a c c e s s t o t h e fil m f o r p e o pl e w h o d o n’t h a v e it i n a t h e at e r n e a r t h e m, w hi c h i s g r e at. B ut e v e n if it i s i n a t h e at e r n e a r y o u —li k e i n L. A.,

b e c a u s e L. A. i s s o s c att e r e d —it’ s e a si e r f o r s o m e p e o pl e t o j u st st a y h o m e a n d w at c h it o n V O D. I n t h at r e g a r d I r e all y li k e it, b ut at t h e s a m e ti m e, pi r a c y i s a m a s si v e i s s u e a n d t h e m o m e nt y o u r m o vi e i s r el e a s e d o nli n e, t h e r e’ s v e r y littl e y o u c a n d o t o st o p it f r o m s p r e a di n g e v e r y w h e r e. I n t h at w a y I r e all y a d mi r e a n d a p p r e ci at e t h e t r a diti o n al t h e at ri c al m o d el b e c a u s e y o u h a v e t o g o t o t h e t h e at e r t o s e e t h e fil m a n d t h e r e’ s a p r ol o n g e d r oll o ut, w hi c h all o w s t h e m o vi e t o h a v e a bit of lif e, e s p e ci all y fi n a n ci all y.

W h e n y o u’ r e m a ki n g a il m, d o y o u c o n c ei v e it m o r e f o r t h e at ri c al vi e wi n g t h a n t h e s m all s c r e e n ? H o w d o y o u p ri m a ril y w a nt it t o b e s e e n ?

I t hi n k I w a nt t h e m o vi e t o b e s e e n i n a t h e at e r a s m u c h a s p o s si bl e. It’ s f u n n y b e c a u s e e v e n a s a il m m a k e r y o u n e v e r r e all y k n o w h o w y o u r m o vi e’ s g oi n g t o pl a y u ntil it’ s d o n e. S o s e ei n g it i n t h e t h e at e r i s al w a y s a r e all y e x citi n g e x p e ri e n c e.

I n m y o pi ni o n, m o st m o vi e s a r e b ett e r i n t h e ci n e m a, b ut t h e r e a r e c e rt ai n il m s t h at a r e d e si g n e d f o r t h e s m all s c r e e n. A s a il m m a k e r i n t o d a y’ s m a r k et pl a c e, I’ m k e e pi n g m y e y e o n t h e t h e at ri c al, b ut k n o wi n g t h at t h e m aj o rit y of p e o pl e a r e g oi n g t o s e e m y m o vi e at h o m e o n t h ei r T V o r o n t h ei r c o m p ut e r — t h at’ s j u st p a rt of t h e a rt f o r m.

G et T h e Gi rl i s a littl e di f e r e nt t h a n y o u r p r e vi o u s w o r k s i n t h at it st r a y e d f r o m b ei n g st ri ctl y a h o r r o r m o vi e. H o w di d t hi s p r oj e ct i niti all y c o m e t o g et h e r ?

It c a m e t o g et h e r o f t h e t ail s of C o nt r a ct e d . C o nt r a ct e d c a m e o ut a n d h a d a l ot of s u c c e s s, w hi c h o p e n e d a l ot of n e w a n d e x citi n g d o o r s t o n e w m o vi e s, a n d a l ot of t h o s e w e r e m o r e t r a diti o n al g e n r e m o vi e s. I w a s e x pl o ri n g t h o s e f o r q uit e a w hil e, a n d r e all y it c a m e d o w n t o b ei n g c h all e n g e d b y p r o d u c e r s a n d c o m p a ni e s w hil e I w a s p u r s ui n g ot h e r il m s. I w a s b ei n g t ol d t h at p e o pl e s a w m e a s a p r e d o mi n a ntl y h o r r o r g e n r e di r e ct o r, s o I ki n d a w a nt e d t o b r e a k t h at m ol d a littl e bit. I w a s r e all y e x cit e d t o t r y s o m et hi n g n e w w hil e I h a d a bit of f r e e d o m. I w a nt e d t o t a k e t h at o p p o rt u nit y t o t r y s o m et hi n g di f e r e nt a n d t a k e a bit of a ri s k.

M a n y p e o pl e d o n’t k n o w t hi s, b ut y o u’ r e o n e of t h e f e w c ol o r bli n d il m m a k e r s w o r ki n g i n H oll y w o o d t o d a y. C a n y o u s p e a k a bit t o t h at e x p e ri e n c e ?

It’ s al w a y s h ar d f or m e t o q u a ntif y it or e x pl ai n it t o p e o pl e

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b e c a u s e I o nl y s e e t h e w orl d h o w I s e e t h e w orl d. I d o n’t k n o w w h at ki n d of e f e ct it h a s o n m y m o vi e s ot h er t h a n t h at I t e n d t o u s e v er y vi vi d a n d s at ur at e d c ol or s. E v e n i n m y ir st m o vi e, M a di s o n C o u nt y , w hi c h t a k e s pl a c e al m o st e ntir el y o ut si d e i n t h e d a yli g ht — a p p ar e ntl y p e o pl e s a y t h e c ol or s ar e r e all y vi vi d a n d s at ur at e d. I t hi n k t h at j u st c o m e s fr o m m e b ei n g a bl e t o s e e m or e s at ur at e d c ol or s. W h e n I’ m t al ki n g t o m y cr e w m e m b er s, I s p e a k i n t er m s of m o o d s a n d t o n e s s o t h at t h e y u n d er st a n d t h e c ol or p al at e f or w h at I’ m tr yi n g t o a c hi e v e.

T h a n kf ull y I’ll n e v er e n d u p wit h a il m wit h bl u e i n it w h er e I di d n’t w a nt it, b ut I d e i nit el y u s e c ol or t o m y a d v a nt a g e t o h el p g et m y p oi nt a cr o s s, pr o b a bl y i n a m or e h e a v y- h a n d e d w a y t h a n ot h er il m m a k er s j u st b e c a u s e it h el p s m e s e e.

I d o n’t k n o w if t h at’ s a g o o d t hi n g or a b a d t hi n g, b ut I’ m t ol d it l e a v e s a bit of a tr a d e m ar k i n m y w or k.

Y o u r n e xt p r oj e ct, H u nt s vill e , i s al s o d u e o ut l at e r t hi s y e a r. W h at c a n y o u t ell m e a b o ut it ?

H u nt s vill e i s a g ai n a bit of a d e p a rt u r e f r o m w h at I’ m k n o w n f o r. It’ s a c o m pl et e c h a r a ct e r d r a m a, a sli c e of lif e i n t h e v ei n of s o m et hi n g li k e Sli n g bl a d e . It st a r s D yl a n M c D e r m ot a n d S o p hi e T u r n e r f r o m G a m e Of T h r o n e s . It’ s m y fi r st ti m e di r e cti n g a s c r e e n pl a y I di d n’t w rit e, a n d t h e m o vi e w a s s o m et hi n g t h at I h a d o n t h e t a bl e s h o rtl y aft e r I fi ni s h e d s h o oti n g G et T h e Gi rl . It t o o k u s a w hil e t o g et it u p a n d r u n ni n g, b ut it w a s a c h all e n g e t h at I w a nt e d t o t a k e o n. I w a nt e d t o t a k e a st e p i n a n e w di r e cti o n, a n d H u nt s vill e s e e m e d li k e t h e p e rf e ct w a y t o d o t h at. S

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T h e m u si c s c e n e of 2 0 1 7 i s b ot h st ri ki n gl y di f e r e nt f r o m a n d o d dl y si mil a r t o t h e m u si c s c e n e of 2 0 0 5. E m o i s di s c u s s e d r e g ul a rl y, W a r p e d T o u r i s ali v e a n d w ell, a n d a n ni v e r s a r y t o u r s l et u s c el e b r at e t h e al b u m s a n d a rti st s w h o st ol e o u r h e a rt s o v e r a d e c a d e a g o. S o m e of t h e m o st p r o mi n e nt b a n d s of t h e e a rl y 2 0 0 0 s h a v e di s b a n d e d o r st o p p e d m a ki n g m u si c w hil e ot h e r s h a v e r ei n v e nt e d t h e m s el v e s e nti r el y t o f o r m n e w p r oj e ct s. O n e b a n d f r o m t hi s e r a s e e mi n gl y di s a p p e a r e d aft e r r el e a si n g a n al b u m t h at m a n y c o n si d e r t h ei r all-ti m e f a v o rit e, b ut f o rt u n at el y t h at w a s n’t t h e e n d of t h ei r st o r y.

F o r m a n y y e a r s, t h e i d e a of n e w m u si c f r o m A c c e pt a n c e di d n’t l o o k p r o mi si n g. Fl a s h-f o r w a r d t o 2 0 1 5 a n d, t o t h e a m a z e m e nt of m a n y, t h e b a n d a n n o u n c e d a r e u ni o n. Vi rt u all y e v e r y m u si c f a n p ri v y t o t h e g e n r e a n d t h e w o r k s of A c c e pt a n c e h a d s o m et hi n g t o s a y a b o ut t h e r e vi v al of t hi s S e attl e-

b a s e d o ut it, a n d t h o s e w h o att e n d e d t h ei r p e rf o r m a n c e at t h e S k at e A n d S u rf F e sti v al i n N e w J e r s e y, a s w ell a s t h e s u b s e q u e nt s h o w at G r a m e r c y T h e at r e i n N e w Y o r k, s e e m e d g e n ui n el y i n s pi r e d. S e ei n g p e o pl e s o p a s si o n at e a b o ut a b a n d i s i n c r e di bl e, a n d i n t u r n, t h at p a s si o n i n s pi r e d t h e m u si ci a n s t h e m s el v e s. “ W e w er e a b a n d f or a l o n g ti m e, st a rti n g w h e n w e w e r e t e e n a g e r s. W e st a rt e d t h e b a n d i n 1 9 9 7 a n d e n d e d u p st o p pi n g i n 2 0 0 6,” n ot e s A c c e pt a n c e v o c ali st J a s o n V e n a. “ P a rt of w h at g ot t h e b a n d b a c k t o g et h e r w a s t hi s i d e a t h at t h e r e w a s a l ot m o r e i nt e r e st i n t h e b a n d t h a n w e’ d e v e r e x p e ct e d.” Y e a r s a g o w h e n t h e g r o u p r el e a s e d t h ei r d e b ut al b u m, P h a nt o m s , t h e p r o c e s s w a s m u c h di f e r e nt t h a n a n yt hi n g t h e y h a d a nti ci p at e d. “ W e p ut o ut o u r i r st f ull-l e n gt h r e c o r d o ut al m o st 1 1 y e a r s a g o, a n d it’ s a f u n n y st o r y. T h e r e c o r d w a s c o mi n g o ut o n C ol u m bi a R e c o r d s

a n d t h e y w e r e e x cit e d f o r it. It w a s g oi n g t o b e a r e c o r d t h at h a d b a c ki n g f r o m a m aj o r l a b el a n d t h at w a s v e r y i m p o rt a nt f o r u s,” r e c all s V e n a. “I still r e m e m b e r h a vi n g o n e of t h e i r st p r o m oti o n al m e eti n g s wit h t h e l a b el. B a c k t h e n, s o ci al m e di a w a s r e all y t h e r e i n t h e f o r m of sit e s li k e A b s ol ut e P u n k. I n o u r w o rl d, m e s s a g e b o a r d s w e r e t h e s o ci al m e di a,” h e n ot e s b ef o r e a d di n g t h at t h e l a b el n e v e r pl a n n e d t o m a r k et t h e b a n d i n t h at di git al r e al m. “ T h e y di d n’t u n d e r st a n d —t h e I nt e r n et w a s n’t a ‘t hi n g’ li k e it i s n o w.”

“It’ s f a s ci n ati n g a n d s o di f e r e nt f r o m w h at it w a s b ef o r e,” a d d s b a s si st R y a n Z wi ef el h of e r. “ N o b o d y r e all y w a nt e d t o h a r n e s s w h at w a s h a p p e ni n g i n a n o nli n e s p a c e t h e n. W e s a w it wit h P h a nt o m s — b ei n g a bl e t o st r e a m o r d o w nl o a d. T h e l a b el di d n’t k n o w w h at t o d o wit h t h at.”

T h e p r o c e s s of r el e a si n g m u si c a n d r e a c hi n g f a n s h a s c h a n g e d si g ni i c a ntl y si n c e 2 0 0 6, a n d t h e b a n d c o ul d n’t b e h a p pi e r t o t a k e a d v a nt a g e of t h e n e w o p p o rt u niti e s t o c o n n e ct. “ T h e w o rl d h a s j u st g ott e n a l ot s m all e r. It’ s e a s y t o g et y o u r s elf i n f r o nt of p e o pl e wit h o ut h a vi n g t o t o u r all t h e ti m e. W e n e v e r r e all y h a d t h at o p p o rt u nit y; it t o o k b ei n g o ut i n f r o nt of f ol k s f o r ni n e m o nt h s o ut of t h e y e a r t o h a v e t h e s a m e e f e ct t h at y o u c o ul d wit h b ei n g c o n n e ct e d wit h f a n s a n d p e o pl e w h o c a r e a b o ut w h at y o u’ r e d oi n g o nli n e,” s a y s Z wi ef el h of e r.

A c c e pt a n c e m a d e a n i m p a ct o n f a n s w h e n P h a nt o m s i r st c a m e o ut, b ut t h e a i nit y f o r t h e r e c o r d o nl y g r e w o v e r ti m e. P e o pl e h a d ti m e a n d t h e a bilit y t o di s c o v e r t h e m u si c wit h e a s e. I n 2 0 1 3, B a d Ti mi n g R e c o r d s r el e a s e d 1, 0 0 0 c o pi e s of P h a nt o m s o n vi n yl a c r o s s t h r e e di f e r e nt v a ri a nt s.

E v e r y c o p y s ol d o ut al m o st i n st a ntl y, a n d w h e n t h e b a n d h e a r d a b o ut it, t h e i d e a of f a n s b ei n g t h at p a s si o n at e a n d s u p p o rti v e st a rt e d t o f u el t h ei r i d e a s f o r t h e f ut u r e. O n c e t h e o p p o rt u nit y a r o s e f o r t h e r e u ni o n at S k at e A n d S u rf, t h e b a n d k n e w t h e y c o ul d n’t p a s s t h at u p. “It h a p p e n e d s o o r g a ni c all y,” Z wi ef el h of e r r e c all s. “ W h e n w e r e all y st a rt e d t o r e ali z e t h at t hi s w a s a t hi n g p e o pl e w e r e t al ki n g a b o ut a n d r e all y c a r e a b o ut, I t hi n k it m a d e t h e d e ci si o n p r ett y e a s y f o r u s. E v e n b ei n g i n t h e s a m e r o o m f o r r e h e a r s al s b ef o r e t h at S k at e A n d S u rf s h o w f elt di f e r e nt. It f elt li k e t h e b e st p a rt s of w h e n w e w e r e d oi n g t hi s 1 0 y e a r s a g o.” “ T h e r e w a s a c o n v e r s ati o n b et w e e n u s a b o ut w h at w o ul d h a p p e n if w e w e nt p a st a f e w c o n c e rt s,” V e n a s a y s. “ W e d e ci d e d t h at if w e w e nt p a st t h at, it h a d t o b e a b o ut s o m et hi n g m o r e. Y o u h a v e t o b e e v ol vi n g a n d c o n n e cti n g wit h n e w p e o pl e a n d r e c o n n e cti n g wit h t h o s e w h o l o v e P h a nt o m s a n d gi vi n g t h e m s o m et hi n g n e w t o f all i n l o v e wit h.” T h at w a s t h e m e nt alit y w h e n t h e b a n d s et o ut t o w rit e a n d r e c o r d t h ei r n e w al b u m. T h e y k n o w h o w s p e ci al P h a nt o m s h a s b e c o m e t o t h ei r li st e n e r s, b ut t h e y di d n’t w a nt t o t r y t o m a k e t h e e x a ct s a m e r e c o r d o v e r 1 0 y e a r s l at e r. “ W h e n w e m a d e P h a nt o m s, w e j u st w a nt e d t o m a k e t h e b e st r e c o r d w e p o s si bl y c o ul d a n d w e w a nt e d it t o b e r e al.

W e f e el li k e r e g a r dl e s s of t h e s o u n d of t h e m u si c, w e c o ul d p ot e nti all y gi v e o u r f a n s t h e s a m e f e eli n g if w e d o it t h at w a y a g ai n,” e x pl ai n s V e n a. “ T h at’ s w h at w e di d wit h t hi s r e c o r d — w e w e nt i n wit h t h e mi n d s et of w h at e v e r w e d o, w e n e e d t o f e el it a n d b e 1 0 0 p e r c e nt i n.”

T h e b a n d’ s s o p h o m o r e al b u m, C olli di n g B y D e si g n , c a pt u r e s t h e f e eli n g of a n A c c e pt a n c e r e c o r d wit h o ut b ei n g a n e x a ct c o p y of t h ei r p r e vi o u s w o r k. T h e b a n d ai m e d t o c r e at e s o m et hi n g t h at r e l e ct s t h e p a s si n g of ti m e a n d di s c u s s e s s o m et hi n g r e al, a n d e a c h of t h e 1 1 t r a c k s d o e s j u st t h at.

“I’ v e h a d 1 0 y e a r s a w a y f r o m m u si c a n d I’ v e g o n e t h r o u g h a l ot i n m y lif e,” s h a r e s V e n a. “I r e c o n n e ct e d wit h t h e s e g u y s i n t h e b a n d a n d w e’ r e s o di f e r e nt f r o m w h at w e w e r e 1 0 y e a r s a g o, a n d t h at w a s r e all y i m p o rt a nt t o m e.

T a ki n g t h at i n a n d w riti n g a b o ut it w a s r e all y c o ol.”

W h e n a s k e d a b o ut hi s f a v o rit e s o n g o n C olli di n g B y D e si g n , V e n a di d n’t h e sit at e b ef o r e n a mi n g “ W e C a n E s c a p e.” “ T h at s o n g i s bi g f o r m e.

It’ s r e all y a b o ut m y r el ati o n s hi p wit h o u r d r u m m e r, G a r r ett L u n c ef o r d ,” h e s h a r e s. W hil e t h e b a n d r et u r n e d t o t h ei r c u r r e nt li n e u p f o r C olli di n g , t h e r e h a d b e e n a f e w r o st e r c h a n g e s t h r o u g h o ut t h e g r o u p’ s c a r e e r. “ B ef o r e w e g ot b a c k t o g et h e r, I h a d n’t t al k e d t o G a r r ett i n a l o n g ti m e a n d t h e n w e r e c o n n e ct e d. T h e s o n g i s a b o ut m e g r o wi n g a s a p e r s o n a n d l e a r ni n g a l ot a b o ut lif e a n d h o w t o l o v e.” T h e w o r ki n g titl e of t h at s o n g w a s “ F e el s” a n d it’ s e a s y t o s e e w h y, b ut t h e t h e m e of t h o u g htf ul n e s s a n d h o n e st e m oti o n r u n s t h r o u g h t h e r e c o r d a s a w h ol e.

It’ s s o m et hi n g e s p e ci all y p r e s e nt i n t h e s o n g “ 7 3.”

a n d b e t h e b e st y o u y o u c a n p o s si bl y b e — h o w e v e r t h at l o o k s,” s h a r e s V e n a.

Wit h t h e c h o r u s li n g e ri n g o n t h e w o r d s “I’ m still h e r e,” it s e r v e s a s a b e a c o n of h o p e f o r b ot h t h e b a n d a n d t h ei r l o y al li st e n e r s.

C olli di n g B y D e si g n h a s gi v e n t h e b a n d a n o p p o rt u nit y t o b ot h r e l e ct o n t h e p a st a n d l o o k t o t h e f ut u r e.

T h e y h a v e a l ot pl a n n e d f o r t hi s n e w e r a, b ut t h e y al s o st ri v e t o s et a n e x a m pl e f o r b a n d s j u st g etti n g t h ei r st a rt. V e n a st r e s s e s t h e i m p o rt a n c e of c oll a b o r ati o n a n d a s ki n g f o r h el p a n d o pi ni o n s, e s p e ci all y e a rl y o n i n a g r o u p’ s c a r e e r. “ Y o u s h o ul d n’t all o w y o u r p r e c o n c ei v e d n oti o n s t o b e s o st r o n g t h at y o u c a n’t e v ol v e a n d g r o w,” he adds R el e a si n g a n e w r e c o r d i s n’t all t h at t h e b a n d h a s pl a n n e d f o r 2 0 1 7. “ W e’ r e v e r y p a s si o n at e a b o ut h a vi n g a l ot f o r o u r f a n s t o c o n n e ct wit h a n d

If y o u’ r e a f a n of A c c e pt a n c e a n d y o u’ r e h a p p y t h at w e’ r e a b a n d a g ai n, k n o w t h at

y o u a r e t h e s ol e r e a s o n f o r t h at.”

—J A S O N VE N A V e n a e x pl ai n s, “ W hil e r e c o r di n g, w e w e r e all c o n n e ct e d t o t h e m o vi e Al m o st F a m o u s . T h e w o r ki n g titl e f o r t h at s o n g w a s ' Still w at e r,' w hi c h i s t h e n a m e of t h e b a n d i n t h at m o vi e. ’ 7 3 i s t h e y e a r t h at t h e y w e nt o n t o u r s o t h at’ s w h e r e t h e s o n g titl e c o m e s f r o m, a n d it’ s t h e i r st titl e I’ v e e v e r u s e d w h e r e it d o e s n’t r el at e t o t h e s o n g it s elf.” “ T h at’ s a ct u all y a g r e at l o o k at h o w w e’ v e a p p r o a c h e d t hi s t hi n g,” n ot e s Z wi ef el h of e r. “It’ s a v e r y i m p o rt a nt p r oj e ct f o r all of u s a n d w e’ r e p utti n g o u r s el v e s i nt o it. It w a s n’t a j o k e titl e, b ut it w a s t h e m o m e nt t h at w e w e r e t r yi n g t o c a pt u r e. E v e r y e x p e ri e n c e h a s g o n e i nt o t hi s r e c o r d s o m e w h e r e,” h e a d d s. “ T h e titl e ‘ 7 3’ i s a r e all y c o n s ci o u s, p oi g n a nt, c o ol n o d t o w h at w e t ri e d t o p ut i nt o t hi s r e c o r d.”

L y ri c all y, t h e s o n g a d d r e s s e s a m o m e nt of q u e sti o ni n g t h e di r e cti o n of y o u r lif e. “I w a s d e ali n g wit h l o s s a n d ot h e r t hi n g s, a n d t h e r e ali z ati o n t h at y o u h a v e t o b e a bl e t o pi c k y o u r s elf u p

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f o r u s t o p ut o ut t h e r e. W e’ r e t r yi n g t o m a n a g e o u r a d ult li v e s, a n d t h r o u g h t al ki n g t o ot h e r b a n d s it s e e m s li k e w e’ r e all t r yi n g t o i g u r e t h at o ut,” V e n a s h a r e s. “ S o w h at’ s t h e b al a n c e w h e r e y o u c a n l o v e m u si c a n d l o v e pl a yi n g m u si c, st a y c o n n e ct e d t o t h e p e o pl e w h o a r e s u p p o rti n g y o u a n d w a nt t o h e a r y o u r m u si c ? T h at’ s w h at w e’ r e n a vi g ati n g ri g ht n o w.”

T h e y s e e m o f t o a g r e at st a rt wit h i n di n g t h at b al a n c e. T h e g r o u p will j oi n T a ki n g B a c k S u n d a y f o r a r u n of s h o w s i n A u st r ali a t hi s M a r c h. A s f o r f a n s i n t h e U. S., t h e b a n d s a y s y o u’ll li k el y s e e t h e m i n a t o w n n e a r y o u t h r o u g h t h e s u m m e r. “ W e’ r e g r at ef ul,” a d d s Z wi ef el h of e r. “ A n ot h e r t hi n g I’ d t ell b a n d s i s t o a p p r e ci at e it. N ot a l ot of p e o pl e g et a si n gl e c h a n c e t o g o d o t hi s a n d d e i nit el y n ot a l ot of f ol k s g et t w o c h a n c e s t o d o it. W e’ r e all m o r e a p p r e ci ati v e a n d i n t u n e wit h h o w g r at ef ul w e a r e f o r t hi s o p p o rt u nit y.” S

S U B S T R E A M M A G A ZI N E //

S U B S T R E A M]

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S O U V E NI R S FR O M T HE R O A D I N T E R VI E W: J a m e s S h ot w ell / / P H O T O S: A s hti n P ai g e

1 2 y e a r s a n d s e v e n al b u m s i nt o hi s c a r e e r , D r e w H ol c o m b i s n o l o n g e r w aiti n g t o t o p t h e Bill b o a r d c h a rt s. T h e f r o nt m a n a n d p ri n ci pl e s o n g w rit e r f o r D r e w H ol c o m b a n d t h e N ei g h b o r s st o p p e d w o r r yi n g a b o ut t h e i n d u st r y at l a r g e w h e n h e r e ali z e d hi s a u di e n c e w a s m o r e t h a n l a r g e e n o u g h t o s u p p o rt hi s d r e a m s of s h a ri n g st o ri e s f r o m hi s lif e wit h t h e w o rl d. T o g et h e r wit h hi s b a n d, H ol c o m b h a s b e e n a bl e t o s ell r e c o r d s a n d pl a y s ol d- o ut v e n u e s a r o u n d t h e w o rl d wit h o ut t h e ai d e of a m aj o r l a b el o r a si n gl e t o p 1 0 hit. Hi s c a r e e r i s w h at e v e r y i n d e p e n d e nt a rti st h o p e s t o a c hi e v e, a n d if y o u a s k hi m, h e’ll t ell y o u h e’ s o nl y g etti n g st a rt e d.

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[ S U B S T R E A MM A G A ZI N E. C O M ]

A r e y o u al w a y s w o r ki n g o n n e w m u si c, o r d o y o u w ait a n d s et a si d e a s p e ci i c ti m e t o c r e at e ?

D R E W H O L C O M B: I w rit e a n d r e c o r d i n a s h o rt p e ri o d of ti m e, a n d p a rt of t h at i s o n p u r p o s e.

B ei n g a p r of e s si o n al t o u ri n g a rti st, I li k e t o t hi n k of t h e s o n g s o n t h e c u r r e nt r e c o r d a s w h at I s p e n d t h e m aj o rit y of m y e n e r g y o n. I n t h e p a st I’ v e st a rt e d w riti n g b ef o r e a n e w r e c o r d e v e n c o m e s o ut, b ut t h e n b y t h e ti m e I’ m o n t h e t o u r t h e r e a r e ot h e r, n e w e r s o n g s I w a nt t o pl a y a n d p e o pl e a r e j u st g etti n g t h e m at e ri al f r o m m y l at e st r e c o r d. I’ v e l e a r n e d t o gi v e t h e s o n g w riti n g a b r e a k a n d f o c u s o n t h e li v e s h o w.

Y o u’ v e s p e nt t h e b ett e r p a rt of t h e l a st f e w y e ar s o n t h e r o a d a n d t h er e ar e n u m er o u s g e o g r a p hi c al r ef e r e n c e s o n t hi s r e c o r d. H o w di d y o u r ti m e s p e nt t r a v eli n g i n l u e n c e t h e al b u m ?

W e di d 1 9 0 s h o w s s u p p o rti n g [ 2 0 1 5’ s] M e di ci n e . Al m o st e v e r y w h e r e w e w e nt w e w e nt m o r e t h a n o n c e, a n d t h at d e i nit el y s h o w s it s elf i n t h e m at e ri al. P a rt of t h at i s al s o d u e t o t hi s b ei n g t h e i r st r e c o r d I’ v e w ritt e n wit h m y b a n d. N ot all of t h e s o n g s, b ut a l ot of t h e s o n g s a r e c o- w ritt e n b y Ri c h B ri n s i el d a n d N at h a n D u g g e r. W h e n y o u t r a v el a s m u c h a s w e d o pl a c e s m att e r a l ot.

H o w h a s y o u r r el ati o n s hi p wit h t h e r o a d c h a n g e d si n c e t h e bi rt h of y o u r d a u g ht e r ?

W e s a y n o t o a w h ol e l ot m o r e t h a n w e u s e d t o, a n d r e all y, t h e o nl y r e a s o n t h e s u p p o rt t o u r f o r M e di ci n e w a s s o l o n g w a s b e c a u s e o u r f ri e n d s i n N E E D T O B R E A T H E i n vit e d u s o ut wit h t h e m. W e’ r e p r ett y f o rt u n at e t o li v e i n N a s h vill e b e c a u s e it’ s i n t h e mi d dl e of e v e r yt hi n g, s o w e a r e a bl e t o c o m e h o m e p r ett y m u c h e v e r y w e e k. W e c a n b e h o m e S u n d a y, M o n d a y, T u e s d a y m o st w e e k s.

I still l o v e t o u ri n g, b ut t h e t hi n g s I l o v e a b o ut it h a v e c h a n g e d. W h at I d o n’t l o v e i s t h e l o gi sti c s of it —f r o m sl e e pi n g i n a m o vi n g b u s, t o r a n d o m s h o w e r s i n b at h r o o m s. T h e t hi n g t h at still c o m e s ali v e f o r m e i s h o w e v e r y si n gl e s h o w i s di f e r e nt. E v e r y v e n u e i s di f e r e nt. E v e r y c r o w d i s di f e r e nt.

R e c e ntl y, w e st a rt e d t a ki n g r e q u e st s i n t h e l att e r h alf of o u r s et. W e g ot st u m p e d a f e w ti m e s, b ut t h at’ s o k a y. Li vi n g i n t hi s a g e, I w a s a bl e t o p ull o ut m y p h o n e a f e w ti m e s a n d l o o k u p a n y l y ri c s I m a y h a v e f o r g ot.

I s ‘ S o u v e ni r’ a titl e y o u w e r e ki c ki n g a r o u n d p ri o r t o N at h a n w riti n g “ Y ell o w R o s e Of S a nt a F e ” o r di d y o u s ettl e o n t h at aft e r t h e s o n g w a s c o m pl et e ?

A r o u n d t h e s a m e ti m e. T h e p h r a s e al s o a p p e a r s i n t h e s o n g “ S o m eti m e s,” w hi c h i s p r o b a bl y w h e r e t h e i d e a w a s i niti all y s p a r k e d f o r m e. T h e n N at h a n s h o w e d m e t h at it f elt p r ett y s e r e n di pit o u s. I t hi n k t h e i d e a t h at m u si c i s s o m et hi n g p e o pl e c a r r y wit h t h e m t o r e m e m b e r s p e ci i c ti m e s a n d pl a c e s r e s o n at e s wit h m e, a n d it’ s f o u n d t h r o u g h o ut o u r m u si c.

P a rt of b ei n g a b a n d t h at h a s n e v e r h a d a bi g hit si n gl e i s t h at y o u i n d t h e r e a r e a

n u m b e r of s o n g s p e o pl e g r a vit at e t o w a r d s o v e r ti m e o n t h ei r o w n. C e rt ai n s o n g s ri s e t o t h e t o p, a n d e v e r y o n e h a s t h ei r o w n r e a s o n f o r c o n n e cti n g t o a c e rt ai n s o n g.

T h e s o n g i n p a rti c ul a r i s p r ett y st ri ki n g b e c a u s e I f e el li k e it t o u c h e s o n s o m et hi n g w e all e x p e ri e n c e: t h e i d e a t h at w e m o v e o n f r o m p e o pl e, pl a c e s, o r e x p e ri e n c e s i n o u r li v e s, b ut a p a rt of u s al w a y s f e el s li k e w e a r e still t h e r e o r still c o n n e ct e d t o t h at t hi n g.

H a v e y o u f o u n d t h at m u si c h el p s y o u b ett e r u n d e r st a n d w h y t h o s e m o m e nt s st a y wit h u s ?

Y e s. I c e rt ai nl y h a v e a p e r s o n al a i nit y f o r n o st al gi a. I f e el li k e w e’ r e v e r y m u c h d e i n e d a n d c h a n g e d b y o u r p e r s o n al hi st o r y. P a rt of t h at p r o b a bl y st e m s f r o m b ei n g r ai s e d i n t h e S o ut h. W h e r e y o u c o m e f r o m i s a bi g p oi nt of p ri d e, a n d I’ m o n e of 2 8 g r a n d ki d s i n m y f a mil y t h at h a s a l o n g li n e of st o r yt ell e r s. I t hi n k t h at hi st o r y s h o w s it s elf t h r o u g h t h e w a y I s e e t h e w o rl d a n d w h at I c r e at e. It’ s a b e a utif ul a n d t r a gi c c y cl e h o w t hi n g s c h a n g e o v e r ti m e.

H o w t h at d e i n e s u s i s s o m et hi n g t h at i s v e r y c u ri o u s t o m e.

T h e r e a r e r e c u r ri n g t h e m e s of l o v e, a d v e nt u r e, a n d t h e s e a r c h f o r u n d e r st a n di n g o n t hi s r e c o r d, b ut y o u al s o m a k e it a p oi nt t o d et ail m o m e nt s w h e n y o u ki c k b a c k a n d l et t h e w o rl d a r o u n d y o u si n k i n. W o ul d y o u s a y y o u h a v e f o u n d a h e alt h y b al a n c e b et w e e n w o r k a n d t h e r e st of y o u r lif e ?

S o m eti m e s. It’ s i nt e r e sti n g f o r m e; a s o n g li k e “ R o w d y H e a rt, B r o k e n Wi n g” t a k e s t h at i d e a of c o nt e nt m e nt a n d p e a c e a n d att e m pt s t o b e h o n e st a b o ut it. R e c o g ni zi n g t h at s o m et hi n g i s b r o k e n a n d t h at w h at e v e r it i s y o u’ r e l o o ki n g f o r i s n e v e r g oi n g t o b e f o u n d, b ut y o u c o nti n u e t o l o o k f o r it n o n et h el e s s.

S o m e d a y s I w a k e u p a n d t hi n k, “ M a n, I’ m li vi n g t h e d r e a m. I’ v e f o u n d a w o m a n I l o v e. W e li v e i n a c o m m u nit y i n N a s h vill e s u r r o u n d e d b y d e e p f ri e n d s hi p s, a n d I m a k e m u si c wit h p e o pl e I l o v e.” T h e n ot h e r d a y s I w a k e u p a n d t hi n k, “ W h o a m I a n d w h at a m I d oi n g wit h m y lif e ?”

I t hi n k t h at t e n si o n i s w h at all o w s m e t o m a k e m u si c. I n a n y s o rt of s o n g w h e r e I’ m a s ki n g s o m et hi n g of t h e a u di e n c e I’ m o b vi o u sl y — h o p ef ull y — p r e a c hi n g t o m y s elf. T h at h a s b e e n a n i m p o rt a nt p a rt of c r e ati n g f o r m e.

Y o u t y pi c all y a p p e a r o n y o u r al b u m c o v e r s, b ut S o u v e ni r f e at u r e s a b e a utif ul ill u st r ati o n wit h r o s e s a n d s hi p s, all r ef e r e n ci n g t h e m u si c. W h e r e di d t h e i d e a f o r t h e a rt c o m e f r o m, a n d w h o p ut it t o g et h e r ?

T hi s al b u m f elt a littl e di f e r e nt c o m p a r e d t o t h e l a st, p e r h a p s d u e t o h o w m u c h c o- w riti n g

ON TOUR

I di d i n t h e p r o c e s s of c r e ati n g t h e al b u m. It f elt li k e w e n e e d e d t o m a k e a st at e m e nt. Al s o, p e r h a p s m o r e t h a n a n yt hi n g el s e, I f o u n d a n a rti st t h at I l o v e w h o s e w o r k I c o n n e ct e d wit h i n a w a y t h at I h a v e n’t wit h m a n y p e o pl e.

It all st a rt e d wit h a b e e r c a n s h e, R a c h el B ri g g s, d e si g n e d f o r Wi s e a c r e B r e w e r y o ut of M e m p hi s. I t hi n k it’ s r e al b e a utif ul st u f. A rt i n st r a n g e pl a c e s h a s a w a y of s u r p ri si n g y o u.

T hi s i s y o u r s e v e nt h st u di o al b u m. H o w w o ul d y o u s a y y o u r p e r s p e cti v e o n m u si c a n d y o u r pl a c e i n it h a s c h a n g e d wit h ti m e ?

I t hi n k n o w it’ s t o u ri n g t h at e x cit e s m e m o st.

E v e r y n e w al b u m t o u r m e a n s y o u h a v e a c o m pl et el y di f e r e nt s et, a n d a s y o u s e e w hi c h s o n g s p e o pl e c o n n e ct wit h y o u c a n b e gi n t o r e i n e y o u r p e rf o r m a n c e. E v e r y n e w t o u r i s i n c r e di bl y n e r v e- w r a c ki n g a n d al s o s ati sf yi n g.

S e c o n dl y, I d o n’t k n o w w h at it’ s li k e t o b e a n o v eli st, b ut I t hi n k t h e r e a r e s o m e si mil a riti e s b e c a u s e at t hi s p oi nt i n m y c a r e e r I’ m n ot l o o ki n g at e v e r y n e w r e c o r d a s m y o p p o rt u nit y f o r a bi g b r e a k. A s w e h a v e b e c o m e m o r e e st a bli s h e d a s a t o u ri n g a ct t h e r e h a v e b e e n l e s s a n d l e s s a ct s t h at m a k e s e n s e f o r u s t o t o u r wit h b e c a u s e w e h a v e s u c h a s p e ci i c c o m m u nit y of f a n s. M a ki n g r e c o r d s i s ki n d of si mil a r i n a w a y, b e c a u s e w e al r e a d y h a v e a n a u di e n c e. I a m al w a y s t hi n ki n g a b o ut t h e l o n g g a m e. H o w d o w e g et t o c o nti n u e m a ki n g m u si c o n o u r o w n t e r m s f o r t h e n e xt 3 0 y e a r s ? I t hi n k t hi s r e c o r d it s wit h o u r n a r r ati v e a n d t h e st o r y w e a r e t r yi n g t o t ell. I’ m e x cit e d t o s e e w h at s o n g s p e o pl e will att a c h t o o n t hi s u p c o mi n g t o u r, b ut e v e n m o r e s o t o s e e w h at s o n g s t h e y g r a vit at e t o w a r d i n t h e y e a r s t o c o m e.

Y o u a r e a b o ut t o e m b a r k o n y o u r bi g g e st h e a dli ni n g r u n t o d at e. Will y o u a p p r o a c h t hi s t o u r a n y di f e r e nt f r o m t h o s e t h at c a m e b ef o r e ?

T h e r e a r e t w o m o d e s of t h o u g ht o n t hi s ki n d of t hi n g: S o m e b eli e v e i n b uil di n g a bi g p r o d u cti o n wit h li g ht s a n d s p e n di n g m o n e y t h e r e t o gi v e bi g r o o m s a g o o d s h o w. M y ki n d of m o d e i s t o s p e n d m o n e y o n p e o pl e, p a y m y b a n d m o r e, a n d m a y b e b ri n g i n a f e w e xt r a m u si ci a n s t o gi v e t h e p e rf o r m a n c e a b ett e r d y n a mi c.

L a stl y, t h e l o n g e r y o u s p e n d o n t h e r o a d t h e b ett e r y o u g et at pl a yi n g f o r a l o n g e r p e ri o d of ti m e. If s o m e o n e p a y s $ 1 0 t o s e e y o u i n a cl u b t h e y a r e willi n g t o gi v e y o u a n h o u r o r s o of t h ei r ti m e, b ut w h e n p e o pl e a r e p a yi n g $ 2 5 o r m o r e t o s e e y o u t h e y a r e c o mi n g t o h e a r e v e r yt hi n g y o u w a nt t o pl a y. A s o u r t o u ri n g r o o m s g r o w i n si z e t h e r e a r e b ett e r o p p o rt u niti e s t o t a k e a d v a nt a g e of t h at a n d gi v e o u r f a n s w h at t h e y w a nt t o h e a r. S

3/25 Mc Mi n nville, T N @ The Volcano Roo m

3/30 C harlotte, NC @ Mc Glohon Theatre

4/1 As heville, NC @ The Orange Peel

4/5 Jackso n, M S @ Duling Hall

3/29 C harlottesville, VA @ The Je ferson

3/31 C harlesto n, SC @ Charleston Music Hall

4/2 Gree ns boro, NC @ Blind Tiger

4/6 Bir mi ng ha m, AL @ Lyric Fine Arts Theatre

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FI C K L E P E R F E C TI O NI S T S S T O R Y: J e s si c a Kli n n e r / / P H O T O:

Ni c k W al k e r

Fi c kl e F ri e n d s h a v e o nl y p e rf o r m e d i n t h e U. S. o n c e. It w a s S o ut h B y S o ut h w e st 2 0 1 6, a n d t h e o nl y w o r d l e a d si n g e r N atti S hi n e r c a n i n d t o d e s c ri b e t h e e x p e ri e n c e i s “t u r b ul e nt.”

“I t hi n k m o st b a n d s will p r o b a bl y s a y t h e s a m e t hi n g,” s h e s a y s. “ T h e t w o s h o w s t h at w e r e g o o d o ut of t h e f o u r w e r e r e all y, r e all y g o o d. T h e r e s p o n s e w a s a w e s o m e, a n d t h e c r o w d s w e r e r e all y g o o d. If t h at’ s a n yt hi n g t o g o b y f o r t h e r e st of A m e ri c a, t h e n I t hi n k w e mi g ht b e all ri g ht.”

J u d gi n g b y t h e s u c c e s s t h e i v e- pi e c e B ri g ht o n b a n d — al s o c o n si sti n g of J a c k Wil s o n ( k e y b o a r d), H a r r y H e r ri n gt o n ( b a s s), C h ri s H all (l e a d g uit a r), a n d S a m M o r ri s ( d r u m s) — h a s h a d i n t h e U. K. si n c e t h ei r i n c e pti o n i n 2 0 1 3, it’ s s af e t o s a y t h at t h e r e st of A m e ri c a will e v e nt u all y c at c h o n if t h e y’ r e n ot al r e a d y p a yi n g att e nti o n. A n d si n c e t h e b a n d s h a r e s a si mil a r s o u n d t o t h at of a ct s li k e t h e 1 9 7 5 —t h o s e E n gli s h st a n d o ut s t h at h a v e c o m pl et el y w o n o v e r U. S. m u si c f a n s —it s h o ul d r e all y b e n o ti m e at all.

T h e r e’ s a c e rt ai n ki n d of n o st al gi c i n di e- p o p m u si c t h at h a s e m e r g e d f r o m t h e U nit e d Ki n g d o m i n r e c e nt y e a r s. Fi c kl e Fri e n d s i s u n d o u bt e dl y p a rt of t h e n e w w a v e of B riti s h i n v a si o n, e x u di n g t h e i m a g e of t h e u nt o u c h a bl e, c o ol ki d s —t h e B r at P a c k g a n g f r o m b el o v e d ‘ 8 0 s m o vi e s — m y st e ri o u s, st u n ni n g p e r s o n aliti e s, e cl e cti c f a s hi o n a n d all. It’ s a n a e st h eti c t h at’ s r e l e ct e d i n t h ei r m u si c, vi d e o s, f a s hi o n, a n d li v e s h o w. It’ s m u c h li k e t h e a e st h eti c of t h e 1 9 7 5, b ut al s o P h o e ni x a n d T w o D o o r Ci n e m a Cl u b, b a n d s t h at h a v e h e a vil y i n l u e n c e d Fi c kl e Fri e n d s. B ut b ef o r e t h e i nt e n si v e t o u ri n g a n d a d o ri n g f a n s, it w a s j u st S hi n e r — pl a yi n g s o n g s o n h e r a c o u sti c g uit a r at o p e n mi c ni g ht s f o r a n y o n e w h o w o ul d li st e n.

“It w a s j u st m e at t h e b e gi n ni n g; I st a rt e d t h e b a n d,” S hi n e r s a y s. “It w a s j u st m y s o n g s. I j u st w a nt e d t o b e Elli e G o ul di n g d e s p e r at el y. I w a s t r yi n g t o pl a y a c o u sti c g uit a r r e all y, r e all y b a dl y. S o m e h o w p e o pl e w a nt e d t o b e i n m y b a n d, w hi c h w a s c o ol. [ L a u g h s. ] A s ti m e w e nt o n, o u r m ut u al i nt e r e st s i n di f e r e nt b a n d s ki n d of s h a p e d w h at t h e m u si c i s n o w.”

S hi n e r m et M o r ri s w hil e att e n di n g P a ul M c C a rt n e y’ s m u si c s c h o ol, t h e Li v e r p o ol I n stit ut e f o r P e rf o r mi n g A rt s.

L at e r, t h e r e st of t h e b a n d w o ul d f all i nt o pl a c e o n c e S hi n e r a n d M o r ri s m o v e d t o B ri g ht o n t o att e n d u ni v e r sit y a n d st u d y m u si c. N ot l o n g aft e r f o r mi n g, t h e b a n d w o n J a mi e Oli v e r’ s S u m m e r J a m c o m p etiti o n a n d e a r n e d a s p ot o n t h e li n e u p of T h e Bi g F e a sti v al f o o d a n d m u si c f e st i n A u g u st 2 0 1 3 wit h a rti st s s u c h a s K T T u n st all a n d B a s e m e nt J a x x.

Fr o m t h e r e, t h e b a n d b e g a n w o r ki n g h a r d e r t h a n e v e r t o pl a y ot h e r f e sti v al s a n d b o o k s h o w s a c r o s s t h e U. K. a n d E u r o p e. B ut, li k e f o r m o st y o u n g b a n d s, t h e r o a d t o s u c c e s s w a s n’t p a v e d wit h g ol d. O n t h e c o nt r a r y, it w a s ill e d wit h r o a d bl o c k s a n d c o n st a nt a n xi et y, b ut it w a s t h e di i c ulti e s —

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pl a yi n g ti n y s h o w s, r o u g hi n g it o n t h e r o a d, h a vi n g n o m a n a g e r o r l a b el —t h at t a u g ht Fi c kl e Fri e n d s a b o ut p ati e n c e a n d p e r s e v e r a n c e. “ O u r s et b a c k s w e r e a bl e s si n g i n di s g ui s e,” S hi n e r s a y s. “ W e h a d q uit e a l ot of i nt e r e st w h e n w e p ut o ut ‘ S wi m’ t h r e e y e a r s a g o, a n d it w a s q uit e e x citi n g, e s p e ci all y a s a n e w b a n d. Y o u’ r e j u st li k e, ‘ A h, s hit, I w a nt a r e c o r d d e al.’ B ut t h e f a ct t h at t h e y ki n d of i g n o r e d u s b e c a u s e w e w e r e n’t r e all y r e a d y m e a nt t h at w e h a d t w o y e a r s of j u st d oi n g it o u r s el v e s. W e g ot a b o o ki n g a g e nt a n d j u st t o u r e d e v e r y w h e r e. T h at o r g a ni c w a y of b uil di n g a f a n b a s e h a s b e e n t h e m o st b e n e i ci al t hi n g f o r u s. T h at w a s t h e r e a s o n w h e n w e g ot a r e c o r d d e al —it w a s li k e w e’ v e al r e a d y d o n e t h e r e all y h a r d l e g w o r k t h at t a k e s a l ot of m o n e y a n d a l ot of ti m e f o r a r e c o r d l a b el t o i n v e st i n t o g et a b a n d f r o m t h e g r o u n d u p, b ut w e’ d al r e a d y d o n e t h at w o r k o u r s el v e s w hi c h f elt g o o d.”

Wit h t h e di i c ult ti m e s c a m e a l ot of a n xi o u s n e s s. S hi n e r a n d t h e b a n d w e r e c o n st a ntl y w o r ri e d a b o ut m a ki n g e n d s m e et a n d b ei n g a bl e t o c o nti n u e st ri vi n g t o w a r d t h ei r d r e a m s.

I r o ni c all y t h o u g h, it w a s w o r r y t h at f u el e d t h e c r e ati v e p r o c e s s f o r t h e s o n g “ B r o o kl y n,” w hi c h f o c u s e s o n h o w a n xi et y c a n f e el f o r ei g n, li k e a n ali e n p r e s e n c e: “ Y o u a r e s o m e o n e el s e /It’ s s o m et hi n g I c a n’t d e i n e / Y o u a r e n ot mi n e,” t h e c h o r u s ri n g s o ut. “[ M y a n xi et y] st a rt e d h a p p e ni n g a c o u pl e of y e a r s a g o, a n d it w a s t hi s w ei r d, ali e n t hi n g,” S hi n e r r e c all s. “ T h at’ s w h at w a s p ut i nt o t h e s o n g.

It’ s li k e t h e s a m e f e eli n g y o u g et i n a f o r ei g n pl a c e b y y o u r s elf a n d y o u f e el a bit li k e y o u d o n’t k n o w w h e r e y o u a r e a n d d o n’t r e c o g ni z e a n y w h e r e. It’ s m et a p h o ri c al.”

F o r t hi s s o n g a n d m a n y ot h e r s, t h e b a n d b o o k e d ti m e a w a y i n s e cl u d e d

l o c ati o n s t o f o c u s o n t h ei r a rt, g et a w a y f r o m t h e n oi s e of t h e cit y a n d eli mi n at e di st r a cti o n s. “ W h e n w e’ v e g ot ti m e o f, w e’ r e w riti n g all t h e ti m e,” S hi n e r s a y s. “ W e d o w riti n g r et r e at s. W e i n d t h at c h a n gi n g t h e s c e n e r y i s a g o o d w a y of g etti n g ri d of w rit e r’ s bl o c k, w hi c h b e c a u s e w e’ v e b e e n w riti n g s oli dl y f o r t w o m o nt h s, w e h a v e a bit of t h at. I t hi n k t h e c h a n g e of s c e n e r y [i s] g o o d f o r u s.”

W h e n Fi c kl e Fri e n d s h a v e n’t b e e n a w a y w riti n g, t h e y’ v e b e e n s p e n di n g ti m e i n L o s A n g el e s r e c o r di n g t h e s o n g s wit h p r o d u c e r Mi k e C r o s s e y (t h e 1 9 7 5, F o al s). Aft e r si g ni n g wit h P ol y d o r R e c o r d s l a st y e a r, t h e b a n d b e g a n s h o p pi n g a r o u n d f o r p ot e nti al r e c o r di n g p a rt n e r s hi p s a n d w o r ki n g wit h C r o s s e y s e e m e d t o b e t h e p e rf e ct it. “ W h e n w e di d si g n t h at d e al [ wit h P ol y d o r], w e w e r e c h atti n g a b o ut w h o w e w a nt e d t o d o o u r r e c o r d wit h, a n d w h e n w e w e r e t h r o wi n g a r o u n d n a m e s Mi k e’ s o b vi o u sl y c a m e u p b e c a u s e w e l o v e d w h at h e’ d d o n e wit h t h e 1 9 7 5’ s al b u m,” S hi n e r r e c all s.

H o p ef ull y, f a n s a r e j u st a f e w m o r e w riti n g r et r e at s a w a y f r o m h e a ri n g a f ull-l e n gt h al b u m f r o m Fi c kl e Fri e n d s. U p t o t hi s p oi nt, t h e b a n d h a s o nl y r el e a s e d o n e E P ( 2 0 1 5’ s V el v et ) a n d a sl e w of s u c c e s sf ul si n gl e s.

“I c a n’t w ait t o a ct u all y r el e a s e a n al b u m. I’ m ki n d of o v e r si n gl e s,” S hi n e r l a u g h s. “I j u st w a nt t o p ut e v e r yt hi n g o ut. W e a r e a b o ut 8 0 p e r c e nt t h e r e,” s h e a d d s a b o ut t h e i m p e n di n g r e c o r d.

“It’ s w ei r d b e c a u s e w e’ r e s u c h p e rf e cti o ni st s. W e’ v e f ull y r e c o r d e d s o n g s [i n L. A.] a n d c o m e b a c k t o t h e U. K. a n d w e’ r e li k e, ‘I t hi n k w e c a n w rit e a b ett e r c h o r u s t o t h at.’ W e ki n d of u n d o all t h e p r o d u cti o n w o r k t h at w e’ v e s p e nt s o l o n g d oi n g. It w o n’t b e i ni s h e d u ntil t h e d a y w e h a n d it i n.” S

O u r s et b a c k s w e r e a bl e s si n g i n di s g ui s e.”

— N A T TI S HI N E R

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Z O M BI E L A N D: C O A S T T O C O A S T WI T H A NDRE W MC M A HO N S T O R Y: J o h n B a zl e y / / P H O T O S: B r e n d a n W alt e r

S e a g ull c ri e s c a n b e h e a r d b ef o r e t h e o p e ni n g n ot e s of J a c k’ s M a n n e q ui n’ s E v e r yt hi n g I n Tr a n sit . W a v e s c r a s h, wi n d w hi p s t h r o u g h p al m t r e e s, a n d s e a g ull s s q u a w k ri g ht b ef o r e t h at b a s s g uit a r sli d e t h at l e a d s i nt o “ H oli d a y Fr o m R e al” a n d A n d r e w M c M a h o n st a rt s si n gi n g a b o ut V e ni c e B e a c h a n d C alif o r ni a i n t h e s u m m e r. T h at s o u n d bit e i s t h e i r st cl u e t h at M c M a h o n’ s i d e ntit y a s a C alif o r ni a n pl a y s a bi g r ol e i n t h e r e c o r d’ s s o n g w riti n g a n d c e m e nt s E v e r yt hi n g I n Tr a n sit a s a r e c o r d li n k e d i nt ri n si c all y t o t h e cit y w h e r e it w a s w ritt e n.

It m a k e s s e n s e t h e n t h at A n d r e w M c M a h o n I n T h e Wil d e r n e s s’ n e w r e c o r d, Z o m bi e s O n B r o a d w a y , o p e n s wit h t h e s o u n d of r u s hi n g t r ai n s a n d i n di s c ri mi n at e v oi c e s o n t h e N e w Y o r k Cit y s u b w a y. T h e r e c o r d — t h e p r o d u ct of a n e xt e n d e d w riti n g s e s si o n i n N e w Y o r k Cit y — s e r v e s a s M c M a h o n’ s st at e m e nt o n t h e cit y t h at n e v e r sl e e p s. Fr o m t h e l y ri c s t h at f o c u s o n cit y l a n d m a r k s t o t h e u n c h a r a ct e ri sti c all y gl o s s y p r o d u cti o n a n d p u r e p o p s o n g w riti n g, Z o m bi e s i s u n mi st a k a bl y b o r n e of a f a st- p a c e d lif e st yl e t h at o nl y N e w Y o r k c a n p r o vi d e.

“I t hi n k i n sti n cti v el y, o n c e I d e ci d e d t o g o b a c k t o N e w Y o r k t o i ni s h t hi s r e c o r d, I h a d a p r ett y di sti n ct f e eli n g t h at t hi s w o ul d t a k e o n a lif e of it s o w n,” s a y s M c M a h o n of hi s n e w r e c o r d. “It’ s s o m et hi n g m a r k e dl y di f e r e nt f r o m w h at I’ v e d o n e i n t h e p a st. I j u st di d n’t p r e m e dit at e it. I t hi n k t h at w h e n I g o f r o m o n e al b u m t o t h e n e xt, m y g o al i s t o c h a n g e it u p a s d r a m ati c all y a s I c a n b ut st a y t r u e t o m y s elf.

B e c a u s e if I d o n’t d o t h at, I e n d u p w o n d e ri n g, ‘ W h at w a s t h e p oi nt ?’ W h et h e r it w a s b y a c ci d e nt o r i nt e nti o n all y, I st a rt e d m a ki n g t h e s e al b u m s s o u n d di f e r e nt f r o m t h ei r p r e d e c e s s o r s b e c a u s e I t e n d t o i n d it k e e p s p e o pl e o n t h ei r f e et a n d it k e e p s m e a gil e.

Fr o m a s el i s h st a n d p oi nt, it k e e p s m e l e a r ni n g h o w t o m a k e n e w s o n g s.”

Z o m bi e s O n Br o a d w a y f ul ill s s o m et hi n g of a p er s o n al pr o mi s e. S e v er al y e ar s a g o, M c M a h o n, al o n g wit h t h e r e st of J a c k’ s M a n n e q ui n, pl a n n e d t o writ e a r e c or d i n N e w Y or k at s o m e p oi nt i n 2 0 0 6, b ut d u e t o c o m pli c ati o n s wit h A n dr e w’ s h e alt h, t h e pl a n s w er e c a n c el e d a n d T h e Gl a s s P a s s e n g er c a m e t o b e.

“ W e w e r e all b ut p a c k e d u p t o d o it,” M c M a h o n s a y s, r e l e cti n g o n w h at w o ul d h a v e b e e n t h e f oll o w- u p t o E v e r yt hi n g I n Tr a n sit . “ T h e pl a n w a s al r e a d y i n m oti o n. [ W e g ot] t h e C alif o r ni a r e c o r d o ut. W e h a d a h o u s e i n t h e hill s r e nt e d i n H oll y w o o d a n d t h e b a n d a n d I w e r e g oi n g t o li v e t h e r e; w e w e r e g oi n g t o l e a n i nt o t hi s W e st C o a st t hi n g, a n d t h e n w e w e r e g oi n g t o u p r o ot it, m o v e t o N e w Y o r k, a n d l e a n i nt o t hi s E a st C o a st t hi n g. T h e n, o b vi o u sl y, e v e r yt hi n g ki n d a s p u n o n it s a xi s a bit a n d c h a n g e d di r e cti o n s.”

Hi st o ri c all y, N e w Y o r k Cit y h a s b e e n a di i c ult pl a c e f o r M c M a h o n; it’ s w h e r e h e w a s di a g n o s e d wit h a c ut e l y m p h o bl a sti c l e u k e mi a i n 2 0 0 5. Hi s a v e r si o n t o r eli vi n g t h at c h a pt e r of hi s lif e p r e v e nt e d hi m f r o m f oll o wi n g t h r o u g h o n pl a n s t o r e c o r d t h at J a c k’ s M a n n e q ui n al b u m, a n a v e r si o n h e h a d t o o v e r c o m e t o w rit e Z o m bi e s i n t h e Bi g A p pl e.

“It t o o k m e t hi s l o n g t o f e el li k e I’ m st u r d y e n o u g h t o t a k e t h at l e a p a n d m a k e g o o d o n t h at p r o mi s e t o m y s elf c r e ati v el y. I t hi n k t h at’ s w h y I’ v e i m p r o v e d s o m u c h o n t hi s r e c o r d — w h y i n st e a d of c o mi n g h o m e a n d r e sti n g aft e r t w o y e a r s o n t h e r o a d, I j u st st a rt e d r e c o r di n g a n d k e pt m a ki n g m u si c. It’ s li k e I w a s s w e pt b a c k u p i n t h at w a v e of W e st C o a st t o E a st C o a st c r e ati v e l o w, a n d I w a s r e a d y t o t r y it.”

A n d s u r e e n o u g h, Z o m bi e s O n B r o a d w a y s o u n d s m o r e li k e N e w Y o r k t h a n C alif o r ni a.

B uil di n g o n t h e m o r e e x p r e s si v el y p o pl e a ni n g s e n si biliti e s of t h e s elf-titl e d A n d r e w M c M a h o n I n T h e Wil d e r n e s s p r oj e ct, Z o m bi e s i s f ull of t r a c k s i n s pi r e d b y el e ct r o ni c d a n c e m u si c, li k e “ S o Cl o s e” a n d “ D o n’t S p e a k F o r M e ( Tr u e),” b ot h of w hi c h al s o f e at u r e t h e bi g g e st, c at c hi e st h o o k s t h at M c M a h o n h a s

e v e r w ritt e n. T h e r e c o r d’ s p r o d u cti o n i s f a st- p a c e d a n d sli c k, f e at u ri n g f a r m o r e s y nt h eti c i n st r u m e nt ati o n t h a n t h e pi a n od ri v e n s o n g w riti n g of M c M a h o n p r oj e ct s p a st.

It’ s d a ri n g a n d b ol d, a n d a d e i nit e d e p a rt u r e f r o m t h e l a st Wil d e r n e s s r e c o r d, w hi c h pl a y s m o r e t o t h e st r e n gt h s w e’ v e c o m e t o e x p e ct f r o m M c M a h o n o v e r t h e y e a r s.

Wit h t h e n e w s o u n d, M c M a h o n i s s et o n g etti n g t h e li v e s h o w ri g ht. Hi s b a n d s h a v e al w a y s b e e n n ot a bl e f o r t h ei r vi s u al p r e s e nt ati o n a n d li v e p e rf o r m a n c e s, p a rti c ul a rl y s o i n t h e e r a of hi s p o st- J a c k’ s s ol o c a r e e r. Al w a y s p r o n e t o c o nf etti c a n n o n s a n d i m m e r si v e, o n- st a g e p r o p s, t h e li v e s h o w i s c r u ci al t o M c M a h o n a n d h e’ s t a ki n g e v e r y st e p t o m a k e s u r e h e m a k e s t h e fi r st t o u r of t h e Z o m bi e s e r a o n e t o r e m e m b e r. D oi n g s o e nt ail s l e a r ni n g t h e r e c o r d’ s i n- st u di o fl o u ri s h e s a n d c e rt ai n s o u n d s t h at a r e p a rti c ul a rl y diffi c ult t o r e c r e at e i n t h e li v e s etti n g.

“I’ d b e l yi n g t o s a y I w a s n’t a littl e bit n e r v o u s a b o ut it, b ut I’ v e b e e n n e r v o u s a b o ut l e a r ni n g h o w t o pl a y e v e r y r e c o r d I’ v e e v e r r e c o r d e d b e c a u s e y o u h a v e t hi s t h o u g ht i n y o u r h e a d, li k e, ‘ O h, g o s h, I h a v e t o d o it e x a ctl y a s it w a s r e c o r d e d.’ B ut y o u r e ali z e t h at li v e a n d r e c o r d e d m e di u m s a r e s o diff e r e nt t h at t h e m o st i m p o rt a nt t hi n g i s t o c o m m u ni c at e t h e e n e r g y a n d e m oti o n of w h at’ s i n t h e r e c o r d. W e’ r e g o n n a u s e t h at a s a b a s eli n e, a n d I’ m e x cit e d t o pl a y [ n e w m u si c] o n t hi s t o u r. I c a n’t b eli e v e t h at s o m a n y of t h e s e d at e s a r e s elli n g s o w ell.

It’ s g o n n a b e a l ot of f u n. W e’ r e g o n n a t a k e it o ut f o r a t e st r u n a n d h o p e t h at it w o r k s f o r e v e r y b o d y.”

W h e n I g o f r o m o n e al b u m t o t h e n e xt,

m y g o al i s t o c h a n g e it u p a s d r a m ati c all y a s I c a n b ut st a y t r u e t o m y s elf.”

—A NDRE W MC MA HO N

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T h e r e c o r d’ s b ol d s o u n d i s r e l e ct e d i n t h e f u n k y al b u m a rt w o r k, w hi c h f e at u r e s t w o i m a g e s of M c M a h o n, stit c h e d t o g et h e r d o w n t h e c e nt e r of hi s f a c e. H e w e a r s a l o r al c oll a r e d s hi rt i n f r o nt of a r e d v el v et b a c k d r o p o n t h e l eft si d e a n d a s p a c e h el m et i n f r o nt of t h e N e w Y o r k Cit y s k yli n e o n t h e ri g ht. M c M a h o n l a u g h s w h e n I t ell hi m it r e mi n d s m e of s o m et hi n g D a vi d B o wi e mi g ht h a v e c r e at e d i n t h e ‘ 9 0 s.

“It j u st s o h a p p e n s t h at t h e p h ot o g r a p h e r I s h ot t hi s wit h di d a l ot of t h e p h ot o g r a p h y d u ri n g t h e l a st r e c o r d, a n d y o u l e a r n t o t r u st p e o pl e c r e ati v el y,” M c M a h o n s a y s of B r e n d a n W alt e r, t h e p h ot o g r a p h e r b e hi n d t h e a rt w o r k. “ S o m eti m e s e x p a n di n g c r e ati v e r el ati o n s hi p s m a k e s t hi n g s s e e m b o ri n g a n d d at e d a n d t h at m a y b e y o u s h o ul d m o v e o n, a n d ot h e r ti m e s it g et s y o u t o b e b ol d e r a n d di g d e e p e r i nt o t hi n g s. O u r o ri gi n al c o n c e pt w a s b a s e d o n t h e s o n g ‘ S h ot O ut Of A C a n n o n,’ w hi c h i s t r a c k s e v e n o n t h e r e c o r d. M y o ri gi n al c o n c e pt w a s t o hi r e o n e of t h e s e g u y s w h o g et s s h ot o ut of c a n n o n s, a n d t h at w a s g o n n a b e t h e c o v e r of t h e p r oj e ct. B ut wit hi n a n h o u r of b o o ki n g t h e li g ht, s o m e of t h e p o w e r s t h at b e l e a r n e d h o w w e w e r e c h o o si n g t o s p e n d o u r c r e ati v e b u d g et f o r t h e al b u m a n d s ai d n o. I w a s a littl e bit pi s s e d. [L a u g h s .] S o w e r e nt e d a st u di o a n d I t ol d B r e n d a n m y o nl y c rit e ri a w a s t h at I n e e d e d a s p a c e s uit.

A n d e v e r y o n e ki n d a l a u g h e d at t h at b ut I i n si st e d, ‘ N o, w e s e ri o u sl y n e e d a s p a c e s uit.’ T h e r e st i s hi st o r y, w e h a d a bl a st.”

D e s pit e it s f u n a n d f u n k y a p p e a r a n c e, t h e t w o f a c e s o n t h e c o v e r of Z o m bi e s a ct u all y m e s h q uit e w ell wit h w h e r e A n d r e w f e el s h e’ s c o mi n g f r o m i n w riti n g t h e n e w al b u m.

ON TOUR 50

“ T h e r e’ s al w a y s a h alf of m e t h at’ s sitti n g at h o m e, r e a di n g a b o o k a b o ut E a st e r n p hil o s o p h y, a n d t h e r e’ s a h alf of m e t h at’ s g etti n g d r a g g e d o ut of a b a r at f o u r i n t h e m o r ni n g. I t hi n k t h at o n m y b e st d a y s, r at h e r t h a n l e a ni n g t o o f a r i n t h e e xt r e m e s of o n e of t h o s e p e r s o n aliti e s, I i n st e a d i n d m y s elf i n t h e mi d dl e,” M c M a h o n s a y s, e x pl ai ni n g hi s c r e ati v e mi n d s et b e hi n d t h e r e c o r d. “It’ s c e rt ai nl y, i n t h e aft e r m at h of r e c o r di n g t hi s r e c o r d, s o m et hi n g I’ m t r yi n g t o d o a littl e bit b ett e r t h a n I’ v e d o n e i n t h e p a st y e a r o r s o. [I h a v e] a r el ati o n s hi p wit h N e w Y o r k Cit y. I w a s di a g n o s e d t h e r e, a n d I t h o u g ht I w a s g oi n g t o g o b a c k t h e r e a n d m a k e a r e c o r d y e a r s a g o. I di d n’t b e c a u s e I c o ul d n’t t ot all y st a n d u p t o t h at si d e of m e. N e w Y o r k Cit y b ri n g s o ut t h e l att e r of t h o s e t w o si d e s of m e m o r e t h a n j u st a b o ut a n y ot h e r l o c ati o n o n pl a n et E a rt h. A n d I t hi n k m a y b e t h at’ s w h at I n e e d e d t o e x pl o r e o n t hi s r e c o r d; t o di g i nt o t h at si d e of m y s elf p e r s o n all y t o b ett e r u n d e r st a n d it. I t hi n k t hi s r e c o r d i n s o m e w a y s d o c u m e nt s t h at e x pl o r ati o n.”

W hil e c e rt ai nl y a d e p a rt u r e, A n d r e w a g r e e s t h at Z o m bi e s O n B r o a d w a y r e p r e s e nt s s o m e of hi s b e st w o r k. It’ s c o n si st e ntl y c at c h y, t h e m ati c all y c o n ci s e, a n d f ull y i n di c ati v e of A n d r e w’ s c a r e e r o v e r t h e y e a r s. W hil e li st e ni n g, it’ s h a r d n ot t o t hi n k t h at t hi s i s t h e r e c o r d M c M a h o n’ s b e e n t r yi n g t o m a k e f o r a g e s. “ W h e n t h e mi x e s w e r e c o mi n g i n, I r e ali z e d, ‘ W o w, I, u h, I r e all y di d s o m et hi n g h e r e,’” M c M a h o n s a y s, l a u g hi n g. “ B ut I li k e t o t a k e bi g c h a n c e s, a n d I h o p e p e o pl e will c o m e al o n g wit h m e.” S

3/12 A na hei m, C A @ House Of Blues

3/16 O ma ha, NE @ Sokol Auditoriu m

3/18 St. Lo uis, M O @ Del mar Hall

3/21 Mi n nea polis, M N @ First Avenue

3/24 C hicago, IL @ House Of Blues

3/26 Detroit, MI @ The Fill more

3/13 Sa n Diego, C A @ House Of Blues

3/17 Ka nsas City, M O @ KC Live!

3/20 St. Lo uis, M O @ Del mar Hall

3/22 Mil wa ukee, WI @ The Pabst Theater

3/25 I n dia na polis, I N @ Egyptian Roo m

3/28 Ci nci n nati, O H @ Bogart’s

[ S U B S T R E A MM A G A ZI N E. C O M ]

T HE BEST IS YET T O C O ME Mi n u s T h e B e a r o n V OI D S a n d t h ei r d e si r e t o k e e p g oi n g

S T O R Y: G e o f B u r n s / / P H O T O: S h e r vi n L ai n e z

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T h e r e’ s a l ot of l o s s,

t h e r e’ s a l ot of e m pti n e s s o n t h e r e c o r d.”

—C O RY M U RC HY

C h a n g e: It’ s a m att e r of lif e. It w a s s e e n w h e n D o n al d Tr u m p w a s s w o r n i nt o o i c e a s P r e si d e nt of t h e U nit e d St at e s i n J a n u a r y. It’ s t h e t e m p e r at u r e b r o u g ht i n wit h a n e w s e a s o n. It’ s p e r s o n al p r ef e r e n c e e v ol v e d wit h a g e.

It’ s w h at J a k e S ni d e r, D a v e K n u d s o n, Al e x R o s e, a n d C o r y M u r c h y h a v e d e alt wit h f o r t h e p a st i v e y e a r s. “ W e’ r e ki n d of p r e s si n g t h e r e st a rt b utt o n,” s a y s M u r c h y, b a s si st a n d o n e of t h e f o u n di n g m e m b e r s of Mi n u s T h e B e a r, d u ri n g a p h o n e c all wit h S u b st r e a m a f e w d a y s b ef o r e t h e i n a u g u r ati o n. B y “ p r e s si n g t h e r e st a rt b utt o n,” t h e S e attl e alt- r o c k b a n d a r e e m b r a ci n g t h ei r c h a n g e.

T hi n g s st a rt e d t o s hift f o r t h e g r o u p aft e r t h ei r 2 0 1 2 f ull-l e n gt h al b u m, I n i nit y O v er h e a d, w a s r el e a s e d.

T o u ri n g, al o n g wit h a c o m pil ati o n al b u m (L o st L o v e s ), c o nti n u e d u ntil e a rl y 2 0 1 5 w h e n t h e a n n o u n c e m e nt w a s p u bli cl y m a d e t h at o ri gi n al d r u m m e r E ri n T at e h a d p a rt e d w a y s wit h M T B, citi n g p e r s o n al a n d c r e ati v e di f e r e n c e s aft e r 1 5 y e a r s wit h t h e b a n d. “ E ri n l e a vi n g t h e b a n d w a s a bi g o n e a n d it w a s a m o v e t h at n e e d e d t o h a p p e n f o r b ot h p a rti e s. W e wi s h hi m all t h e b e st, all t h e l u c k a n d all t h e l o v e, a n d h e k n o w s t h at,” s a y s M u r c h y.

M o r e c h a n g e c o nti n u e d aft e r t h e b a n d dit c h e d t h ei r l a b el a n d m a n a g e m e nt b y s wit c hi n g b a c k t o t h ei r o ri gi n al h o m e b a s e, S ui ci d e S q u e e z e R e c o r d s, i n p r e p a r ati o n f o r t h e r el e a s e of t h ei r si xt h a n d n e w e st al b u m, V OI D S . M a ki n g t h e s hift wit h n e w r e p r e s e nt ati o n a n d s u p p o rt c o m bi n e d wit h t h e d e p a rt u r e f r o m T at e ulti m at el y s e r v e d a s a l a r g e c o nt ri b ut o r t o t h e d el a y i n n e w m u si c. “ T h er e w er e s o m a n y c h a n g e s t h at it j u st f elt ri g ht wit h t h e f o u r of u s i n a s p a c e t h at w e r e all y n e e d e d t o s h a k e t hi n g s u p,” M u r c h y s a y s. “It w a s h a r d a n d t h at’ s w h y it’ s t a k e n u s s o l o n g t o r e g r o u p a n d it r e all y p ut u s

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[ S U B S T R E A MM A G A ZI N E. C O M ]

b a c k q uit e a bit a s f a r a s t h e w riti n g p r o c e s s a n d t h e r e c o r di n g, b ut I t hi n k w e ki n d of n e e d e d t o d o it. W e n e e d e d t o ci r cl e t h e w a g o n a n d t a k e st o c k of w h at’ s g oi n g o n wit h t h e b a n d — wit h u s p e r s o n all y, wit h e v e r yt hi n g — a n d it f o r c e d u s t o r e all y g al v a ni z e o u r t h o u g ht s. W e eit h e r h a d t o m a k e a n h o n e st g o at t hi s o r w h at’ s t h e p oi nt ?

T h e r e w e r e a l ot of q u e sti o n s,” h e c o nti n u e s. “I t hi n k e v e r y o n e i n t h e b a n d h a d r e al r e s e r v ati o n s at o n e p oi nt o r a n ot h e r. Li k e, ‘ S h o ul d w e b e d oi n g t hi s ?

I s t hi s w h at I w a nt t o b e d oi n g ?’ I’ m st o k e d t o s a y t h at w e’ r e o n t h e ot h e r e n d of it a n d w e’ r e st o k e d t h at w e a r e h e r e.”

E nt e r d r u m m e r Ki ef e r M att hi a s, w h o w a s p r e vi o u sl y Mi n u s T h e B e a r’ s d r u m t e c h f o r a f e w e a rli e r t o u r s a n d k n e w t h e b a n d’ s s o n g s. M att hi a s w a s a n o b vi o u s g o-t o w h e n t hi n g s s e e m e d li k e t h e y w e r e f alli n g o ut of pl a c e. “ H e w a s r e all y a bl e t o s a v e o u r a s s b y c o mi n g i n a n d st e p pi n g u p w h e n w e k n e w E ri n w a s n’t g oi n g t o b e a bl e t o d o t h at t h at i r st t o u r,” M u r c h y s a y s. “ W e’ v e j u st b e e n j elli n g a n d t a ki n g it d a y b y d a y a n d it’ s b e e n a w e s o m e.”

T h at e f e cti v e c o e xi st e n c e b ri n g s u s t o V OI D S , Mi n u s T h e B e a r’ s i r st f ull-l e n gt h i n n e a rl y h alf a d e c a d e.

T h e L P i s c o m p ri s e d of 1 0 s o n g s, e a c h c o nt ai ni n g c o n i d e nt v o c al d uti e s f r o m S ni d e r a n d t h at alt e r n ati v e r o c k vi b e f o u n d o n p r e vi o u s al b u m s, y et t hi s ti m e a r o u n d it f e el s m u c h m o r e p r e ci s e a n d f r e e. T h e m aj o rit y of t h e al b u m l y ri c all y d e al s h e a vil y o n l o s s a n d f ail e d r el ati o n s hi p s, gi vi n g u p a n d t r yi n g t o o v e r c o m e l o n eli n e s s.

T h at t h e m e of l o s s i s p r o mi n e nt o n al b u m o p e n e r “ L a st Ki s s” w h e r e S ni d e r si n g s, “ E v e r y l o v e g et s a l a st ki s s / E v e r y o n e b e c o m e s t h e e n e m y /I c a n’t b eli e v e it e n d s li k e t hi s,” w hil e t h e f e eli n g of l o n eli n e s s ri n g s o ut o n t h e d r e a r y “ W h at A b o ut T h e B o at ?” a s t h e l y ri c s r e a d, “ S o ti r e d sl e e p b e c o m e s a

l o st a rt /I i n d all I’ m s c a r e d of / S o ti r e d I n e v e r w a nt a n y o n e /I t hi n k a b o ut y o u li k e y o u n e v e r l eft.” “ T h e r e w a s a c e rt ai n p oi nt w h e r e w e w e r e p r ett y e m pt y, t h e g a s t a n k s w e r e p r ett y f u c ki n’ e m pt y, a n d w e w e r e n’t s u r e w h at t o d o,” M u r c h y s a y s. “ W e w e r e d e ali n g wit h l o s s a n d d e ali n g wit h all t h e s e e m pt y f e eli n g s a n d it j u st ki n d of s e e m e d t o w o r k a n d e n c a p s ul at e wit h w h at w e w e r e d e ali n g wit h a n d w h at t h e s o n g s w e r e a b o ut.

T h e r e’ s a l ot of l o s s, t h e r e’ s a l ot of e m pti n e s s o n t h e r e c o r d.”

V OI D S w a s p r o d u c e d b y S a m B ell ( W e e z e r, Bl o c P a rt y, T w o D o o r Ci n e m a Cl u b) a n d r e c o r d e d at St u di o Lit h o, A v a st! R e c o r di n g C o., a n d H all Of J u sti c e St u di o i n S e attl e. A c o m pl et e Mi n u s T h e B e a r e f o rt, w e al s o h e a r c o nt ri b uti n g v o c al s o n “ R o b oti c H e a rt” f r o m I r e n e B a r b e r of D u st M ot h a n d X VIII E y e s.

B ell n ot o nl y p r o d u c e d t h e al b u m, b ut w a s a bl e t o p e r s o n all y g et t o k n o w e a c h p e r s o n i n t h e b a n d, m a ki n g it e a si e r t o i n d w h at t h e m u si ci a n s w e r e c a p a bl e of c r e ati n g. “ R e c o r di n g i s al w a y s a r e al t o u g h m o n st e r f o r m e,” M u r c h y s a y s. “It’ s li k e t h e e xt r e m e hi g h s a n d e xt r e m e l o w s of c r e ati n g a rt f o r m e a n d I d o n’t m a k e it e a s y f o r m y s elf, eit h e r. W o r ki n g wit h S a m B ell, o u r p r o d u c e r a n d t h e l e a d e r of t h e s hi p, w a s a w e s o m e b e c a u s e hi s attit u d e a b o ut e v e r yt hi n g w a s s o p o siti v e a n d I k n o w I d r o v e hi m n ut s, b ut h e w a s al w a y s s o g r a ci o u s a n d s o g o o d. H e k n e w h o w t o d e al wit h all of u s. H e i g u r e d o ut o u r di f e r e nt p e r s o n aliti e s p r ett y q ui c k a n d r e all y g ot t h e b e st o ut of u s. H e h el p e d m e t r e m e n d o u sl y wit h i d e a s a n d h e w a s al w a y s v e r y p o siti v e a b o ut e v e r yt hi n g.”

B ut t h e r e c o r d w a s al s o ulti m at el y t h e p e rf e ct t y p e of t h e r a p y e a c h m e m b e r of Mi n u s T h e B e a r n e e d e d i n o r d e r t o p e r s e v e r e i nt o t h e f ut u r e a s o n e. F o r t h e i r st ti m e i n 1 5

y e a r s, t h e g u y s t o o k a b r e a k a n d g a v e e a c h ot h e r s p a c e. T h e y d e ci d e d t o o nl y h a n g o ut w h e n it w a s ti m e t o r e c o r d t h e al b u m. T h e m e nt alit y w a s st ri ctl y t o c r e at e a n d i ni s h t h e b e st pi e c e of a rt t h e b a n d h a s e v e r w ritt e n. “ T h e r e’ s a d e i nit e p a rt t h at w e’ r e j u st st u b b o r n ol d m e n at t hi s p oi nt,” M u r c h y l a u g h s. “ W e’ r e n ot g oi n g t o l et it g o a n d it c a n’t e n d li k e t hi s. It w o ul d’ v e b e e n s o st u pi d b e c a u s e w e f elt li k e t h e r e w a s still m o r e w e c o ul d d o a n d a c c o m pli s h a n d p ut o ut a n d w e all b eli e v e t h at o u r b e st st u f i s still a h e a d of u s. W e w e r e t o o st u b b o r n t o l et t h e b o at g o d o w n,” h e c o nti n u e s. “ W e w e r e a bl e t o t a k e s o m e ti m e a w a y, a n d a w a y f r o m e a c h ot h e r, a n d di d n’t r e all y h a n g o ut. W e w e r e still r e c o r di n g a n d e v e r yt hi n g, b ut w e t o o k s o m e ti m e. It w a s t h e i r st ti m e w e di d t h at i n 1 5 y e a r s. W h e n w e st a rt e d t hi s b a n d w e k n e w w e w a nt e d t o t a k e it a s f a r a s w e c o ul d g o b ut w e di d n’t h a v e a n y g r a n d pl a n s o n h o w t h at w a s g oi n g t o pl a y o ut.

E v e n if w e di d n’t p ut a r e c o r d o ut e v e r y y e a r w e w e r e still w o r ki n g c o n st a ntl y — w e w e r e t o u ri n g, w riti n g E P s. W e n e v e r t o o k r e al ti m e a w a y. I t hi n k t h at d e i nit el y h el p e d. It t u r n s o ut w e still l o v e t h e s hit o ut of e a c h ot h e r. [ L a u g h s. ] W hil e M u r c h y s o m e w h at j o ki n gl y st at e s t h at st u b b o r n n e s s i s at t h e r o ot of Mi n u s T h e B e a r n ot gi vi n g u p, V OI D S e n c a p s ul at e s a f r e s h s o u n d, a b o o st i nt o t h e will p o w e r of o v e r c o mi n g a r o u g h p at c h. N o m att e r t h e r e a s o n s b e hi n d t h e e n d r e s ult, M u r c h y s a y s V OI D S i s t h e b e st al b u m Mi n u s T h e B e a r h a s w ritt e n i n it s e nti r e c a r e e r.

“It’ s f u n n y b e c a u s e I’ v e h a d s o m e ti m e t o t hi n k a b o ut it a n d I c a n h o n e stl y

ON TOUR

s a y t h at I f e el m o r e c o n i d e nt a n d h a p pi e r a b o ut t h e b a n d ri g ht n o w t h a n I h a v e i n y e a r s — a n d m a y b e e v e r —j u st i n t h e f a ct t h at w e’ r e c o mi n g o ut of t hi s w h ol e p r o c e s s of m a ki n g t hi s n e w e st r e c o r d a n d t h e f o u r of u s h a v e r e all y d e alt wit h a l ot i n t h e l a st 1 5 y e a r s a n d h a v e w e at h e r e d t h e st o r m a n d a r e st r o n g e r t h a n e v e r,” M u r c h y s a y s. “I t hi n k I’ v e s ai d b ef o r e t h at aft e r c o mi n g o ut of a r e c o r di n g p r o c e s s y o u f e el w e a k a n d t h e n st r o n g a g ai n, b ut t h e r e’ s s o m et hi n g a b o ut t hi s o n e... W e’ r e all s o t h a n kf ul a n d h a p p y t h at w e’ r e d oi n g t hi s. W e’ r e r e all y h a p p y wit h w h at w e h a v e i n t h e f ut u r e a n d a r e l o o ki n g f o r w a r d t o l o o ki n g a h e a d a n d t a c kli n g w h at’ s t o c o m e. W e f e el c o n i d e nt a n d a r e e x cit e d a b o ut t hi n g s. W e’ r e f e eli n g li k e w e’ r e i n a r e all y g o o d s p ot.”

Wit h a mi n o r r o st e r a dj u st m e nt a n d a c h a n g e i n l a b el a n d m a n a g e m e nt, V OI D S i s a n e w e r a f o r M T B, a n d t h at’ s a g o o d t hi n g.

T h e f a ct of t h e m att e r i s t h at Mi n u s T h e B e a r still i s n’t i ni s h e d wit h w h at t h e y h a v e t o s a y. C h a n g e i s o nl y p a rt of t h e j o u r n e y t o b e c o mi n g t h e b e st t h e b a n d c a n b e.

“It’ s j u st a d e si r e t o c r e at e w hi c h I t hi n k i s a h u m a n d e si r e —it’ s s o m et hi n g t h at h u m a n s w a nt t o d o,” M u r c h y s a y s. “ T h e l a st f e w y e a r s I’ v e b e e n f o r c e d t o a s k m y s elf, ‘ S o w h y a r e w e c o nti n ui n g t hi s b a n d ? W h y a r e w e d oi n g t h e h a r d e r t hi n g ri g ht n o w a n d m a ki n g it a d e si r e of o u r s t o k e e p g oi n g a n d k e e p pl a yi n g ?’ I t hi n k it’ s j u st [t h at] w e still f e el li k e w e h a v e m o r e t o d o. I t hi n k it’ s a s si m pl e a s t h at.

It’ s a r e all y a b st r a ct f e eli n g a n d t h o u g ht b ut w e h a v e t hi s d e si r e t o k e e p g oi n g, a n d c r e ati n g i s p a rt of t h at, a n d it’ s w h at k e e p s u s g oi n g. W e’ r e j u st n ot d o n e y et.” S

W e f e el c o n i d e nt a n d a r e e x cit e d a b o ut t hi n g s.

W e’ r e f e eli n g li k e w e’ r e i n a r e all y g o o d s p ot.”

—C O RY M U RC HY

3/10 Boise, I D @ Knitting Factory

3/12 De nver, C O @ Su m mit Music Hall

3/18 Ho usto n, T X @ White Oak Music Hall

3/21 Atla nta, G A @ Variety Playhouse

3/23 Ric h mo n d, VA @ The National

3/25 P hiladelp hia, PA @ Union Transfer

3/11 Salt Lake City, UT @ The Depot

3/14 Dallas, T X @ Granada Theater

3/20 Orla n do, FL @ Beacha m Theater

3/22 C harlotte, NC @ The Underground

3/24 Was hi ngto n, DC @ Black Cat

3/26 Bosto n, M A @ Royale

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S U B S T R E A M M A G A ZI N E //

S U B S T R E A M]

53

54

[ S U B S T R E A MM A G A ZI N E. C O M ]

MAGGIE ROGERS

T HE METE O RI C RISE of

M a g gi e R o g e r s i s h a vi n g a m o m e nt.

M o r e p r e ci s el y, s h e i s h a vi n g t h e l at e st i n a s e ri e s of m o m e nt s t h at n o o n e c o ul d h a v e p r e di ct e d e v e n a y e a r a g o.

F r o m t u r ni n g vi r al vi d e o f a m e i nt o a bi g l a b el d e al, t o s u r r o u n di n g h e r s elf wit h a t e a m t h at s u p p o rt s t h e u ni q u e t r ait s t h at m a k e h e r u ni q u e b r a n d of u n p r e di ct a bilit y g r o u n d e d i n a r e alit y a n y o n e c a n r el at e t o, t h e r e c e nt c oll e g e g r a d u at e h a s q ui c kl y c a r v e d a ni c h e f o r h e r s elf i n t h e i n c r e a si n gl y c r o w d e d w o rl d of e nt e rt ai n m e nt t h at i s h e r s a n d h e r s al o n e. Wit h a n i n c r e di bl e E P titl e d N o w T h at T h e Li g ht I s F a di n g h a vi n g j u st b e e n r el e a s e d a n d t w o s ol d- o ut t o u r s o n t h e h o ri z o n, 2 0 1 7 i s s h a pi n g u p t o b e e v e n bi g g e r.

W h e n R o g er s i niti all y c o n n e ct e d f or o ur c o n v er s ati o n, t h e 2 2- y e ar- ol d M ar yl a n d n ati v e b e hi n d t h e 2 0 1 6 vir al s e n s ati o n “ Al a s k a” h a d j u st l e ar n e d t h at a n u p c o mi n g p erf or m a n c e at t h e M u si c H all of Willi a m s b ur g i n Br o o kl y n, N e w Y or k h a d s ol d o ut i n u n d er t hr e e mi n ut e s.

“It’ s i n s a n e,” e x cl ai m s R o g e r s, “I j u st c a n’t e v e n f at h o m it, h o n e stl y. I t hi n k n u m b e r s a r e s o st r a n g e. Li k e, w h at d o e s 1 0 0, 0 0 0 p e o pl e m e a n ? W h at d o e s s ol d o ut i n t h r e e mi n ut e s m e a n ? I g u e s s it m e a n s I g et t o m a k e m o r e m u si c a n d t h at’ s all I r e all y c a r e a b o ut, b ut it’ s ki n d of h a r d t o q u a ntif y. It’ s j u st a n u m b e r.”

R o g e r s’ w o r d s m a y p r e s e nt h e r a s c al m a n d c o ol, b ut t h e r e i s a n e x cit e m e nt i n h e r v oi c e e v e n s h e c a n n ot d e n y. “It’ s d e i nit el y s o m et hi n g c o ol t o t e xt m y p a r e nt s. It’ s all ki n d of sill y t o m e, b ut I a m e x cit e d t h at p e o pl e a r e e x cit e d a b o ut t h e m u si c b e c a u s e it m e a n s a l ot t o m e.

T h e r e i s s o m et hi n g g r e at a b o ut k n o wi n g ot h e r p e o pl e a r e i n di n g s o m e ki n d of e m oti o n al g r o u n d i n it.”

T hi s i s a f a r di f e r e nt sit u ati o n t h a n t h e o n e R o g e r s f o u n d h e r s elf i n w h e n s h e l a st pl a y e d B r o o kl y n i n t h e s p ri n g of 2 0 1 6. “I pl a y e d a s h o w, s e c o n d of t h r e e b a n d s, l a st M a r c h,” s h e r e c all s.

“I w a s pl a yi n g i n a g r u n g y r o c k b a n d at t h e ti m e, s o it h a s b e e n a s e c o n d.”

P o p m u si c a n d milli o n s a r o u n d t h e gl o b e w h o e nj o y it m a y j u st b e t u ni n g i nt o R o g e r s’ m at e ri al, b ut t h e y o u n g si n g e r- s o n g w rit e r h a s a ct u all y b e e n m a ki n g m u si c f o r t h e m aj o rit y of h e r lif e. Aft e r l e a r ni n g t o pl a y t h e h a r p at a g e s e v e n, R o g e r s b e g a n a l o v e a f ai r wit h m u si c a n d c r e ati vit y t h at c o nti n u e s t o t hi s d a y. S h e w r ot e a n d r e c o r d e d h e r i r st f ull-l e n gt h r e c o r d, 2 0 1 2’ s T h e

E c h o , i n h e r f a mil y’ s b r o o m cl o s et w hil e still i n hi g h s c h o ol. T h at al b u m, w hi c h l e a n e d h e a vil y o n t h e i n l u e n c e of f ol k m u si c, w a s f oll o w e d t w o y e a r s l at e r b y a n ot h e r i n d e p e n d e nt f ull-l e n gt h, titl e d T h e Bl o o d B all et .

A q ui c k G o o gl e s e a r c h f o r t h o s e r e c o r d s will yi el d f e w r e s ult s. S o m e m at e ri al r e m ai n s o n Y o u T u b e, l a r g el y b e c a u s e it w a s u pl o a d e d b y f a n s of R o g e r s’ w o r k, b ut n o st r e a mi n g s e r vi c e c u r r e ntl y c a r ri e s R o g e r s’ e a rl y e f o rt s.

“It’ s ki n d of a f u n n y st o r y,” R o g e r s s a y s. “ B ef o r e t h at vi d e o w e nt vi r al, b ef o r e a n yt hi n g h a p p e n e d, I w a s p r e p a ri n g m y r é s u m é t o s e n d o ut f o r j o b s. I w a s a s e ni o r i n c oll e g e a n d I h a d t hi s t h o u g ht t h at m a y b e t h e r e c o r d I m a d e i n m y cl o s et w h e n I w a s 1 7 d o e s n’t n e e d t o b e wi d el y a v ail a bl e. S o I t o o k it d o w n, b ut at t h e l a st mi n ut e I d e ci d e d t o l e a v e it o n B a n d c a m p f o r a s h o rt p e ri o d. W h e n I e v e nt u all y r e q u e st e d it b e r e m o v e d, t h e r e w a s a bit of l a g i n c o m m u ni c ati o n, s o t h e y di d n’t g et r e m o v e d u ntil aft e r I h a d t w o o r t h r e e s o n g s o n t h e S p otif y c h a rt s. I’ m r e all y p r o u d of t h at m at e ri al, a n d I t hi n k it’ s a r e all y i m p o rt a nt p a rt of m y n a r r ati v e. Y o u c a n h e a r m e l e a r n p r o d u cti o n a n d s o n g w riti n g. I pl a n t o w o r k it b a c k i nt o w h at I’ m d oi n g n o w b e c a u s e it’ s a g o o d p a rt of t h e st o r y.”

T h e vi r al vi d e o R o g e r s i s r ef e r ri n g t o i s n o w wi d el y c o n si d e r e d t o b e t h e cli p t h at l a u n c h e d h e r i nt o t h e p u bli c e y e. R o g e r s h a d n ot w ritt e n m u si c i n t h r e e y e a r s’ ti m e w h e n l a st M a r c h, i n a s u d d e n it of c r e ati vit y, s h e w r ot e a n d p r o d u c e d a r o u g h v e r si o n of w h at w o ul d b e c o m e h e r hit si n gl e, “ Al a s k a.”

F o u r d a y s l at e r, R o g e r s, t h e n a s e ni o r at N Y U, pl a y e d t h e t r a c k i n a m a st e r cl a s s h o st e d b y m e g a- p r o d u c e r a n d p o p hit m a k e r P h a r r ell Willi a m s, w hi c h s h e di d n ot k n o w w a s b ei n g il m e d.

W h e n t h e s o n g i ni s h e d, Willi a m s, w h o a p p e a r e d t o b e o n t h e v e r g e of t e a r s, t ol d R o g e r s. “ W o w. I h a v e z e r o, z e r o, z e r o n ot e s f o r t h at. It’ s si n g ul a r, a n d t h at i s s u c h a s p e ci al q u alit y.” T h e vi d e o b e g a n m a ki n g it s w a y a c r o s s m u si c bl o g s a n d s o ci al m e di a n ot l o n g aft e r.

“I t hi n k t h e w a y [t hi s h a s] h a p p e n e d h a s b e e n t h e bi g g e st gift,” R o g e r s s a y s. “I n t h at vi d e o I g et t o s p e a k b ef o r e m y m u si c i s pl a y e d. It’ s n ot t h at oft e n t h at y o u’ r e gi v e n t h e a bilit y t o b e c o m pl et el y a ut h e nti c o n a wi d e pl atf o r m, a n d it’ s m a d e e v e r yt hi n g el s e a littl e e a si e r.”

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R o g e r s i s n ot w r o n g i n b eli e vi n g h e r sit u ati o n t o b e u ni q u e. T h e m aj o rit y of a rti st s h o pi n g t o l e a v e a m a r k o n t h e w o rl d of m u si c a r e i nt r o d u c e d t o t h e w o rl d i r st b y t h ei r si n gl e.

T h e g e n e r al p u bli c t y pi c all y k n o w s v e r y littl e a b o ut t h e a rti st o r g r o u p b e hi n d a s o n g u ntil s ai d t r a c k h a s b e c o m e a hit a n d t h e m e di a t a k e s a n i nt e r e st i n t h e p e o pl e w h o c r e at e d it. T h e r e a s o n f o r a s o n g’ s c r e ati o n a n d t h e m e s s a g e a n a rti st h o p e s t o c o n v e y t h r o u g h it i s oft e n c o n si d e r e d s e c o n d a r y t o it s c at c hi n e s s, b ut b e c a u s e of R o g e r s’ u n u s u al m et h o d of a r ri v al s h e h a s b e e n a bl e t o s h o w c a s e w h o s h e i s a s a p e r s o n w hil e al s o p r o m oti n g h e r a rt. T hi s i s a g o o d t hi n g, t o o, b e c a u s e R o g e r s’ m u si c i s a di r e ct r e s ult of w h o s h e i s a n d t h e e x p e ri e n c e s t h at h a v e s h a p e d t h e w o m a n s h e’ s b e c o mi n g. “ T h e w a y I m a k e m u si c h a s al w a y s b e e n i n r e s p o n s e t o t hi n g s g oi n g o n i n m y lif e. It’ s h o w I t hi n k t h r o u g h m y lif e. It’ s w h at I d o t o m a k e m y s elf f e el b ett e r, b ut t h e n a g ai n...it’ s n ot e v e n t h at. It’ s w h at c o m e s n at u r all y, a n d I f e el b ett e r d oi n g it. B ut b e c a u s e m y m u si c i s s o p e r s o n al it h a s b e e n a w e s o m e t o s e e p e o pl e c o n n e ct wit h it i n t h ei r o w n w a y. C r e ati n g t hi s m u si c h a s l e d t o m u c h l e s s st r e s s, a n d I d o n’t r e all y f e el o v e r w h el m e d. I n t h e e n d I o nl y r e all y h a v e t o b e m y s elf, a n d t h at i s r e all y e a s y.”

B ei n g h o n e st a b o ut w h o t h e y a r e a n d w h at t h e y st a n d f o r i s a cl ai m a l ot of a rti st s m a k e, b ut t h e r e i s s o m et hi n g a b o ut t h e c o n vi cti o n i n R o g e r s’ v oi c e t h at a d d s a n ot h e r l e v el of c r e di bilit y t o h e r w o r d s. T h e att e nti o n s h e’ s g etti n g n o w m a y b e ni c e, b ut s h e u n d e r st a n d s it m a y n ot al w a y s b e t h at w a y, a n d t h at’ s p e rf e ctl y o k a y. A s s h e e x pl ai n s, “If I d e ci d e t o g o b a c k t o m a ki n g p u n k m u si c i n t w o y e a r s, it’ s li k e, w ell, I n e v e r t ol d a n y o n e I w a s o nl y g oi n g t o m a k e p o p m u si c. I h a v e al s o b e e n a f ol k a rti st. I’ m j u st b ei n g m e, m a ki n g w h at I w a nt t o m a k e, a n d if p e o pl e li k e it t h e n t h at i s g r e at, b ut if n ot t h at i s c o ol t o o.”

The wayI make music has al ways beenin response to things going on in mylife.”

— M A G GI E R O G E R S

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K ati a T e m ki n

W h e n t h e o i ci al v e r si o n of “ Al a s k a ” w a s r el e a s e d i n t h e f all of 2 0 1 6, it di d n ot t a k e l o n g f o r t h e i nt e r n et a n d p o p r a di o t o t a k e n oti c e of R o g e r s’ u ni q u e s o u n d. T h e s o n g b o a st s a b o u n c y, si m pli sti c b e d of li g ht s y nt h a n d b a s s t h at c o m pl e m e nt s R o g e r s’ s o ot hi n g c r o o n. O n e h e sit at e s t o c all t h e m at e ri al u nt r o u bl e d a s t h e l y ri c s d et ail t h e e n d of a r el ati o n s hi p a n d h o w R o g e r s lit e r all y h a d t o t r a v el t o w h at m a n y c o n si d e r t h e e n d of t h e E a rt h t o i n all y m o v e o n, b ut t h e r e i s a n i nf e cti o u s n e s s t o t h e t r a c k t h at i s h a r d t o s h a k e.

W h e n a s k e d w h y s h e b eli e v e s p e o pl e w e r e q ui c k t o e m b r a c e “ Al a s k a” f oll o wi n g it s r el e a s e, R o g e r s i s q ui c k t o s a y t h at s h e d o e s n ot w a nt t o m a k e a n y p r e s u m pti o n s a b o ut h e r f a n s. “I d o n’t k n o w if I f e el c o mf o rt a bl e a n s w e ri n g f o r ot h e r p e o pl e,” s h e s a y s. “I f e el li k e aft e r b ei n g o n t o u r a n d t al ki n g t o p e o pl e w h o t ol d m e w h at t h e s o n g m e a nt t o t h e m o r w h at it g ot t h e m t h r o u g h, I t hi n k t h e y u n d e r st a n d it i s a s o n g a b o ut st r e n gt h.

It’ s a s o n g a b o ut m o vi n g p a st s o m e o n e o r s o m et hi n g a n d w a nti n g t o c el e b r at e t h at f a ct, w hi c h I t hi n k i s s o m et hi n g w e all f e el aft e r w e g et o v e r a di i c ult p e ri o d i n o u r li v e s. I

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t hi n k wit h m u si c, if y o u c a n d e s c ri b e y o u r e m oti o n s h o n e stl y, t h e n t h e r e i s s o m et hi n g h u m a n a b o ut it t h at e v e r y o n e f e el s. ‘ Al a s k a,’ f o r m e, i s d e e pl y p e r s o n al a n d h o n e st. T h e r e i s n o p o eti c li c e n s e. It i s q uit e lit e r al. It’ s a s o n g a b o ut m e i n di n g m y v oi c e — b ot h lit e r all y a n d i g u r ati v el y — a n d I b eli e v e t h at i s r el at a bl e.”

Of c o u r s e, “ Al a s k a” i s n ot t h e o nl y s o n g R o g e r s s h a r e d wit h f a n s a h e a d of t h e o i ci al r el e a s e of h e r C a pit ol R e c o r d s d e b ut E P. F oll o w e r s n e w a n d ol d w e r e al s o t r e at e d t o “ D o g Y e a r s,” w hi c h s h e cl ai m s i s a s o n g a b o ut r e m e m b e ri n g h o w t hi n g s will b e all ri g ht i n t h e e n d, a n d a s elf- p r o cl ai m e d ‘ p a rt y j a m’ titl e d “ O n + O f.” T h e l att e r of t h e t w o, w hi c h h a d it s o i ci al vi d e o r el e a s e o n F e b r u a r y 1, i s p e r h a p s t h e o n e t h at e x cit e s R o g e r s t h e m o st. “[ W h e n c h o o si n g it] I t h o u g ht a b o ut h o w c o ol it w o ul d b e if I g ot p e o pl e t o st a rt t hi n ki n g I w a s o n e t hi n g a s a n a rti st, t h e n r el e a s e a t hi r d s o n g t h at t ell s t h e m I c a n d o ot h e r t hi n g s a s w ell. It’ s w o r ki n g o ut w ell s o f a r.”

S h o rtl y aft e r t h e 2 0 1 6 U. S. el e cti o n, R o g e r s al s o s h a r e d a d e m o f o r a s o n g t h at will n ot a p p e a r o n N o w T h at T h e Li g ht I s F a di n g , titl e d “ #.” T h e s o n g, r e c o r d e d a n d r el e a s e d

f r o m a L o n d o n H ot el, f o u n d R o g e r s s h a ri n g h e r t h o u g ht s a n d f e a r s o v e r e v e r yt hi n g t h at h a d h a p p e n e d a n d w h at w a s y et t o c o m e (“ Gl o b al g ri ef h a n g s h e a v y a s s u m m e r h e at d r e n c h e d i n r a g e a n d c r yi n g f o r r eli ef”). “ T h at s o n g i s t h e b e st w a y I c o ul d a rti c ul at e h o w I w a s f e eli n g at t h e ti m e,” R o g e r s e x pl ai n s, “ b ut I d o f e el if I c a n i n s o m e w a y b e t hi s v oi c e f o r o pti mi s m a n d e m p at h y t h e n I n e e d t o b e.”

T h e w e e k e n d b ef o r e o u r i nt e r vi e w t o o k pl a c e, t h e i nt e r n ati o n al n e w s w a s ill e d wit h h e a dli n e s c o v e ri n g t h e p r ot e st s a n d p oliti c al r e s p o n s e t o a n e x e c uti v e o r d e r i s s u e d b y U. S. P r e si d e nt D o n al d Tr u m p t h at b a r r e d citi z e n s of s e v e n M u sli m- m aj o rit y c o u nt ri e s f r o m e nt e ri n g t h e U. S. f o r a p e ri o d of 9 0 d a y s. T h e o r d e r al s o s u s p e n d e d t h e U nit e d St at e s’ r ef u g e e s y st e m f o r a p e ri o d of 1 2 0 d a y s. C o n si d e ri n g R o g e r s’ w o r k o n “ #,” o n e m u st b e c u ri o u s a s t o h e r f e eli n g s o n t h e m att e r a n d w h et h e r si mil a r m at e ri al mi g ht b e i n h e r f ut u r e.

“I c e rt ai nl y d o n’t f e el li k e b ei n g q ui et a b o ut e v e r yt hi n g h a p p e ni n g ri g ht n o w, b ut I a m t r yi n g t o fi g u r e o ut t h e b e st w a y f o r m e t o a d d r e s s t h e m. P o p m u si c i s v e r y d a r k ri g ht

ON TOUR

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n o w, a n d I t hi n k t h at i s a n i m p o rt a nt t hi n g t o n ot e b e c a u s e i n ti m e s of c h a n g e t h r o u g h o ut hi st o r y p o p a rti st s h a v e r efl e ct e d c ult u r al c o n s ci o u s n e s s. I’ m h o pi n g t o b e a s o rt of li g ht i n t h at. I t hi n k m u si c b ri n g s p e o pl e t o g et h e r, a n d it v e r y e a sil y r e v e al s t h e c o m m o n alit y b et w e e n u s.”

A l ot of t h e c o m m o n alit y R o g e r s s p e a k s of c a n b e f o u n d i n h e r li v e s h o w, w h e r e f a n s r e p r e s e nti n g all a g e s a n d r a c e s g at h e r t o c o n n e ct t h r o u g h h e r c r e ati vit y, b ut t h at d o e s n ot st o p R o g e r s f r o m b ei n g t r u e t o w h o s h e i s at all ti m e s. “ T hi n ki n g b a c k o n t o u r, t h e r e w e r e a f e w ti m e s w h e r e I s p o k e u p b e c a u s e of t hi n g s I e x p e ri e n c e d, li k e c at c all s. I t hi n k t h at i s a r e all y g r e at e x a m pl e of h o w I a m o nl y a bl e t o b e w h o I a m a n d f e el h o w I f e el.

I c a n o nl y e x p r e s s m y v al u e s, a n d if t h at c a n b e a n e x a m pl e f o r s o m e o n e, t h at’ s g r e at. I c a n o nl y b e w h o I a m, t hi n k w h at I t hi n k, a n d m a k e w h at I m a k e. I’ m g oi n g t o d o t h at, a n d I’ m g oi n g t o d o t h at wit h a s m u c h st r e n gt h, t e n a cit y, a n d p o w e r a s p o s si bl e. A n d w h e n I s a y p o w e r, I r e all y j u st m e a n c o n vi cti o n. I’ m a n o pti mi st a n d I’ m a f e mi ni st,” s h e c o nti n u e s, “ b ut I’ m n ot t r yi n g t o b e a r ol e m o d el f o r y o u r si x- y e a r- ol d. I a m j u st t r yi n g t o b e m e. If y o u w a nt y o u r c hil d t o c o m e t o t h e s h o w, t h at’ s a w e s o m e, b ut if I s w e a r i n t h e s h o w t h e n j u st k n o w I a m still b ei n g m e.”

D e s pit e r el e a si n g t w o f ull-l e n gt h r e c o r d s p ri o r t o j oi ni n g t h e C a pit ol R e c o r d s f a mil y, R o g e r s h a d n ot g o n e o n t o u r p ri o r t o t h e st a rt of t h e n e w y e a r. S h e c o m pl et e d h e r i r st t w ow e e k, ni n e- d at e r u n s h o rtl y b ef o r e t h e ti m e of o u r i nt e r vi e w. H e r i niti al i m p r e s si o n s of lif e o n t h e r o a d a r e p o siti v e, b ut R o g e r s h e r s elf a d mit s s h e i s still v e r y m u c h i n di n g h e r f o oti n g. “I h e sit at e t o s p e a k t o o s o o n b e c a u s e it’ s still s u c h a n e w t hi n g f o r m e, b ut I r e all y e nj o y e x pl o ri n g n e w citi e s o n m y m o r ni n g r u n s, a n d I i n d e v e r y p e rf o r m a n c e i s u ni q u e i n it s o w n w a y.”

F a n- il m e d vi d e o s of R o g e r s’ i niti al p e rf o r m a n c e s i n J a n u a r y h a v e al r e a d y b e g u n t o i n d a lif e of t h ei r o w n o nli n e. O n e cli p i n p a rti c ul a r, r e c o r d e d d u ri n g a p e rf o r m a n c e of “ Al a s k a” i n C h a rl ott e s vill e, Vi r gi ni a, q ui c kl y g a r n e r e d t h o u s a n d s of pl a y s b e c a u s e it c a pt u r e s R o g e r s’ i n a bilit y t o hi d e h e r h a p pi n e s s w h e n t h e v ol u m e of t h e a u di e n c e b e gi n s t o o v e rt a k e h e r o w n b a n d.

“I’ v e l e a r n e d t h r o u g h all of t hi s t o b e c o m e i n c r e di bl y p r e s e nt,” s h e s a y s of t h e vi d e o. “It’ s s u p e r e x citi n g i n t h e s etli st w h e n I pl a y o n e of t h o s e s o n g s a n d e v e r y o n e k n o w s

t h e w o r d s, b ut t h e n I st o p a n d a s k m y s elf w h at it will b e li k e w h e n p e o pl e k n o w e v e r y w o r d t o e v e r y s o n g.”

R o g e r s w o n’t h a v e t o w ait v e r y l o n g t o i n d o ut a s s h e i s c u r r e ntl y b o o k e d o n t w o h e a dli ni n g t o u r s — o n e i n E u r o p e a n d o n e i n t h e U nit e d St at e s — w hi c h h a v e b ot h s ol d o ut n e a rl y all st o p s. All t hi s, n ot t o m e nti o n a b e v y of f r e e p r o m oti o n f r o m i nt e r n et p u bli c ati o n s a n d o ut s p o k e n f a n s o n T witt e r, h a s R o g e r s p o siti o n e d f o r h e r bi g g e st y e a r t o d at e.

“I’ m j u st e x cit e d t o b e m a ki n g m u si c.

I k n o w I h a v e s ai d t h at b ef o r e i n t hi s c o n v e r s ati o n, b ut it r e all y i s t h e t r ut h. It i s h a r d f o r m e t o pi ct u r e t h e f ut u r e ri g ht n o w. I r e ali z e d t h at r e c e ntl y. H o n e stl y, b ef o r e a w e e k a g o I di d n’t k n o w w h at it w a s li k e t o b e o n t o u r. S o pi ct u ri n g b ei n g o n t o u r, w h at it will b e li k e, a n d t h e n c o n si d e ri n g w h at I mi g ht w a nt aft e r t h at s e e m s i m p o s si bl e. Ri g ht n o w I c a n m a y b e g u e s s w h at it will f e el li k e i n M a r c h o r A p ril, b ut it i s s u c h a n e w r e alit y t h at it i s h a r d f o r m e t o pi ct u r e it, g a u g e it, a n d k n o w h o w it will f e el.”

S h e c o nti n u e s, “I t hi n k t h e b e st p a rt a b o ut g etti n g t o pl a y t h e s e s o n g s li v e i s n ot o nl y t o s e e p e o pl e d a n c e, si n g, a n d c o m e t o g et h e r t o f o r m a c o m m u nit y, b ut al s o t h at I g et b o r e d of m y m at e ri al i n t h e b e st w a y p o s si bl e. I al r e a d y h a v e t hi s f e eli n g t h at I n e e d t o m a k e m o r e, a n d t h at f o r m e i s t h e m o st e x citi n g t hi n g. It’ s a n i n c r e di bl e p ri vil e g e t o w a k e u p e v e r y m o r ni n g a n d t hi n k a b o ut m u si c.”

W h e n a s k e d a b o ut t h e c h all e n g e of m ai nt ai ni n g c r e ati vit y, R o g e r s s e e m s r e a d y f o r w h at e v e r t h e i n d u st r y c a n t h r o w h e r w a y. S h e c h a s e s i d e a s u ntil t h e y a r e f ull y r e ali z e d a n d t h e n m o v e s o n. A s s h e p ut s it, “ T h e v e r y n e xt d a y y o u t hi n k, ‘ O k a y, t h at i s o v e r. W h at d o I d o t o d a y ?’ T h e a n s w e r i s: K e e p g oi n g.” S

M A G GI E' S P L A Y LI S T Wa x a h at c h e e “ Wit h You”

( J e s si c a Si m p s o n C o v e r) f r o m Gi rl s, V ol. 3

H alf Br e e d “Frog Logic”

f r o m O u r Fri e n d, T h e C a ct u s

Br o k e n S o ci al S c e n e “ S weetest Kill” f r o m F o r gi v e n e s s R o c k R e c or d

Kr a u s “ T hree”

fr o m E n d T o m orr o w

M ar g ar et Gl a s p y “E motio ns A nd Mat h”

f r o m E m oti o n s A n d M at h

In the endI only really have to be myself, and thatis really easy.”

— M A G GI E R O G E R S

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L E A D R E VI E W

MI N U S T HE BE AR T h e r e a r e v e r y f e w b a n d s a bl e t o bl e n d t r a diti o n al i n st r u m e nt s wit h el e ct r o ni c s a s s u c c e s sf ull y a s Mi n u s T h e B e a r, e s p e ci all y i n t h e w o rl d of i n d e p e n d e nt r o c k.

Of c o u r s e, pl e nt y of b a n d s i n c o r p o r at e k e y b o a r d s i nt o t h ei r s o u n d, a n d p r o g r a m mi n g, a n d d r u m m a c hi n e s — b ut t h e s e s y nt h eti c el e m e nt s t o o oft e n st a n d a p a rt f r o m t h e ot h e r i n st r u m e nt s; ulti m at el y, t h ei r s e a m s s h o w. S o m e h o w, Mi n u s T h e B e a r’ s s o n g s al w a y s f e el s o s e a ml e s s — s q u a w ki n g l e a d s t h at c o ul d b e g uit a r s o r s y nt h s, w a v e ri n g c h o r d s t h at w e a v e b et w e e n w h at’ s st r u m m e d, d r u m s t o o p r e ci s e a n d c o m pl e x n ot t o b e p r o g r a m m e d ( b ut n e v e r a r e). T h e eff e ct h a s al w a y s b e e n f ull a n d f a s ci n ati n g a n d w ei r d, b ut m e m o r a bl e. O n V OI D S, w hi c h m a r k s Mi n u s T h e B e a r’ s r et u r n t o S ui ci d e S q u e e z e R e c o r d s, t h e b a n d di s pl a y s t hi s s e a ml e s s bl e n d. “ Gi v e & T a k e,” f o r e x a m pl e, o p e n s wit h n oi s y c h o r d s, d r o p pi n g o n e a c h d o w n b e at wit h t h e f o r c e of a p al m o n a pi a n o. I n st e a d of s e p a r at e i n st r u m e nt s — a b u z zi n g b a s s, a wi n ci n g

V OI D S

S UICI DE S Q UEEZE (suicidesqueeze.net)

s y nt h, s o ot y g uit a r s t h at still gli nt i n t h e li g ht —t h e y c o al e s c e i nt o a si n gl e s o u n d, st a y t o g et h e r e v e n a s a st utt e ri n g d r u m b e at e nt e r s, a s a q ui et a r p e g gi o c a s c a d e s b e hi n d t h e s o n g, a s si n g e r a n d g uit a ri st J a k e S ni d e r s h u l e s i nt o t h e s p otli g ht. T h e s e i n st r u m e nt s s m e a r t o g et h e r d u ri n g t h e s o n g’ s c h o r u s, b e c o mi n g a r o a r t h at s e e m s t o r a di at e.

It h a p p e n s a g ai n o n “ R o b oti c H e a rt,” w h e r e t h e i n st r u m e nt s b u c k a n d r e a r li k e biti n g a ni m al s, a n d o n s oft e r s o n g s li k e “ C all T h e C o p s,” w h e r e, d u ri n g t h e c h o r u s, t h e g uit a r s a n d pi a n o a n d s y nt h ( a n d e v e n S ni d e r’ s ai r y h o wl) t a n gl e i nt o a bl o o mi n g b o u q u et.

T h e s e s o n g s n e v er s e e m c o n v ol ut e d, o r e v e n c o m pli c at e d.

S o m e h o w, a s o n g li k e “I n vi si bl e” — wit h it s l a y e r s of c h o r d s, it s li c k e ri n g g uit a r s, it s p ol y r h yt h mi c t e n d e n ci e s — f e el s s p a r s e, a s si m pl e a n d c at c h y a s a n y t o p t e n si n gl e. D u ri n g it s c h o r u s, t h e g uit a r s f all o n t h e o f b e at s a r o u n d S ni d e r’ s ni m bl e m el o d y o nl y t o b e d r o p ki c k e d b a c k i n t h e ai r b y t h e d r u m b e at.

T h e s a m e g o e s wit h “ Sil v e r,” d e s pit e it s sti c k y g uit a r li c k s. Mi n u s T h e B e a r h a s b e e n c all e d a “ m at h y” b a n d a milli o n

[

ti m e s, a n d t h e s e s o n g s di s pl a y t h o s e c h a r a ct e ri sti c s, b ut t h e y n e v e r b e c o m e t o o a n g ul a r o r i n a c c e s si bl e; t h e y n e v e r l o s e t h ei r 4 / 4 f e el e v e n w h e n t h e y h o p ti m e si g n at u r e s.

Still, t h er e ar e s o m e m o m e nt s w h er e V OI D S h a s n o p u n c h: o n “ W h at A b o ut T h e B o at ?” wit h it s c hi pt u n e a ur a, or o n c a v er n o u s cl o s er “ Li g ht h o u s e.”

T h e s e s o n g s ar e ri c h a n d b e a utif ul, s ur e, b ut l e s s i m m e di at e, a n d l e a st li k e t h e Mi n u s T h e B e ar of a d e c a d e a g o. T h e b e st s o n g s o n V OI D S — li k e t h e b e st s o n g s o n M e n o s el O s o or Pl a n et Of I c e — ar e all m o m e nt u m. T a k e “ T a m e B e a st s,” wit h it s br a yi n g g uit ar s a n d ki c k y b e at; t h e s o n g s c o ot s t hr o u g h it s v er s e s, t h e n t u m bl e s i nt o a c h or u s t h at’ s all o v er dri v e a n d vi br ati o n. H er e, t h e b a n d b e c o m e s a m el o di c si n g ul arit y, a c o h e si v e a n d h ar m o ni c di n, b ut o nl y f or a m o m e nt.

P e r h a p s t hi s i s w h y Mi n u s T h e B e a r a r e t h e m a st e r s of t hi s bl e n d e d s o u n d: T h e b a n d k n o w s w h e n t o t wi st t o g et h e r, w h e n t o s pl a y a p a rt, a n d w h e n t o e x pl o d e. — D a n e E r b a c h

T O P T R AC K: “Ta me Beasts”

S U B S T R E A M M A G A ZI N E //

S U B S T R E A M]

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HI G H LI G H T R E VI E W

RYA N ADA MS P RI S O NE R

PAX-A M (paxa mrecords.co m)

B r o k e n, d e p r e s s e d, di v o r c e d, a n d d e st r u cti v e, R y a n A d a m s h a s h a d q uit e t h e l a st c o u pl e of y e a r s. L u c kil y, P ri s o n e r h a s gi v e n hi m a s e c o n d c h a n c e at r ei n v e nti o n.

T h e r e c o r d i s s o ulf ul, e cl e cti c, a n d f ull of vi b r a nt m el o di e s a n d n u a n c e s li st e n e r s h a v e n’t h e a r d f r o m A d a m s i n s o m e ti m e. T h e si n gl e a p p r o p ri at el y titl e d “ D o Y o u Still L o v e M e ?” i s a l o v e b all a d wit h p o w e rf ul c h o r d s a n d s y nt h c o u pl e d wit h t h e h e a rtf elt a n d p o eti c, s o ul- b e a ri n g l y ri c s A d a m s i s k n o w n f o r ( b ut wit h l e s s bl u e g r a s s- y el e m e nt s). W hil e t h e r e c o r d i s ulti m at el y d a r k a n d b r o o di n g o v e r all wit h t r a c k s li k e “ B r e a k d o w n,” “ D o o m s d a y,” “ H a u nt e d H o u s e,” “ W e Di s a p p e a r,” a n d p r ett y m u c h e v e r y ot h e r s o n g b ei n g a b o ut hi s v e r y p u bli c di v o r c e a n d t h e aft e r m at h, it’ s a n al b u m wit h c h ut z p a h a n d d ri v e. “ A n yt hi n g I S a y T o Y o u N o w,” “ T o B e Wit h o ut Y o u,” a n d “ P ri s o n e r” h ol d f a mili a r u n d e rt o n e s wit h m o r e g uit a r pi c ki n g a n d t h e m el a n c h ol y m o a n s A d a m s i s k n o w n f o r o n H e a rt b r e a k e r . L e n gt h y g uit a r b r e a k s, v a ri e d v o c al t o n e s, a n d b ri g ht s y nt h m a k e t hi s r e c o r d a li g ht at t h e e n d of a t u n n el. — B ri dj et M e n d y u k

T O P T R A C K: “ Haunted House”

M AT T P RYO R Me me nto Mori

E Q UAL VISI O N / R O RY (rory-records.co m)

Matt Pryor is no stranger to tender, lo wer-key acoustic fare, and his ne west solo record is a subtle gro wer that again proves his mettle. Me mento Mori lacks upbeat, full-band bu mpers like “ Kinda Go To Pieces” fro m 2013’s Wrist Slitter , but it’s really no matter. Pryor’s soft, quietly gritty voice, acoustic guitars and usually piano carry this concise record well as he mourns the passing of loved ones and waxes poetic on do mestic strife. It’s a so me what dark albu m for sure, but rays of light peak through in “I Won’t Be Afraid,” “Stay,” and the longing “Is This Ho me?,” and it never quite sinks fully into the doldru ms. It’s engrossing all the sa me, as on the shado wy mur mur of “ Where Is Juan Carlos?” and the wistful, slide guitar- lecked “A S mall Explosion.” Pryor’s already a massed an expansive catalog of quality tunes; Me mento Mori adds a so mber feather in his cap. — Brian Shultz T O P T R A C K: “ Where Is Juan Carlos?”

L O S C A M P E SI N O S! Sic k Sce nes

WIC HITA REC O R DI N GS ( wichita-recordings.co m)

With Sick Scenes , Los Ca mpesinos! have nearly mastered the rich and co mplex density that co mes with a larger ense mble (in this case, seven me mbers). It’s clear that the band has igured out ho w to mix their nu merous instru ments and vocals in a way that at any given mo ment in a song —the perfect har mony, backing instru ment, or nuance —is shining through exactly as it should. Fro m bouncing punk single “I Broke Up In A marante” to the hu morously titled but absolute thrill of “For Who m The Belly Tolls,” the band unearths ne w ways to wo w listeners with every o fering, both musically and e motionally. At 11 tracks, Sick Scenes never overstays its welco me or beco mes bogged do wn.

Instead, Los Ca mpesinos! have delivered a fun, expressive albu m that serves as proof that just because your band is large, it doesn’t mean you can’t deliver great, tightly produced music. — Gabriel Aikins T O P T R A C K: “The Fall Of Ho me”

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J AY S O M

Every bo dy Wor ks

HI P P O C A M P U S P OLYVI NYL (polyvinylrecords.co m)

Take a trip inside yourself with Jay So m’s debut albu m, Everybody Works .

The Oakland-based artist takes you on a re lective journey that’ll leave you kno wing yourself a bit better. Things kick o f soft and pretty, with the meditative “Lipstick Stains.” The albu m doesn’t al ways stick with this cal m approach, though, and why should it? Just like there are many facets to the person you are, there are many facets to the art Jay So m has created. Fro m distant but incredibly real tracks that make you want to wander around in a city you kno w by heart for the very irst ti me, to beats that transport you to days gone by, to punk rock angst that’ll re mind you why you matter, Everybody Works lets you believe you’re anyone and everyone you want to be —and maybe you should listen, because who’s to say we shouldn’t e mbrace every corner of ourselves? —E millie Marvel T O P T R A C K: “1 Billion Dogs”

T E N NI S

Yo urs Co n ditio nally

M UT UALLY DET RI ME NTAL ( mutuallydetri mental.co m)

Written half on land and half at sea, Yours Conditionally inds Tennis hazily s waying do wn the beach in the retro fashion that’s co me to de ine the band. Tennis re mains apt at blending classic in luences with modern indie sensibilities, though the duo’s sound has shifted slightly fro m ‘60s pop (“ Please Don’t Ruin This For Me”) to ward ‘70s soul (“ My E motions Are Blinding”). Front wo man and lyricist Alaina Moore splits ti me bet ween paying tribute to her relationship with band mate-spouse Patrick Riley and conte mplating ho w that aligns with her fe minist mindset. Moore proves as capable of gently cooing “ without you, my love, the feeling’s gone co mpletely” (“10 Minutes 10 Years”) as wittily quipping “ladies just need your love, don’t you kno w we’re all caught up in it?” (“Ladies Don’t Play Guitar”). Perhaps most me morable about the band’s fourth albu m is a gro wing ability to manipulate in luences into a sound more distinctly modern than its past releases. —Ca meron Carr T O P T R A C K: “ Please Don’t Ruin This For Me”

La n d mar k G R A N D J U RY (grandjury music.co m)

Minneapolis indie quartet Hippo Ca mpus’ debut record manages to establish enough of a presence to steer a way fro m the co m mon pitfalls of the often over-saturated indie-pop genre. On their pair of 2015 E Ps, the band ce mented a solid irst i mpression with straightfor ward, indie-pop melodies, bouncy guitars, and upte mpo backdrops to set the stage for their forthco ming material. Land mark continues to sho wcase many of the sa me tendencies, yet brings more su m mer-ready hooks (“ Way It Goes”), heart-on-sleeve re lections (“ Monsoon”), and horninfused party starters (“ Boyish”) to the forefront. Though the band occasionally co m mits to ideas that feel too fa miliar (“Si mple Season,” “Vacation”), Hippo Ca mpus certainly prove to be a fresh-faced up-andco mer in a genre so desperately needing more. —Landon Defever T O P T R A C K: “ Way It Goes”

ACCEPTA NCE Colli di n g By Desi g n

RISE (riserecords.co m)

Sopho more albu ms are often hit or miss, and the stakes are even higher when a band’s second albu m is their irst release in over a decade.

Acceptance is back thanks to an incredibly supportive fan base, and their ne w record is sure to please both ne w and long-ti me listeners.

Colliding By Design is the result of 11 tracks bri m ming with stunning a mbiance, starting with “ Diagra m Of A Si mple Man” which earned support fro m Joe Jonas and W WE’s Seth Rollins. Each song has a di ferent vibe, ranging fro m the elegant introspective tone of “73” to radio-ready anthe ms like “ Goodbye,” but together they create a cohesive project that perfectly re lects this ne w chapter for the band. This isn’t a release meant to mirror their 2005 albu m, Phanto ms , nor should it be. Colliding

By Design is entrancing fro m start to inish, and it’s the perfect way for the next generation of music fans to ind Acceptance. — Kate Russell T O P T R A C K: “Fire And Rain”

HI G H LI G H T R E VI E W

L A U R A M A R LI N G

SE M PE R FE MI N A

More Alar ming (laura marling.co m)

L a u r a M a rli n g e m b o di e s e v e r yt hi n g t h at m a k e s f ol k m u si c g r e at, b ut t h e r e’ s o n e a bilit y i n p a rti c ul a r t h at st a n d s o ut o n h e r n e w al b u m, S e m p er F e mi n a : st o r yt elli n g.

E a c h of h e r s o n g s i s li k e li st e ni n g t o a n o v el i n s o n g f o r m; s o vi vi d a n d d e s c ri pti v e a r e h e r l y ri c s. A c r o s s t h e ni n e-t r a c k al b u m M a rli n g n ot o nl y w e a v e s i n di vi d u al st o ri e s, b ut a l a r g e r pi ct u r e of h e r j o u r n e y a s a n a rti st a n d m u si ci a n, wit h a l a r g e h el pi n g of s elf- r e l e cti o n, b uilt u p t h r o u g h st a n d o ut s li k e “ Wil d O n c e.” It’ s a wi stf ul l o o k b a c k at h u m a n n at u r e wit h d eft a n d m a st e rf ul g uit a r pl a yi n g, a s kill M a rli n g p o s s e s s e s t h at will c o n st a ntl y l e a v e y o u b r e at hl e s s t h r o u g h o ut t h e c o u r s e of t h e al b u m. A s wit h all g r e at f ol k, li st e ni n g t o S e m p er F e mi n a f e el s li k e sitti n g d o w n i n t h e s a m e r o o m a s M a rli n g a n d h a vi n g a c o n v e r s ati o n, t h e m u si c c o nt ai ni n g t h e i n viti n g w a r mt h of f ol k wit h t h e h eft a n d i m p o rt of M a rli n g’ s w o r d s. F o r f a n s of f ol k m u si c a n d c o m p elli n g st o r yt elli n g, S e m p er F e mi n a i s a m u st-li st e n. — G a bri el Ai ki n s

T O P T R A C K: “Soothing"

GR A NDADDY

Last Place 30T H CE NT U RY (30thcenturyrecords.co m)

Last Place is a co mfortable return to environs of indie past. The irst Grandaddy albu m in a decade is a modest one, but it sho ws they still have a knack for turning bitters weet melancholy into beautiful songs.

This release its the current era of hindsight- minded entertain ment, but succeeds by being continuation, rather than recreation. It feels born in the past and curated in the years since. A nu mber of Grandaddy conte mporaries ( Mark Linkous, Ja mes Mercer) have worked with Danger Mouse. With this ne w albu m calling Brian Burton’s 30th Century Records ho me, we ind this super producer collaborating with the best of earlyaughts melancholy once again. Grandaddy are still masters of a certain incisive moroseness. Songs see m a ware of that glu mness, but nonchalant about it, giving the very best an honest, modest char m, and on Last Place, they’re at their best when the urgency is understated. —Tyler Hanan T O P T R A C K: “The Boat Is In The Barn”

T H E M E N ZI N G E R S After T he Party

E PITA P H (epitaph.co m)

Continuing the trend of heavy ri fs and even heavier hearts in their poetic storytelling, Philadelphia punk quartet the Menzingers create hooky melodies and invoke honest feelings on the internal debate of being a responsible t wenty-so mething, and still having fun on their ifth full-length release. Whether it’s post-college career struggles (“ Mid western States”) or the feelings of losing the spark that dre w t wo lovers together as ti me passes (“ Black Mass”), After The Party enco mpasses all of the gro wing pains that occur after the party of the early t wenties take place. The Menzingers’ notorious storytelling is at its best in the melodically infectious glance of the longing for ho w life used to be in “ Wings (Your Wild Years).” While the mes presented in After The Party aren’t ne w to any stretch of the i magination, the Menzingers ind a way to make the fa miliar stories both personal and relatable, and give a breath of fresh air to the idea of a life turned mundane. —Eric Spitz T O P T R A C K: “ Wings (Your Wild Years)”

CL AP YO UR H A N DS S AY YE A H T he To urist

A NDRE W MC M A HO N

I N T H E WI L D E R N E S S Zo mbies On Broad way VA NG UAR D (vanguardrecords.co m)

CY HSY (cyhsy.co m)

It’s been over a decade since Philadelphia’s Clap Your Hands Say Yeah sailed into the indie scene on a cloud of internet hype and released their self-titled debut. Much has changed since then —both in ter ms of the world and the band — which no w co mprises sole founding me mber and multi-instru mentalist Alec Ouns worth, but the heart and soul of the band on this ifth albu m is fully intact. That’s presu mably because Ouns worth was al ways the brainchild of the band; he wrote that debut entirely by hi mself, and has done the sa me here. A hazy sense of melancholy runs throughout its ten songs, not least on delicate opener “The Pilot” and the oddball, Modest Mouse-esque beauty of “ Unfolding Above Celibate Moon (Los Angeles Nursery Rhy me).” Even though the quirky, o f-kilter mid-point of “Fireproof” veers into slightly too quirky, o f-kilter territory, ulti mately disrupting the record’s overall mood, this is still a glorious record regardless. — Mischa Pearl man T O P T R A C K: “ Unfolding Above Celibate Moon (Los Angeles Nursery Rhy me)”

Everything Andre w Mc Mahon touches turns to gold. Born out of a love/hate relationship with Ne w York City ( where Mc Mahon irst learned of his cancer diagnosis in 2005), Zo mbies On Broad way is packed with gut-punching, tear-jerking lyrical content and catchy alt-pop melodies. Fro m tales of revelry (“Island Radio”) to more inti mate o ferings (“ Dead Man’s Dollar”), the albu m follo ws Mc Mahon on a journey of rediscovery in a city that delivered so me devastating ne ws. While Mc Mahon’s irst, self-titled release under his ne w moniker fell lat (aside fro m hit singles “Cecilia And The Sky” and “ High Dive”), Zo mbies On Broad way delivers hit after hit, sho wing that no matter what style of music Mc Mahon writes, his signature voice al ways strikes a fa miliar chord. Zo mbies On Broad way is the East Coast L a L a L a n d of sound, begging listeners to explore, ight o f de mons, and allo w the songs to be a soundtrack of ne w discovery. —Jessica Klinner T O P T R A C K: “Shot Out Of A Cannon”

S O R O RI T Y N OI S E

DRE W HOLCO MB

Yo u’re Not As _ _ _ As Yo u T hi n k

A N D T H E N EI G H B O R S So uve nir G O O D TI ME I NC. (goodti meinc.co m)

T RI PLE C R O W N (triplecro wnrecords.co m)

Seven albu ms into their i mpressive career, Dre w Holco mb And The Neighbors have nothing left to prove. They’ve seen and done everything any band could hope to do during their ti me together, yet every year or t wo they have another collection of me morable songs and stories to share. Souvenir is the kind of albu m that can only be written after spending a decent chunk of one’s life on the road. Holco mb and his band use their blend of folk and rock aesthetics to create an albu m that recognizes the fragility of life and urges the listener to make the most of the ti me they have.

It’s an albu m that, not unlike To m Petty’s iconic Wild lo wers, sho wcases every side of Holco mb’s sound without once sacri icing quality for what might be a more trendy, or more co m mercial, sound. —Ja mes Shot well T O P T R A C K: “ Postcard Me mories”

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On their third L P, Sorority Noise have linked with the ideal producer and released a conte mporary rock albu m that pushes the envelope for ward for the whole e mo-rock genre. The albu m is full of expertly crafted, catchy rock tracks with painfully confessional lyrics, like relentless albu m opener “ No Halo,” which bleeds urgency and sets the lyrical scene for a record that deals mostly with the mes of death and loss. The most i mpressive mo ments on the albu m co me along with the band’s masterful control of dyna mics and a mbience in songs like the epic and spra wling “Leave The Fan On,” which dovetails magni icently with the size and scope of producer Mike Sapone’s enor mous sound. You’re Not As _____ As You Think over lo ws with lyrical catharsis and drips with ugly sincerity while reaching ne w sonic heights that set a high- water mark for its genre. — John Bazley T O P T R A C K: “Leave The Fan On”

S U B S T R E A M M A G A ZI N E //

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C HVRC HES P h ot o b y Al e x a Fr a n k o vit c h

OUT NOW

OUT NOW

D E M O N IN M E - “ H E R E S Y O U R W A Y O U T ”

L IG H T T H E F IR E - “A S C E N S IO N ”

OUT NOW

I F ig h t / f a il - “ v o y a g e s & V a n ta g e P o in t s ”

OUT NOW

Je s s e s m it h & t h e h o ly g h o s t “ s / t ”

OUT NOW

P s e u d o F u t u r e - “ t im e s l ip s a w a y ”

OUT NOW

l e a d e r s a n d k in g s - “ s / t ”

S U B S T R E A M

# 5 6 ( M A R

1 7)

M A G GI E

R O G E R S

• MI N U S

T H E

B E A R

• A N D R E W

M C M A H O N

• FI C K L E

F RI E N D S •

D R E W

H O L C O M B

• A C C E P T A N C E

• M E WI T H O U T Y O U

F O R E V E R L Y N

[ S U B S T R E A MM A G A ZI N E. C O M ]

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