Greg Cartwright Interview (Plays Motorco April 19)

Greg Cartwright Doing The Rock N Roll

Greg Cartwright (AKA Greg Oblivian) has been playing music for a long time.  And it's good music.  Like.  Really really really good music.  Greg has been releasing music since the 80s and played in several bands in the Memphis Rock n' Roll scene, eventually making it to a national scale while playing with the Oblivians, a garage rock band that released several records on a bunch of labels like Sympathy for the Record Industry, In the Red, and Crypt Records.  Some of these records are harder to find, but they are well worth the effort to get your hips shaking and your mind happy (See: effects of Rock n' Roll.)

Recently, Greg has been releasing Records on In The Red as The Reigning Sound and The Parting Gifts.  These records are great as well.  Greg goes into some of the reasons why he created other bands than the Oblivians in his interview, but it's all really fun to listen to.

He moved to Asheville fairly recently and played a show with Last Year's Men at the Local 506 before appearing on a split 7" with them on behalf of Scion's strangely cool garage rock emphasis.  Greg will be producing the next Last Year's Men LP, which is bound to be swell.

Greg will be playing a show at Motorco Music Hall this Thursday with Mac McCaughan and The Mountain Goats to promote advocacy against the North Carolina Constitution Amendment One.  The cost is $20 for general admission and $100 for VIP.  It's a great cause and going to be a great concert so do yourselves a favor and purchase a ticket HERE!

I got to talk with Greg about his role in music in the past and today and about the show and amendment one, which has been a blessing.  He puts the reasons for defeating amendment one very clearly and with the most common sense possible.  It's been great hearing his view.

Here Goes!  Greg Cartwright!

Jordan: How did you get into the music business?

Greg:   always loved music as a kid and that led to collecting records, that led to playing in bands and then the next thing you know... I'm in the music business.

Jordan:  Which artists have influenced your music?

Greg:  All of them. Even the bad ones. Maybe the bad ones the most. They're the ones that help me decide what I don't want to sound like.

Jordan:  Do you listen to mostly rock n' roll stuff or does your taste go all over?

Greg:  I like all kinds of music. I get obsessed with things and bop around from decade to decade, all genres. Mostly older stuff. My stock answer used to be "GOOD MUSIC". It's still true. I don't care who, what, when or where. Alls I want to know is "is it good"? I don't listen to much current music unless I'm in a club, seeing and hearing it. Being in a band though, this exposure is quite frequent. So that's a good dose of current musical ideas. Keeps me from getting stale but limits how much I will unconciously take a melody or riff and later think it's my own. As a songwriter that's something I'm always mindful of. Sometimes to the degree of phobia.

Jordan:  What has the move between places like Memphis and Asheville been like?

Greg:  Like night and day.

Jordan:  Which bands have you been in and how do their styles of music link up?

Picture of an Oblivians' Album

Greg:  Painkillers, 68 Comeback, Casey Scott and The Creeps, Alluring Strange, Compulsive Gamblers, Oblivians, Deadly Snakes, Detroit Cobras, Greg Oblivian and the Tip Tops, Reigning Sound, The Parting Gifts... I'm sure I'm leaving something out but that's all I can think of at the moment. As for linking them stylistically, I don't think you can. Link them that is. Even within each band there are wildly shifting styles and ideas from album to album. The common factor is personal compatability. Personal dynamic between the players. It was good for all those bands. That's what kept me hangin' around.

Jordan:  What was it like playing in the Oblivians and how have the members changed what they're doing since? 

Greg:  I don't think anyone's changed fundamentally. Matured probablly, but what I'm always struck by is how little people change, and how I kinda' love that. We just recorded a new Oblivians record. First one in 16 years or so. And I knew that I could count on them when it came to the dynamic that we share as a band. that's a good feeling.

Jordan:  Do you have a particular band or time-frame of music writing that you are proud of?

Greg:  I think all of it will stand, for different reasons. Some because it's idiotic but exciting and some because it's mature and well made. My opinion of it doesn't matter much though. It's like asking me if I'm a good parent, only my kids could tell you with any meaningful perspective.

Jordan:  Do you find that you focus more on producing or making music nowadays?

Greg:  Ha, ha! I'm a scatter brain so it gave me a giggle to think about me focusing on something. Seriously, if it were'nt for my wife I would live in a lean-to in a field with a pile of records... in the rain. I love recording music, whether it's mine or somebody else's though, I love helping to make it happen and helping someone get their music sounding like they want it to. I'm always writting but production work is a nice break from messing with my own music.

Jordan:  Do you have your own studio to record, mix and produce?

Greg:  No, I just go where the band is.

Jordan:  I didn't get my hands on the split 7" with Reigning Sound and Last Year's men, but I got your Abdication 12", how was it working with Scion?

Greg:  It was actually quite pleasant.

Jordan:  I heard you're producing the new Last Year's Men LP, how's that going?

Greg:  It hasn't started yet, but they're a great band.

Jordan:  What projects are you working on in terms of your own music?

Greg:  Another Reigning Sound LP, maybe a new Parting Gifts record too.

Jordan:  How did you end up becoming a part of the Motorco Show with Mountain Goats & Mac against Amendment One?

Greg:  Mac contacted me about participating. I'm glad he did.

Jordan:  What can you say about your views on Amendment One and what people can do?

Greg:  There is absolutely no reason to make this piece of legislation a state constitutional ammendment. I guess if you're afraid of the inevitable evolution of American society, it makes sense to attempt something so assinine. But it will not deter the love that people have for one another. It will only reinforce to a large part of the population of NC that their state does not respect them as individuals nor will it afford them the rights that others enjoy.   

Jordan:  Who will be playing with you on your set during your performance?

Greg:  Likely just me.

Jordan:  What songs will you be playing at the show?  Primarily one band or solo stuff or what?

Greg:  Not sure yet. I'm pretty off the cuff. Donate $100 to the cause and I'll play whatever you want!

Jordan:  Anything else you'd like to say to those who are reading?

Greg:  Be good to each other.

Please consider going to the concert or at least voting against Amendment One on May 8th.  You can learn more about Amendment One and how bad it is for all families in North Carolina HERE!

Gross Ghost talks Gross Ghost

Serendipity is a great word and it applies a lot to the triangle area. The other day I was browsing the regulator and ran into Heather from Mount Moriah. Later that day, I ran into Duncan from Hammer No More The Fingers at All Day Records. And yesterday, as I was picking up the Gross Ghost LP from Bull City Records, I met Mike from Gross Ghost, which really weirded me out, but was pretty cool. When I got home and spun the record, I relly liked what I was hearing. It's rock n roll base, all right, but it's also got some folk and psychedelia in it. I spun it twice in a row. Then I emailed Mike to say how much I liked it and wondered if we could possibly do an interview. Turns out we could and did.

Gross Ghost's Brer Rabbit LP

These guys just released their first album "Brer Rabbit" on Grip Tapes and it's really awesome. They're playing the pin hook on Tuesday, April 17 with Terry Malts and Spider Bags, two really awesome bands. It's only $7 and is sure to be a great rock n roll night. You can check out the band's release Here


But Mike talks about the band a lot better than I ever could. So without further ado, Mike from Gross Ghost! 


Jordan: Who all is in Gross Ghost and what are their roles in the band? 


Mike: Gross Ghost is mainly Tre and myself on recordings.  Live, Tre is on bass and I play guitar and sing, and we've added Rob DiPatri on lead guitar and we alternate between two drummers, Chris Riddle and TJ Maiani, depending on who can play when needed.  From now on I imagine Tre or I will come to the guys with ideas and see where it goes from there in regards to future recordings.... 


Jordan: How did you all get to know each other? 


Mike: Tre used to come to house parties I threw when I lived in Raleigh...he was really young, like 19.  He would drink all my booze and stay over but he'd rummage around for food and stuff when everyone went to sleep.  I caught him doing this when the sun came up one time and that's how the name "gross ghost" came about. 


 Jordan: What do you all do when you aren't making or playing music? 


Mike: We all work a lot, bartending and waiting tables and stuff.  When we aren't playing shows, we like to check out other bands around the triangle, go thrift store shopping and eat lots of mexican food and hang out with our ladies and pets.  I really want to get back into skateboarding but I need to put the burritos down first. 


Jordan: What's the name Gross Ghost from? 


Mike: Check the story mentioned above!  That explains it all. 


Jordan: When did you all start the band and how did it get started? 


Mike: Tre and I lived together out near Garner for a year after we'd met, three to four years ago and we were bored as fuck.  I had been through a rough year and was drinking a lot and was really down on myself. Tre was there for me through it all and encouraged me to work on his demos with him and from there I started writing songs of my own again after what had been a long break.  At first we were just fucking around and making up little sketches for songs, not taking ourselves seriously.  Then we wrote some things we were really proud of and decided to take things more seriously.  That means we just dropped a lot of the screaming and noise in favor of melodies.  The screaming part was pretty cathartic though! 


Jordan: Would you say that the Triangle Area in terms of culture has impacted your music?  If so, how?


Mike: Yes and No.  Yes in the way that I get a lot of excitement out of what my friends are doing musically and the rich musical history the Triangle has with Merge and Cat's Cradle and other great venues and even now with stuff like Hopscotch Festival and all the musical benefits held to support the community.  It's easy to record here because there are affordable studios and so many talented friends to help you complete your vision.  Need a horn player, oh I know someone who lives right down the street!  Need to get a piano tuned?  Call my cousin, he'll charge you 20$!  No, in the way that when it comes to Gross Ghost's music, it's usually just something that comes from isolation or working stuff out on our own as opposed to outside influences.  It is nice to be able to share our songs with the people in this area when we have them ready though.  The response has impacted us in the way that we want to write the best songs possible because we know that people will hear them where we live. 


Jordan: How would you describe the music that you are making or trying to make? 


Mike: I want to explore how many stories and melodies I can get with a somewhat limited palette.  So far I've had garage, pop, dub and psychedlia as a template.  I'd like to stretch beyond that for future recordings.  I feel like that will have a lot to do with the guys in the band, what they want to add and also to whatever mood the song presents itself in.  At the same time, I'm not gonna change the style up just to do it.  Just trying to make music that we would want to listen to. 


Jordan: What kind of events, people, cultural phenomena, books, art, animals, bands, and music influences what your music becomes? 


Mike: Some of the songs on the record are me writing to my parents.  My father passed away and they'd lived pretty hard for a lot of years.  I felt like whether it was subconscious or not I needed to write about them.  Some of the songs are a complete reactionary response to that of wanting to write something fun and poppy just to give the record some levity.  Some are about being in your twenties, screwing up in relationships and jobs and all that. Tre and I devour books, movies and records but we never talk about what we are into.  We have really different tastes but agree on what counts. 


Jordan: How did you choose the name "Brer Rabbit" for your album? 


Mike: I just remember that Brer Rabbit was a character who could talk his way out of a jam.  I always liked that story and I liked the way it sounded....I feel like the album artwork is a nice compliment to the title as well...so it was kind of natural. 


Jordan:What links the music together on your first album "Brer Rabbit?" 


Mike: There are four new songs and eight culled from two of our previous free eps, which I'm guessing only thirty people heard! 


Jordan: What was the recording process of "Brer Rabbit" like? 


Mike: The bulk of the songs are recorded at Track & Field Recording studio, which is also a place where our friends live, so it was really easy and fun to make. 


Jordan: Who did you work with to record the album? 


Mike: Our good friend, Nick Petersen did the engineering and helped with some aesthetic choices during the sessions.  Track & Field is his place and he's recorded tons of amazing regional bands there, big and small.  Matt Park, Rob Deep, Chris Riddle and Stuart Edwards provided drums and other sounds. 


Jordan: What has it been like working with Grip Tapes in the process of making an album? 


Mike: Hank and Jon (of GripTapes) are friends first, so it's been a lot of hanging out and discussing before we ever did anything.  I think it's good that it took so long to come to fruition because there's been no question about what we wanted to do and how we've done it, in regards to what we wanted the record to look like and what we wanted to do to promote it.  We are only their third release so I feel like the ones before us gave them a handle on what they are doing.  They have a great roster of regional bands, so I'm really proud of them and it's great to be working on the record with my friends. 


Jordan: Have you all played live very often? 


Mike: Yeah...we've played about 30-40 shows.  We just cemented the live lineup in the past year so it's been more frequent as of late.  We've probably gone through 4-5 incarnations of the band!  I'm over it. Keeping it simple now.... 


Jordan: What are your favorite shows to play? 


Mike: Warehouses or any DIY thing that is run like a real club.  I have a lot of respect for that.  Playing bills with our friends is the best feeling and anywhere with a sound guy who isn't a dick is awesome. 




Jordan:  What can you say about the show with Terry Malts and Spider Bags at the Pinhook on April 17?


Mike: Spider Bags are one of my favorite bands, not just NC but anywhere. They killed it at the last show we played with them, I somehow got my hands on a recording of their set and it just confirms they are a great live band.  Terry Malts rules too.  Looking forward to seeing them in 3D. 


Jordan:  What is in the future for the band? 


Mike:  Some more records, more shows, more fun 


Jordan: What else are you psyched about for the year? 


 Mike: I don't know yet.  I go day by day. 


 Jordan : Any last words about music or life or animals or anything? 


 Mike: Buying our record helps you find your spirit animal.  I have a reliable source who says this is a fact.  Nah, I don't know....Life is Short.  Play Hard.

Typical Night at the Pinhook

Gross Ghost are playing with Terry Malts & Spider Bags at the Pinhook April 17: you can get your ticket at the door and learn about the show Here

Mountain Goats/Mac McCaughan/Greg Cartwright/Tara DeFrancisco @ Motorco Supporting Protect our Families

On April 6, Hopscotch sponsored a free concert with Real Estate, Twerps & Old Bricks at the Lincoln Theatre in order to get donations and raise awareness about North Carolina Constitutional Amendment One, an amendment that not only would prevent gay couples from marrying, but would also hurt families of all sorts.  The organization that got the money to use for more events to promote knowledge on North Carolina's Constitutional Amendment One, was The Coalition to Protect North Carolina Families, a non-profit organization against Amendment One.  You can learn more about the organization and the way that Amendment One negatively impacts all families Here.


On April 19, they will be at it again with a concert at Motorco Music Hall in Durham, North Carolina.  The Mountain Goats, Mac McCaughan, Greg Cartwright and Tara DeFrancisco will be playing.  The tickets are $20 and go towards The Coalition to Protect North Carolina Families' goal of defeating Amendment One.  Simply put, the money goes to lobbying against Amendment One and promoting events like these to reach out to other voters.  It's for a great cause, and I'm as apolitical as they come: in my opinion, it's a common sense issue - if two people love each other, it's simply wrong to keep them apart.  But this blog isn't for politics, it's for music.  The other great thing about the concert is the performers!  I cannot believe how fantastic this lineup is.

The Mountain Goats are native to the plains

The Mountain Goats have been around for a long time.  John Darnielle, singer-songwriter of the group, is typically thought of as one of the premiere lyricists in the world in music at this time.  His folk-based music is inspired by everything from contemporary Christian music, like the album "The Life of the World to Come," to folkier narratives, like in his album "Tallahassee."  John Darnielle is also a metal-head.  He writes in metal columns frequently and wrote the 33 1/3 book for Black Sabbath's "Master of Reality."  He's released hundreds of songs, none of which I would consider bad.  As he continues to write music, his arrangements have become more complex, but his music retains a great pop-sensibility.


Listen to their song "No Children" Here

Mac playing at Pitchfork Music Festival

Mac McCaughan not only runs Merge Records, but was the frontman and guitarist for Superchunk (that really really awesome indie-rock band from the 90s?)  His music comes from a refined power-pop and a great energy for the music he makes.  Seeing him live just makes you understand how much fun indie-rock is.  Mac looks like he's having a great time all the time.  Superchunk never put out a bad album.  Their newest. "Majesty Shredding" of 2010. is good as well and a great place to start for those who haven't listened to Superchunk.  Honestly, though, you can't go wrong with anything by this band.


Listen to the Superchunk song "Hyper Enough" Here

Greg Cartwright Playing his Git-Box

Greg Cartwright, or Greg Oblivian to you garage-heads, is based out of Asheville, North Carolina and has been in the garage-rock music scene since the 90s with his band The Oblivians.  But recently, he has recorded with The Reigning Sound, who played the Local 506 last year, and The Parting Gifts.  This guy is royalty and I've heard many well-respected people say that he is the best songwriter in Garage-rock now.  He is currently producing Last Year's Men's new album and continues to be a strong force in the garage and punk music scenes.

Tara not getting any service

Listen to The Reigning Sound's take on the classic song "Stormy Weather" Here


Tara DeFrancisco isn't a musician, or at least not that I know of, but is a great improv comedian who has worked at the famous iO (ImprovOlympics) and Second City of Chicago.  Pretty sweet.  She still works in Chicago, but also tours.  She's sure to have a great bunch of things to say for you stand-up-yuppies.


All in all, it's going to be a great evening with great entertainment for a great cause (and there's food trucks, so just get the ticket!"




You can buy your ticket Here

Real Estate/Twerps/Old Bricks @ Lincoln Theatre April 6, 2012

You've probably heard Real Estate's fabulous sophomore album "Days" by now.  It's a fantastic dream-pop gem that crosses the music genres of summer tied together by the mature song-writing skills of Martin Courtney IV.  They don't have any bad songs, plainly.  Everything they have made is good.  Their first album and their second are both great and I really don't know which one is better.  They're a Woodsist records band, if that's any indication of how good they are (that label is flawless).

Real Estate Hanging Out In Some Grass

Twerps get compared to them a bit.  They're one of the new Australian bands (mentioned by Royal Headache in an earlier post) that are getting more press in the U.S.  They have a bit of dream-pop and some garage in them.  Needless to say, they're good at music.


And then there's Old Bricks, a great North Carolina band that just moved here in 2010 from somewhere in the Northeast I want to say.  They put on a sweet show.  It's two guys that make music that sounds much more complete.  Andy made a stage appearance during the War on Drugs set last fall at King's.  Pretty sweet show with a sweet appearance.


These dudes are playing a free show at the Lincoln Theatre in Raleigh sponsored by Hopscotch Music Festival (AKA the Indy Weekly) and "The Coalition to Protect North Carolina Families," an organization whose goal is to oppose amendment one of the North Carolina Constitution (doubtless, you've seen those blue posters around houses).  You can check out their website here: http://www.protectncfamilies.org/.  There are a lot of reasons to vote against it, the most publicized being that amendment one prevents gay marriage from being allowed in North Carolina, but even if you're not hip to that, there are other reasons to oppose the amendment (just check out the get informed button on the website!)  It's a great cause and you can donate to it at the door of the Lincoln Theatre.  It's not at all like the crooked politics of Invisible Children!   (Hahahaha.  Yeah, but Jason Russell sucks.)  But the money is going to awareness and lobbying and events like this, which is simply incredible.


But even if you're not down with the workings of bureaucracy, it's gonna be a nuts show!  You can learn more about it here:http://hopscotchmusicfest.com/news/post/hopscotch-presents-free-real-estate-show-april-6/




Free.  Doors open at 8.  Lincoln Theatre. Gather round friends and be Easy.  So easy.

Worldly Garage Focus: Guitar Wolf

Guitar Wolf, Bass Wolf & Drum Wolf living the Dream

What's that?  There's another Japanese Garage band with an amazing band name and they're coming to the triangle area?  Yes, folks, Guitar Wolf is indeed coming to Local 506 tomorrow, Wednesday, March 28, 2012.  WEDNESDAY WEDNESDAY WEDNESDAY!  and they're gonna show you what this whole garage rock thing's all about!


With three band members (guitar wolf, bass wolf & drum wolf), the band has a great triforce trio power that is sure to knock your socks off!  Plainly, these guys rock.  They've been around since the late 80's and have never stopped expanding their feral-canine empire.  Having over ten full-length records is only one of their highest selling points.  In addition, they have created the space-zombie-rock movie "Wild Zero," a rollicking surreal adventure delving to the heart of the rock n' roll horror cross over.


Yeah, these guys are goofy (and they include the word "jet" in just about everything, including their new 10"!), but they wield really tight songwriting with energetic songs.  Check Jet Generation here!


Anyway, they are playing the 506 tomorrow for $10-$12 and have two great openers.  The show is sure to be a rollicking fun and stumblingly drunk set.  These guys supposedly drink like Andre the Giant and play like the Stooges, which is sure to be a great show with lots of energy and fun!  I'm excited.  You're excited.  We all scream for ice cream!


Get your cheap tix here


Peep the band here!

Callum Plews of Sleeves and Analog Candle

Callum Plews of Sleeves and Analog Candle

When I was 11 years old, I moved with my family to Chicago.  I started in the 6th grade there and one of the first friends I had was Callum Plews, this rad guy who had a funny English accent.  Callum was my best friend then but he left our school after 6th grade and we kind of lost contact.  Recently, we got in touch over Facebook (there really is a use for that site sometimes) and bonded over both becoming music geeks.  Callum had played in a bunch of bands and made music since High School, but I never really heard anything of his until his new album "The Sky Ghost Part 1" by his band Sleeves came out.

I'm so glad that I clicked that link he posted because I absolutely love that album!  It's really wonderfully constructed and layered.  Kim, the permanent vocalist, has a wonderful voice that floats over surreal soundscapes.  And the music is just so rich, but also immediately accessible as it's rooted in an incredible pop sensibility.

The album is streaming on their website (see: http://theskyghost.com/).  You can download the whole album for $3.  THREE DOLLARS!  And you can get a physical album with the unreal album art, lyrics, and some surprises for only $7.

Naturally, I had to ask Callum for an interview.  Aside from quickly catching up and talking about one of our favorite authors, Haruki Murakami, we got down to business in regards to music.  Callum had a lot of really enlightening things to say about how one creates music through production and collaboration that was something I hadn't heard a lot about.  He makes the album immediately personal but alien enough to apply to any individual, regardless of where he or she came from.

It's really an amazing album.  Aside from that, Callum runs a music collective called Analog Candle (see: http://www.analogcandle.com/) that releases Sleeves music as well as other side-projects of Callum's and other bands.  Like the Sleeves album, it's really great.

But Callum explains everything much better, so without further ado...Callum Plews of Analog Candle & Sleeves!

______________________________________________________

Jordan:  So, what made you start making music?

Callum:  Wow, good question.  I think it was back in high school, joining high school bands and stuff and I really became interested in the recording process.  I went to a bunch of recording studio sessions and recording EPs in high school.  And it was like wow, I really enjoy the recording process a little bit more than making music, and that’s how I got into that, recording other people and music.  Recently I’ve been making more music and recording, but I really like to collaborate and record other people: I’d say it’s a passion of mine.  I’d probably say I started around 16 and 17.

Jordan:  How has the music you made in High School impacted the music you’re making now or the bands that you’re recording?

Callum:  Yeah, I definitely think so.  I think that when you first start making music, you’re doing your best to create something in the moment.  Of course, two months later, you look back and think “oh I should have done that differently” or “I could have done that better.”  You have to understand you did it in the moment; years from now.  Sometimes I look back and think “oh, that’s crappy,” but, you know, I’m proud of it and I’m glad I made it because otherwise I wouldn’t be interested in the stuff I make now, which is a little less rocky and a little more psychedelic.  I don’t know.  It’s different.

Jordan:  So your band sleeves.  What is your role in the band?

Callum:  [Chuckles]  okay, okay, what’s my role?  It started for me in New Orleans, I was taking a break from college – I was kind of between schools.  I was in a really bad state: I had no friends, my girlfriend had broken up with me and I was really depressed and I decided I’ll just start a band called “Sleeves” and wrote my first song in New Orleans and went on Craigslist and found a singer.  It started up as a solo project and I wanted to bring singers in and collaborate with them, but I eventually met Kim, who eventually became the permanent singer and we had a good collaboration going.  So Kim and I recorded our album last year and this year we recruited a violinist named Tabitha and a guitarist named Justice.  I would say my role now is producing music and helping with the collaborative process between the members and also contributing my own songs and trying to give a vision and direction.  But sometimes the other members collaborate and write music without me and I’ll, you know, play a guitar part.  We all have very fluid roles in the band.  I’d say probably producer/songwriter, a guy who helps where it’s needed.

Jordan:  Pretty big transformation within like a year or year and a half.

Callum:  Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah.  You know, a lot’s happened since then.  I moved to Boston where there’s a great music scene and being at Northeastern and doing music technology really got me into classical music.  Those influences really moved me and kind of kept pushing me forward.  Sometimes I don’t even go out on weekends, I just produce.  It’s my passion.

Jordan:  So what events or bands influenced the songs you have on your new LP “The Sky Ghost Part 1”?

Callum:  Good question.  I would definitely say Broken Social Scene, Modest Mouse.  Also strangely some classical composers like Debussey or Mahler.  The way they layer their music.  And then kind of electro stuff like Barry Truax and a lot of experimental composers and new music.  You can’t really tell it’s influenced by classical music, but it definitely is when we write a song.

Jordan:  What kind of music would you call it?

Callum:  I would say it’s folk-influenced, but that we try to incorporate some experimental elements too.  We definitely try to add some psychedelic or freak-folk tinge.  Like Akron/Family or Grizzly Bear.  I’m sure you could think of some others too.

Jordan:  The Grizzly Bear comparison was something I thought when I first heard it but, to be honest, I like your band more.  I think it’s rooted in a better pop sensibility, but I saw the layers be something in the two.

Callum:  Yeah, this record is very poppy.  I don’t know how it happened, and we’re going to try and move in a different direction for new stuff.  But yeah, it has that pop element definitely.

Jordan:  So what can expect in the next album?  Is it called “The Sky Ghost Part 2?”

Callum:  Actually, we’re going to do an EP before that, which is going to be a free download, and it’s going to be called the “garden district EP,” which is going to be mostly folk like by Bob Dylan.  We’re actually doing a Bob Dylan/Johnny Cash cover between the two female vocalists, Tabitha and Kim, called “Girl from the North Country.”  It’s going to be a lot more folky and then “Sky Ghost Part 2” is going to come and go back to the psychedelic direction and we’ll generate some ideas about what we want to do with that.

Jordan:  So the EP’s going to be more acoustic based?

Callum:  Definitely more acoustic based.  We’re going to try and do some sort of concept, but it’s definitely going to be more acoustic.  Actually “Sky Ghost” tells a kind of story.  I’m not really sure what it is, but we’re going to try and have the EP be a transition story that sits between parts 1 and 2 that’s kind of a transition between the two.  Whether it’ll be successful, I don’t know, but we’re going to try.

Jordan:  So what would you say the story in Sky Ghost Part 1 is?

Callum:  That’s a good question.  Actually each of the members has a different interpretation.  I kind of think it represents, and it’s cliché, but I think it’s about someone’s life cycle.  I personally think the first song is about rebirth and the second song has the lyrics “I don’t know what you made me for/ you used to be in love, but not anymore” which is kind of like a child’s sensibility.  The second song is about a child and then it moves into being a teenager.  It’s hard to explain.  The other members could probably explain and their interpretations are a lot better, but something like that.

Jordan:  So what’s up with the physical release album?

Callum:  Yeah, there’s going to be 200 copies and we’re sending some to an affiliate label with my friends from Illinois and they’re called “Catpak Records.”  They’re going to get 100 copies and we’re going to have 100 copies and it’s going to be full-panel with all the lyrics and we’ll have secrets to those who ordered one.  I know you ordered one, which is exciting.  It’s definitely worth the $7.  But yeah, we’re going to get 100 copies and sell them at shows and stuff.

Jordan:  Yeah, I’m psyched!  I was really curious about the album art.  Who made it?  What’s the story behind it?

Callum:  Right, well actually that was made by my friend in high school who’s named “Zach Meyer” and I bought the print off of him.  I really like working with people I know, like for example you as opposed to a random blogger.  I feel like I can open up to you (aw, shucks Callum, you’re making me blush) since we’ve been friends since way back when.  I love collaborating with people I know and meeting new people.  But I called him up and we hadn’t spoken in a while and I was like “yo, I’ve got this idea, can you do this and this?” and he drew it up and it worked really nicely.  He’s really talented so I was really grateful for that connection.

Jordan:  I absolutely love that print.  It looks so sweet.

Callum:  Yeah he did a great job.  It’s incredible.  I actually think that print almost tells the story or gives clues to interpretation.  There’s definitely a connection with the moon; it’s a big part of the record.  It’s kind of like a feminine relationship with the moon and how it affects the life.  Maybe “The Sky Ghost Part 2” will be a male relationship with the moon, whatever that is.

Jordan:  Can we look forward to seeing more collaborations with Zach Meyer?

Callum:  I wonder.  Yeah probably.  I was wondering if he could do art for the new album.  I know he released a sort of flip-book with his art work and maybe we could do some sort of collaboration that could be included with the next album.

Jordan:  I’d personally love that.  I’m like geeking out over it.

Callum:  [laughs] I’m glad you like it!

Jordan:  So who’s Atuin, the guy featured on the first track?

Callum:  Oh, Atuin!  (pronounced ATOON).  He’s a French artist I met on Soundcloud.  I love collaborating on Soundcloud.  There’s a lot of musicians I like collaborating with.  But yeah, he’s just like a Soundcloud musician.  He has a unique voice and is a great lyricist.  He wrote his lyrics for his part in that song.  It was really an honor to work with him.

Jordan:  Any plans to press it on vinyl?

Callum:  Yeah, maybe if people respond to Sky Ghost 1 and we get money from shows and  can sell merch and t-shirts.  I think we could definitely press Sky Ghost 2 on vinyl and then maybe go back and press Sky Ghost 1 on vinyl.  Maybe include them in a package.  It’d be awesome to see how people respond to that.  I’d love to make the investment but it could definitely be worth it.  It’s definitely a good idea.  I’m going to steal that idea from you.

Jordan:  It’s definitely an album I’d like to have as a record, to be honest.

Callum:  You listen to a lot of albums on record?

Jordan:  Yeah I pretty much buy everything on vinyl.  I was just at the store and picked up a few records.

Callum:  I know with new records they include a slip of paper with the digital download link so you can get that too.  The vinyl’s only like $12 so it’s a sick deal.

Jordan:  Do you have any plans to tour?

Callum:  Yeah, we’re trying to play some local venues in Boston.  We’re friends with this band called Stone Cold Fox who we’re remixing.  And we’re trying to get some shows with them and this other band.  God, I forgot their name.  But our friend Paige played at the release party for our album with her band "Sounds of Venus" so we’re trying to get some shows.  Hopefully Boston and we’ll try to expand and see where it goes.

Jordan:  So what’s your role in Analog Candle?  You created it yourself?

Callum:  Yeah, yeah, Analog Candle came out around the same time as Sleeves.  It’s kind of an umbrella under which I can release Sleeves.  But then it kind of grew into a collective involving different people and then I started working with this guy in New Zealand who’s actually a professor and he sent me some ambient music and I started mixing them and writing lyrics and then giving them to Kim and she would write lyrics.  So we started a side-project “Sink/Sink” and we put them on Analog Candle too.  I’m also trying to release my roommate’s music on Analog Candle.  It’s kind of growing into a combination of a collective where everyone works on each other’s projects, a recording studio that I have set up in my apartment, and also a label for which we can release music and promote bands and put them on Soundcloud or the website or whatever.

Jordan:  So what can we look forward to in the future of Sleeves and Analog candle?

Callum:  Let me think.  I’ll talk about new releases.  We’re talking about releasing my roommate’s album in about two months.  The Sleeves EP in about a month.  My side-project Sink/Sink is releasing an album on Feedback Loop Label and they’re making physical copies.  They’re in Spain or Portugal and they’re selling it for Euros  So that’s coming out April 16 and then a remix album of Sleeves, and my friend’s band Children of Kids.  I recorded them and we’re going to do a physical release and a split/remix album on that.  So yeah, physical releases, just kind of pushing forward.

Pat the Bunny and Nick from Ramshackle Glory talk their new album and Plan-It-X!

The Gang in Action!

So what's the deal with Ramshackle Glory and Pat the Bunny?  Ramshackle Glory is an amazing folk-punk band that came out of the American Southwest following lead song-writer "Pat the Bunny's" successful rehabilitation with heroin and alcohol.  The first album "Live the Dream" is an ode to his past as well as an outlook on what will make him a successful human being, in the sense of staying alive.  The band incorporates a lot of really amazing arrangements that are significantly different than Pat's old bands "Johnny Hobo & the Freight Trains" and "Wingnut Dishwashers Union."  There are more instruments, simply put, as well as a more refined recording style.  There are more members of the band and a very clearly unified outlook, which is actually very level-headed and inspiring in the age of a time where Madonna can get away with having a superbowl slogan be "WORLD PEACE."

Pat and the gang also run Savage Wasteland, a music collective out of the Southwest that puts out music and distributes anarchist literature.  These guys are smart too, which, once again, is inspiring and a breath of fresh air.

Pat is a long time friend of Chris Clavin, the guy who runs Plan-It-X.  He actually knocked some sense into me because I had thought that the record label closed down about 5 months ago.  Even last week, their website was different, but now they are up and running (and by that I mean online because I'm a totally unpunk cyborg so my definition of running lies in the ability to use technology [JOKES, FRIENDS, JOKES]).  Pat, in his response, gives a hyperlink to the website down below, so you can see it there.

"Live the Dream" is one of my all-time favorite albums.  The lyrics are very clear and remarkably human.  The songs are fantastic.  In short, you should buy it.  Like seriously.  You can do so here: http://www.ramshackleglory.com/ (< hyperlink, you dweebs!)  In addition, Chris Clavin has recently started a movement to get their first LP pressed on vinyl, a dream I've had even before I was born.  I think I was about 21 at the time.  But needless to say, you should get the album.  I think you can get it digitally or on casette, since they're out of CD's now.

The second album is coming out this year and they are about to play a BUNCH of shows across the continental U.S.

I'm flattered that you came here to only hear my speak.  I have handsome words.  But without further ado...PAT AND NICK FROM RAMSHACKLE GLORY!

Jordan: How did Savage Wasteland get started?

Nick: Most of the people in our band have musical projects outside of
our band.  Having a music collective through which to release all the
different music that all of us make is really fun and allows us to
share the responsibilities involved in putting out albums, while
remaining DIY.

Jordan: Who gets to put out music on the label?

Nick: Anyone in Ramshackle Glory, probably other people too.

Pat: We distribute a Michael Jordan Touchdown Pass release. He's not
in Ramshackle Glory, but he is my brother. The answer so far is that
you can put out music on the label if you are (1) In Ramshackle Glory
or (2) A blood relative of a Ramshackle Glory member.

Jordan: How fundamental are anarchist views to the organization?

Nick: We are a collective, so there is no hierarchy.  Nobody is the
boss, everyone does what they want/can.

Pat: The collective operates according to anarchist principles as much
as possible, as Nick mentioned. Our collective is also anarchist in
the sense that we distribute free anarchist literature at the shows we
play, contribute financially to legal support funds and and other
projects related to anarchist organizing, and use our collective web
presence to spread the word about anarchist ideas and actions. We
specifically focus on spreading the word about stuff happening in
Arizona and Tucson, because that is the local radical community we are
part of.

All of this extends naturally from the individuals in our band. We are
all anarchists, and politically engaged in ways that we consider much
more important than our punk band.

Jordan:  What kinds of things do you read/look at in order to be politically engaged or relevant?

Pat: The answer to that question is changing all the time. Recently
I've been reading some of the analysis that came out of the November
2, 2011 General Strike in Oakland, specifically exploring what a
"strike" is in a contemporary capitalist economy and which social
classes are the subject of a strike in this context. The basic
argument outlined is that, because so few of us in the United States
are employed in the production of commodities through factory
production, the contemporary strike will not take the form of
voluntary withdrawal of labor from that process. Instead, the strike
takes the form of disrupting the flow and distribution of capital.
This is achieved mainly through blockading the routes by which
commodities are distributed (shutting down ports, roads, rails) and
sabotage directed at any stage of commodity production or the
circulation of investment capital (smashing banks, looting stores,
etc).

Given this change in the form of the strike, it no longer makes sense
to look at "the working class" as the legitimate or primary subject of
the strike, because voluntary labor withdrawal is only one small part
of what a strike is today. An expanded definition of the
proletariat--all those with nothing to sell in the market economy to
maintain survival except their own skin and labor--is the current
subject of the strike. In addition to wage-workers, many social
elements that Marx would have dismissed as "lumpen-proletariat" are
now at the fore-front of proletarian struggle: the unemployed, the
homeless, petty criminals, etc.

This is not to say that workers are no longer involved in the strike.
Clearly they are, but proletarians who are currently trapped outside
the process of commodity production are no longer mere appendages to a
movement organized by those proletarians trapped inside that process.
The truth of this statement is hinted at in the 2011 Oakland General
Strike, which was called for and pulled off by an Occupy Oakland
encampment composed disproportionately of the homeless and unemployed,
not the industrial proletarians of traditional Marxist theory.

If you're interested in this stuff I recommend checking out
http://www.bayofrage.com/from-the-bay/blockading-the-port-is-only-the-first-of-many-last-resorts/.
That piece discusses the themes I just touched on with much more
context, nuance, etc. I like interesting analysis that proposes
concrete ways of looking at the struggle and suggests some of the
methods through which that struggle might be carried out. Such
material is depressingly rare from what I see making the rounds of
anarchist news sites and such, but it's still out there if you are
looking for it.

Jordan: How did you all know each other/decide to start a band

Nick: Some of us met in VT, some of us met in New Jersey, some of us
met here [in Tucson].  We ended up recording this album together, then
we decided to be a band.

Jordan: What does the name "Ramshackle Glory" come from?

Nick: We put a bunch of words in a hat and pulled them out and put
them together in different ways.

Jordan: I'm familiar with Pat the Bunny's old bands/projects "Johnny Hobo" & "Wingnut Dishwashers Union," but did the rest of the band play in other bands before?

Nick: We have all been involved in various bands in the past; some of
them still exist, and we put them out. Luke and Douglas are in a
really awesome punk band called Not Sorry. Savage Wasteland is putting
out their next album. Douglas, Luke and I had a band called Devil's
Coachwhip when we started Ramshackle Glory, which kinda dissolved and
is now just the name of my solo project.  Luke just started a new band
called Cottontail, which has a new album coming out soon too.

Jordan: The first album came out after Pat completed rehab and seemed to me to deal  with the highest points of redemption and terrible lows in personal history and society, what kinds of events inspired this?

Pat: It's mostly about getting wasted all the time and shooting
heroin, and what it took for me to stop. Much of it revolves around
the experience of wanting to stop, but not being able to. There is
some exploration of the guilt surrounding things I did while using and
drinking. Other parts are related to a fundamental change in the way I
experience life, to the extent that I no longer need to--or want
to--get loaded. Some of it is about how anarchism and punk integrate
into the principles which guide my recovery from addiction.

Jordan: How does the tone of the second album differ from the first in terms of both  lyrics and musical arrangement?

Pat: This album is much heavier, lyrically and musically. It's
probably more explicitly political, more of the time.

Nick: In terms of musical arrangement, I think this album is way more
exciting.  Recording the last album was pretty much the first thing we
did together as a band, whereas now we have been playing together for
over a year.  We've gotten a lot better at making up cool parts that
sound good together and just playing together in general.

Jordan: Are there any new people playing on the album?

Nick: Yes! Dane is playing bass and Eric is playing Trumpet. It is
really awesome having them in our band!

Jordan: Do you all have any plans to tour outside of the Southwest?

Nick: We are going on a 2 and a half month tour this summer. We will
be playing most places in the continental U.S.

Jordan: What is the craziest show you all have played?

Pat: Lots of the shows we play seem crazy to me, because of the way
people treat us. Our band is not a very big deal: we have a modest fan
base that appreciates the music we make, and we are lucky enough to
have that kind of support lots of places around the country and world.
That's a big deal to us, in the sense that we are lucky to be able to
do what we want to do, on something close to our own terms (at least
so far as anything can be in a capitalist, sexist, racist society
governed by the state).

But a lot of times people interact with us as if our band was a big
deal in a different sense--a sense that makes me uncomfortable. They
want to get autographs and take pictures with us. I don't understand.
We're a punk band. We aren't very cool. We aren't famous. If more than
100 people are at a show we are playing, that's a big show to us.

Many times people treat us like we are cooler than them. I don't like
this, especially because I don't know how to undermine it. As an
anarchist, I cannot passively accept anyone being socially
more-or-less powerful than somebody else. I belong to certain social
groups that are, as a whole, given social power denied to other social
groups—for example, as a man I am granted forms of social power denied
to women—and that's quite enough material for a lifetime of
deconstructing, and trying to subvert, the ways I reinforce various
systems of social hierarchy and authority.

But the way that our band is often treated by people at shows is one
of my only experiences being granted specific social power--as an
individual, and not just as one among a privileged social group. I
suppose I would compare it to finding out you have been elected to a
political office, even though you never ran for it and consistently
declared your opposition to political power.

Some people at shows treat our band in a way that assigns me a social
power that I do not want, but don't know how to destroy. If we don't
give autographs, we make people feel bad—which also reinforces the
nature of hierarchy, namely that those higher up within it are
disproportionately able to inflict suffering and violence on those
lower down. If we give autographs, we perpetuate the idea that we are
people who are worth getting autographs from—as opposed to everyone
else at the show, who presumably was not worth getting an autograph
from.

I am not aware of a graceful solution to this problem, and
encountering it so consistently at shows makes me feel crazy.

Jordan: What are some of your top albums of 2011?

Pat: I wouldn't know. I've mostly been listening to podcasts about the economy.

Jordan:  Has anyone specifically inspired you during both this upcoming album or in the creation of Ramshackle Glory?

Pat: Not really. From my perspective of things, the core members of
Ramshackle Glory were the house mates of Nick, the only punk I
happened to know when I moved to Tucson. I asked him to play on a
record I wanted to make. Nick got his house-mate Douglas to play
banjo, so that Nick could play accordion. Luke came home from work
while we were practicing and offered to play drums. That's where our
band comes from.

All of these people turned out to be some of the most incredible
musicians and human beings that I've ever met, but that was just how
it happened, not the result of any inspiration or planning. The
instrumentation is also more a product of what instruments the people
in our band play, or want to learn how to play, rather than any
conscious decisions.

Jordan: What's the deal with Plan-It-X?  I know Plan-It-X fest is still happening  and you all will be there, but I was surprised that they won't be releasing music really.

Pat: It would be surprising if Plan-It-X wasn't releasing music, but
that's simply not true. There never has been a significant period of
time where PIX didn't release anything, although Chris has talked
off-and-on about stopping the label in the last couple years. The new
Ghost Mice record just came out on Plan-It-X about a month ago. Chris
(the guy most responsible for running Plan-It-X during most of its
operation since 1994) is getting money together to release Ramshackle
Glory vinyl on Plan-It-X by the summer.

He's not going to press CDs anymore, because not many people buy CDs
from Plan-It-X anymore, but releases on tape, vinyl, and digital
formats will continue. (Anyone interested in Plan-It-X should check
out the revamped website at http://www.plan-it-x.com).

Jordan: Thanks again, y'all!  I'll see you for sure at Plan-It-X fest this summer,  but good luck with the album!

Pat: Thanks, see you then!