The past few weeks have been something of a rollercoaster ride for the members of Grizzly Bear... and their fans. Days after their highly anticipated sold-out performance with the Brooklyn Philharmonic, their album, Veckatimest, out this May on Warp Records, was leaked to the public in less than optimal quality. I had the opportunity to chat with Mr. Droste about the leak, touring, making their newest record, and how he digests the critical opinions people have of their music.
The interview after the jump.
First off, let’s get this out of the way. I know you’ve said you’re okay with the leak of the record, but what’s the sentiment regarding the fact that “The Leak” is now part and parcel of an album’s release… and an imminent occurrence?
I'm upset it happened this early; even though the same people who are listening now would go and download it in a month had it leaked later. I mean I'm guilty of listening to leaks and I do the same thing, if I like it I will go out and support it by buying the album and going to shows, so fundamentally I'm more excited that there is even interest in a leak then disappointed.
That said, there is something disheartening about working on an album for ages and ages and ages and then a low quality rip comes out, and everyone jumps on it and suddenly everyone is quick to give their verdicts, good or bad on a sub par recording that took over a year to make. That's the nature of the beast of course, but when I look at it that way I do get a little bummed. Also, we keep learning more and more about the source of the leak and the more we learn the more "shady" the whole story is. Can't say anything but it's less than pleasing. Oh well, forward ahoy!
Can you see any way to remedy this dysfunction or is “resistance futile?”
We can take down download links and ask people to pre-order. Other than that, the "internet fans" will own it already it. Most people, believe it or not still don't know about leaks and download music that way, very small group of people do, of course the ratio of our fanbase that falls in that group is rather high, but perhaps this time around it'll be less so.
Whether it's because of the failing economy or illegal downloads, the record industry is suffering with respect to CD sales. Touring is turning into a main source of revenue for a lot of acts on "indie" labels. Will you be stepping it up with regards to touring? More stops? Longer sets? Tour EPs? Any other ways we might see a change?
As much as we can yes. I mean I personally believe 1hr to 1hr 15 minutes is the perfect set time. If we were Radiohead, or some epic band that's been around for decades longer is of course better, but generally around an hour is where people's attention span lies. We'll bring out lots of pretty vinyl and 7 inches this tour, new T shirts, perhaps even a tour EP (although we haven't discussed that). Also first editions of the CD/Vinyl will be really nice so there's incentive to get those if you like album art still (I do!)
Speaking of touring, was there any special reason for performing certain songs in the set without the help of the philharmonic at Brooklyn Academy of Music?
You only get a certain amount of rehearsal time with the orchestra not to mention stage time so we used all we could and felt it was too short and wanted to play some additional songs. In the end it felt like a nice mix, added some dynamics!
There was a rumor you guys were taping the show for a live release care to tell us more?
It's taped it's just insanely expensive to buy off of BAM unfortunately so I'm not sure the "fate" of that recording.
The day after the performance, there was some backlash from unscrupulous individuals that not enough of the familiar show staples appeared at BAM. Is Knife your “Creep;” are you growing wary/tired of any particular songs or live arrangements?
I didn't see that backlash. This was a special show, meant to be about playing songs that we DON'T get to normally play and utilizing the orchestra to its fullest. I just feel (and we all did) that doing an orchestra version of Knife would be a bit MUSAK.
That said, there is something disheartening about working on an album for ages and ages and ages and then a low quality rip comes out, and everyone jumps on it and suddenly everyone is quick to give their verdicts, good or bad on a sub par recording that took over a year to make. That's the nature of the beast of course, but when I look at it that way I do get a little bummed. Also, we keep learning more and more about the source of the leak and the more we learn the more "shady" the whole story is. Can't say anything but it's less than pleasing. Oh well, forward ahoy!
Can you see any way to remedy this dysfunction or is “resistance futile?”
We can take down download links and ask people to pre-order. Other than that, the "internet fans" will own it already it. Most people, believe it or not still don't know about leaks and download music that way, very small group of people do, of course the ratio of our fanbase that falls in that group is rather high, but perhaps this time around it'll be less so.
Whether it's because of the failing economy or illegal downloads, the record industry is suffering with respect to CD sales. Touring is turning into a main source of revenue for a lot of acts on "indie" labels. Will you be stepping it up with regards to touring? More stops? Longer sets? Tour EPs? Any other ways we might see a change?
As much as we can yes. I mean I personally believe 1hr to 1hr 15 minutes is the perfect set time. If we were Radiohead, or some epic band that's been around for decades longer is of course better, but generally around an hour is where people's attention span lies. We'll bring out lots of pretty vinyl and 7 inches this tour, new T shirts, perhaps even a tour EP (although we haven't discussed that). Also first editions of the CD/Vinyl will be really nice so there's incentive to get those if you like album art still (I do!)
Speaking of touring, was there any special reason for performing certain songs in the set without the help of the philharmonic at Brooklyn Academy of Music?
You only get a certain amount of rehearsal time with the orchestra not to mention stage time so we used all we could and felt it was too short and wanted to play some additional songs. In the end it felt like a nice mix, added some dynamics!
There was a rumor you guys were taping the show for a live release care to tell us more?
It's taped it's just insanely expensive to buy off of BAM unfortunately so I'm not sure the "fate" of that recording.
The day after the performance, there was some backlash from unscrupulous individuals that not enough of the familiar show staples appeared at BAM. Is Knife your “Creep;” are you growing wary/tired of any particular songs or live arrangements?
I didn't see that backlash. This was a special show, meant to be about playing songs that we DON'T get to normally play and utilizing the orchestra to its fullest. I just feel (and we all did) that doing an orchestra version of Knife would be a bit MUSAK.
You have a great track record of picking spectacular opening acts, some of whom have gone onto great success and recognition, any ideas on who you want your next touring buddies to be?
We do know who it's going to be but we can't say yet!
First there was Horns of Plenty, which was experimental and avante garde, - a find your way sort of thing - then Yellow House, which had a very nostalgic/summer days of yore feel, and then there was Friend EP, which was possibly your “let’s do something fun and different before we have to settle down to the business of the next record.” Is there a specific emotion that you’re trying to evoke in people with Veckatimest?
I think Veckatimest is a much more dynamic album with more variety and feelings. YH to me has a solitary semi-depressive feel to it, where I think there are moments of joy AND sadness on the new one.
About how many songs were recorded for the album and are we going to hear what didn’t make the cut?
This is most of the songs, but there are some things that will find their way to the surface, too early to tell now though.
What happened to Final Round/Spring Break, a fan favorite frequently played throughout your last tour? I do see a similarity between the drums in Final Round and the drums in Ready, Able.
Final Round was a great tour song we did for the TVOTR tour waaaaaay back in fall 2006. It was our attempt at trying to "rock out" when opening for a "rock band". Ultimately some members of the band just didn't think it was strong enough, who knows maybe we'll revisit it again someday.
There’s a substantial amount less reverb on your vocals on this album, are you more comfortable with your voice now?
Yes, definitely. I think this was a conscious choice to clear things up. Some people may miss the haze of Yellow House, but I think this new album reflects more confidence in all respects. Vocals, drumming, song writing. In many ways reverb or a billllion textures can sometimes feel like a way of hiding things you aren't 100 percent sure of, this album we are 100 percent sure of.
What did Gareth Jones bring to the final mix of Veckatimest and was it hard to let someone from the outside in to scrutinize your work?
He added a very important fresh set of ears to an album we had labored over for a long time
Was it easier writing this album as opposed to Yellow House on which you guys were still learning the collaborative ropes? And on Veckatimest, did you just wing it when it came to songwriting duties and let things be how they may?
It was DIFFERENT, not easier. It was new. We wrote this album much more collaboratively and tried a lot of different writing techniques which was both exciting and scary. I still don't think to this day we have a "formula" for writing music we just keep trying out different avenues and seeing what feels right for what time.
Finally, how much do you take to heart when it comes to album reviews, and will negative/positive critiquing have much of an effect on the next album?
I've gotten a lot better. I mean I'll always be bummed if we get trashed somewhere. I've learned though that the bigger you get the more people you expose yourself to, the chances are higher someone in the mix is going to hate you. Even though I think Veckatimest is awesome and I'm really proud of it, someone will probably hate it somewhere for some reason. I think at this point, now I don't really care as much for their reasoning because if you listen too closely it could alter your creative spark.
We do know who it's going to be but we can't say yet!
First there was Horns of Plenty, which was experimental and avante garde, - a find your way sort of thing - then Yellow House, which had a very nostalgic/summer days of yore feel, and then there was Friend EP, which was possibly your “let’s do something fun and different before we have to settle down to the business of the next record.” Is there a specific emotion that you’re trying to evoke in people with Veckatimest?
I think Veckatimest is a much more dynamic album with more variety and feelings. YH to me has a solitary semi-depressive feel to it, where I think there are moments of joy AND sadness on the new one.
About how many songs were recorded for the album and are we going to hear what didn’t make the cut?
This is most of the songs, but there are some things that will find their way to the surface, too early to tell now though.
What happened to Final Round/Spring Break, a fan favorite frequently played throughout your last tour? I do see a similarity between the drums in Final Round and the drums in Ready, Able.
Final Round was a great tour song we did for the TVOTR tour waaaaaay back in fall 2006. It was our attempt at trying to "rock out" when opening for a "rock band". Ultimately some members of the band just didn't think it was strong enough, who knows maybe we'll revisit it again someday.
There’s a substantial amount less reverb on your vocals on this album, are you more comfortable with your voice now?
Yes, definitely. I think this was a conscious choice to clear things up. Some people may miss the haze of Yellow House, but I think this new album reflects more confidence in all respects. Vocals, drumming, song writing. In many ways reverb or a billllion textures can sometimes feel like a way of hiding things you aren't 100 percent sure of, this album we are 100 percent sure of.
What did Gareth Jones bring to the final mix of Veckatimest and was it hard to let someone from the outside in to scrutinize your work?
He added a very important fresh set of ears to an album we had labored over for a long time
Was it easier writing this album as opposed to Yellow House on which you guys were still learning the collaborative ropes? And on Veckatimest, did you just wing it when it came to songwriting duties and let things be how they may?
It was DIFFERENT, not easier. It was new. We wrote this album much more collaboratively and tried a lot of different writing techniques which was both exciting and scary. I still don't think to this day we have a "formula" for writing music we just keep trying out different avenues and seeing what feels right for what time.
Finally, how much do you take to heart when it comes to album reviews, and will negative/positive critiquing have much of an effect on the next album?
I've gotten a lot better. I mean I'll always be bummed if we get trashed somewhere. I've learned though that the bigger you get the more people you expose yourself to, the chances are higher someone in the mix is going to hate you. Even though I think Veckatimest is awesome and I'm really proud of it, someone will probably hate it somewhere for some reason. I think at this point, now I don't really care as much for their reasoning because if you listen too closely it could alter your creative spark.
1 comments:
good interview! i like the questions you asked, for the most part.
might want to clean up the punctuation starting around the questions about the BAM show, and it does seem to run a little long overall, but very solid.
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