in 
Interviews
Interviews Thursday
04Sep
FM Interviews The Walkmen
Thursday, September 4, 2008 at 09:15AM 
Were continually expanding our wings here at FM Headquarters, to the point that actual musicans (as opposed to the ones that we make up in our minds) have started granting us interview requests. In a summer series of sorts I've had the opportunity to chat with members of The M's, These United States, Revival, Panther and more. Today we're talking (sort of) with The Walkmen. We took some time out of our busy schedules to sit down in front of a computer screen and discuss what's happening in their world via email. Enjoy!
###
FM:
I like to start out any interview asking about the music that you like
to listen to. What's on your iPod or in the tape deck of the van right
now?
Walkmen: Merle Haggard
FM:
What artists would our readers be surprised
to find out that The Walkmen are big fans of?
Walkmen: Led Zeppelin
FM:
The new album has been making a significant amount of buzz around the
Internet for a variety of reasons. What was the process of putting the
album together?
Walkmen:
We started writing it 2 1/2 years ago. At first it was going to be a
big band/salsa sounding record because we were using horns and strings
for the first time and salsa/big band music sounded like a fun new
direction. We realized we didn't understand that kind of music enough
so we just messed around for a long long time until we came up with
about 20 songs we loved.
FM:
The reason I ask is because this is the first album you guys have
written since '06, when you also put out a cover record. Pussy Cats
itself was met with a fair amount of criticism, particularly the
"covers of covers" like "Subterranean Homesick Blues." Was it hard to
get back in the song writing mode?
Walkmen:
We were ready to go actually, after Pussycats writing was very
appealing. It just took forever because we started editing very very
very carefully and trashing anything that had the faintest smell of
anything sour on it.
FM: Were the songs on You & Me compiled over the years or were they written specifically for the album?
Walkmen: They were all written for the album.
FM:
All that being said, it's clear that You & Me is a bit of a
different ballgame for you guys. The sounds are similar to previous
efforts, but the perspective of the subject matter seems to have
shifted. If Pussy Cats is the backdrop, what has a chaotic
"Lennon-and-Nilsson-Brandy-Alexander" type lifestyle affected your worldview and consequently how you make music?
Walkmen: Our lifestyle actually has never been a "Lennon-and Nilsson-Brandy-Alexander" type. We just like their music.
FM:
Well, not only does the perspective on the album's subject matter seem
more mature, but the way the album was initially released demonstrates
concerns larger than what is typical for rock and rollers. Let's talk
about the Amie Street soft-release benefit. How did it come about?
Was the campaign successful? Would you pursue opportunities like this
in the future?
Walkmen:
Pete's friend's child was diagnosed with Leukemia and Amie Street
came to us with their plan in place and asked if there was a charity or
something we'd like to help out. We'd been trying to organize a
benefit concert for them , but this came along and it was perfect. It
was a big success I think and we'd certainly do something like it in
the future.
FM: Is there a way our readers and others can make further contributions to the Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center?
Walkmen: They should go to the website for that information.
FM:
Amie Street itself has introduced an interesting concept on music
distribution. How do you feel about he digital, iEverything revolution
that is overhauling the record industry?
Walkmen:
I mean it has changed everything but its good in a ton of ways. Music
is very accessible and people get very excited about new things and it
makes us bands work hard to keep up. But I don't like how they always
play interesting and slightly "off the beaten path" music at
Starbucks--I have worked hard to have every Neil Young song ever
recorded and I heard one at Starbucks I'd never heard. Sometimes
things are too accessible. It made me hate the internet, starbucks
and coffee and music in general...I puked up my frappucinno.
FM: Are you fans of Stephen Colbert?
Walkmen:I don't know much about him.
FM:
That was a bit random. Back to the record...In their review of You
& Me, Pitchfork makes the comment that "This is the sound they've
reached for since the very beginning." Is that true?
Walkmen:
No. We had no idea what directions we wanted to go in when we started,
we play it by ear entirely and just go in whatever direction sounds new
and exciting. This record feels the most new and exciting since the
band started.
FM:
Like most people, we love and hate Pitchfork here at Fig & Mint.
Do you guys read music blogs?
Walkmen: Not really. Its too confusing and time-consuming and too much computer time makes a dude weak and depressed.
FM: Of course I can assume that your favorite music blog is Fig & Mint. What is it that you like most about us?
Walkmen: I thought Fig & Mint was a clothing line until I got this email.
FM: Er...
Walkmen: Um, so...
FM: Yeah...uh...I don't really know what to say...
Walkmen: ...
FM: Thanks for your time guys! If you only had one more thing to say to our readers (because you do), what would that be?
Walkmen: Don't drink too much coffee, it will make you lose your mojo.
FM: Well, thanks for stopping by FM Headquarters and we look forward to catching your shows!
Walkmen: Thanks.
###
9/05: Hot Club Waterfront Festival, Providence
9/06: 9:30 Club, DC (we're playing early!!)
9/09: La Sala Rossa, Montreal
9/10: Horseshoe Tavern, Toronto
9/11: Pike Room @ Crofoot, Pontiac
9/12: Metro, Chicago
9/13: 400 Bar, Minneapolis
9/14: Barrymore Theater, Madison
9/15: The Basement, Columbus
9/18: Middle East, Cambridge
10/02: Cats Cradle, Carrboro
10/03: The Earl, Atlanta
10/04: Common Grounds, Gainesville
10/05: The Social, Orlando
10/08: Republic, New Orleans
10/09: Walters, Houston
10/10: The Parish, Austin
10/11: Pontiac Garage @ HOB, Dallas
10/12: Hi Tone, Memphis
10/13: The Basement, Nashville
10/14: Southgate House, Newport
10/28: London, England ULU
10/29: Manchester, England Academy 3
10/31: Leeds, England Cockpit
11/1: Glasgow, Scotland Stereo
11/2: Dublin, Ireland Button Factory
9/06: 9:30 Club, DC (we're playing early!!)
9/09: La Sala Rossa, Montreal
9/10: Horseshoe Tavern, Toronto
9/11: Pike Room @ Crofoot, Pontiac
9/12: Metro, Chicago
9/13: 400 Bar, Minneapolis
9/14: Barrymore Theater, Madison
9/15: The Basement, Columbus
9/18: Middle East, Cambridge
10/02: Cats Cradle, Carrboro
10/03: The Earl, Atlanta
10/04: Common Grounds, Gainesville
10/05: The Social, Orlando
10/08: Republic, New Orleans
10/09: Walters, Houston
10/10: The Parish, Austin
10/11: Pontiac Garage @ HOB, Dallas
10/12: Hi Tone, Memphis
10/13: The Basement, Nashville
10/14: Southgate House, Newport
10/28: London, England ULU
10/29: Manchester, England Academy 3
10/31: Leeds, England Cockpit
11/1: Glasgow, Scotland Stereo
11/2: Dublin, Ireland Button Factory
View Printer Friendly Version
Email Article to Friend
Reader Comments