So
if you didn't get out of the house Saturday and over to a shop
celebrating Record Store Day, it sucks to be you. This past
Saturday, and City Weekly's new favorite non-holiday, was a
boom of music all around the state. With a huge sign of love and
support for local bands and artists who took the time to come out and
essentially play a free show for whoever stopped by at the many
different locations. So of course coverage was due somewhere.
--- As
its become the unofficial tradition, I stopped by Slowtrain for their
all-day extravaganza. Featuring bands out back and more intimate solo
shows down in the brand new Subterranean Lounge, which was kicking
out frosty $3 beers all day. For this year's show I got to chat with
The Continentals, Desert Noises and Glade Sowards, along with a ton
of photos for your viewing pleasure.
The
Continentals
(Erik Robbin, Jordan Watko, Kevin Fleming, Shane Webb,
Ben Alleman and Logan Hone)
http://www.myspace.com/thecontinentalsut
Gavin:
Hey guys, first off, tell us a little about yourselves.
Logan:
We are a band from Salt Lake City, Utah. We released an album in
January called Rhino that
we're really excited about.
Gavin:
What got you interested in music, and who were some of your favorite
acts and musical influences growing up?
Jordan:
I think we definitely all came from very different musical
backgrounds, but honestly it was the local scene that really brought
us together musically. We all love the Uzi & Ari records and
fairly quickly got excited about what other people were doing in the
scene. All of our previous musical interests obviously influence what
and how we write to an extent, but I think this common energy about
local acts and even our own little garage bands that we were playing
with really influenced us more than anything. I mean I grew up
listening to Radiohead and The Cure, but that seems so fantastical
and out of reach. Something about seeing these local bands putting
together incredible live shows and even more incredible records got
me really excited about music in a new way. I still feel like some of
the best records I own are things i picked up at Kilby Court and
Slowtrain.
Logan:
Sister Suvi.
Shane:
The most influential band for me growing up would definitely be
Chicago. I listed to them a ton when I was a kid. Now the music I
listen to is a lot different than what I used to listen to but I
still go back to my original roots for some inspiration. Chicago is
my inspiration. And yes, that is a pun.
Gavin:
How did you all get together to form The Continentals?
Logan:
We were a close circle of friends playing in different bands but all
practicing at Ben's house. We just started writing songs together
and adding more friends.
Jordan:
Ya, it was fairly spontaneous and natural. It would be a Friday night
and we'd all be sitting in the basement with a 16 track recorder and
a couple condenser mics and someone would ask, "What are we
recording tonight?" That's actually how the band got started.
Just that simple.
Ben:
My house is the best! I bought the 16 track recorder to get friends,
and it worked.
Shane:
I started jamming with Ben and Logan and a couple of other kids and
at first I was really intimidated about playing with other guys but
soon I realized that it wasn't anything to get nervous over. We
started adding more people and writing more songs.
Logan:
Yeah, what's funny is that even though we were practicing in Ben's
basement, he actually didn't join the band until about a year after
we started. He didn't start playing until after the Safety
EP was released but he was helping out and contributing so much
before that it just made sense to have him join.
Gavin:
The group consists of a seven piece formation playing multiple
instruments between you. What was it like creating music together and
formulating the unique sound for both the album and live?
Jordan:
As we kind of mentioned, there definitely wasn't a shortage of
musicians in our group of friends. We all played different
instruments with our different projects. When the seven of us started
playing together, only a few of us would really come up with song
ideas. Then it was just a matter of adding layers and asking
ourselves what the songs needed. Finding a "sound" wasn't a
conscious decision as much as just the outcome of the instrumentation
we fell into. Eventually we settled in on what set up worked best for
us in terms of writing and playing live, and that's what we have
stuck with. In terms of recording though we always try to use a
variety of sounds and for that we experiment a lot with instruments
that we maybe don't usually play or not quite as experienced
with.
Gavin:
What was the recording process like behind the Safety
EP, and the difficulties you dealt with while putting it
together?
Jordan:
I don't think any of us really had a clue to be honest. I had a
little experience with Ableton Live, but besides that it was really
just trial and error. We had these really stripped down songs that we
were writing in fields and busking on the weekends and it just came
to the point that we wanted them to be accurately represented on a
recording.
Logan:
We recorded the Safety
EP with the 16 track Tascam recorder which we had been using for a
while before we actually recorded. But this was the first time that
we were actually recording a real set of songs. So it was a new
experience for us to try to tie the songs together and make it a
whole piece of work rather than just a few individual songs.
Jordan:
Getting to know the 16 track and how to get good sound and
composition was a huge influence on the recordings I believe. All of
the sudden i had to become even more invested in these songs and
really make them into something that people would want to listen
to.
Logan: And
not just something that people would want to listen to, but something
that we would want to listen to ourselves.
Shane:
Logan and Jordan did most of the work putting the songs together of
the Safety
EP. I just recorded what I felt like playing and they made it sound
decent.
Gavin:
Do you prefer the DIY style of recording or do you wish you had a
studio to perfect it in?
Logan:
We like recording ourselves because we have a decent setup and have
been able to get the sounds we want and not worry about how much time
we are spending. It's nice recording for free but if we had the
opportunity to record in a professional studio with a producer that
we liked and respected, we'd definitely do it.
Ben:
In the beginning, if we had studio time and the clock ticking, we
would have been a wreck and been in the hands of the
engineer/producer, but now, we are quite confident with things we
want and could probably convey those things to a producer easier.
Bands without confidence when working with a producer will probably
be dissatisfied later down the road because the record really could
have been contrary to their unknown vision. Bands with confidence can
translate their ideas and understand the value of producer's ideas,
and that itself can open up a record to new heights.
Gavin:
What was the public reaction like to that release?
Logan:
I think people liked the Safety
EP a lot. It was our first release and it was nice for people to have
something to take home after they saw us play a show. We really liked
it and were excited about it but the acoustic sound of the EP was
very different from our live show so we were ready to record an album
that was a more accurate representation of us.
Jordan:
I completely agree. We didn't have much expectation for how it would
be received, so the fact that people liked this little acoustic
influenced EP was really the motivation to do something bigger. We
wanted something that people could take home and really listen
to.
Gavin:
You recently released your first full-length album, Rhino.
What were the differences in recording this album from the
EP?
Jordan:
Our entire approach was new going into Rhino.
Because we wanted so much more out of the new recording, a lot of
things had to change such as the quality of sound and, even more so,
the overall cohesiveness of the album. We spent a lot of time
practicing, talking about the artwork, tracklisting ideas, and even
the emotions we wanted the songs to convey. In the end I think we
were all really pleased by the way the record portrayed these songs
that we cared about so much, whether or not they were accurate with
are live show or consistent with the the Safety
EP.
Logan:
We spent about seven months recording Rhino.
We recorded it ourselves in our basement studio. We brought in a few
guest musicians: a few string players to play with Hillary(our
violist) as a string trio and also a trumpet and trombone player for
some more horns, along with my saxophone playing. We worked really
hard to find cool sounds and make an album that we liked and were
proud of.
Gavin:
Are there any plans down the road for a tour or mainly playing local
gigs for now?
Logan:
Yeah, we are planning on touring a little bit with Hosannas (formerly
Church) in June. They're an awesome band from Portland. We're
really excited about it.
Gavin:
Tell us about thoughts on playing Record Store Day at Slowtrain, and
what are your thoughts on the event as a whole?
Logan:
We were stoked when Slowtrain asked us to play! Record Store Day is
a great day and Slowtrain is such a great record store.
Jordan:
Slowtrain has been so kind to us. Seeing so many good line ups in
years past, we were really excited to be asked to play this
year.
Gavin:
Moving onto state-wide, what are your thoughts on the local music
scene, both good and bad?
Jordan:
Personally, I love Salt Lake and going to local shows in other states
reminds how good of a scene we have. Its been hard to see some of my
favorite bands move or fade away, but I'm still optimistic.
Ben:
I've seen good bands and I've seen awful bands. I've seen awful bands
transform to be great, and I've seen great bands go sour. Anything
can happen... I just want to be making the best possible music
personally.
Gavin:
Aside yourselves, who are your favorite acts in the scene right
now?
Logan: We
love Tolchock Trio, Uzi & Ari, Boots To The Moon, The Lionelle,
and Will Sartain.
Jordan:
Mathematics Et Cetera and Eden Express have put out some fantastic
material too.
Ben:
S.L.F.M. and The Universalists.
Gavin:
What's your opinion on the current airplay on community radio these
days and how its affecting local artists?
Logan:
We definitely support community radio.
Gavin:
What can we expect from you guys over the rest of the year?
Logan:
A tour, some new recordings, and shows!
Ben:
PR.
Gavin: Is
there anything you'd like to plug or promote?
Jordan:
An unbelievable Salt Lake band The Lionelle are releasing a new
record soon that we are really excited for! That one is not to be
missed! Also, anything that S.L.F.M. does is gold.
Logan:
And The Awful Truth. Brent is awesome and makes great music.
Ben:
Grapefruit juice.
Shane:
I'd like to second the notion of The Awful Truth.
Desert
Noises
(Tyler Osmond, Kyle Henderson and Trevor
Henderson)
http://www.myspace.com/thedesertnoises
Gavin:
Hey guys, first off, tell us a little about yourselves.
Kyle:
We are just three friends who love making and listening to music.
its our passion. Its what makes us happy.
Gavin:
What got you interested in music, and who were some of your favorite
acts and musical influences growing up?
Kyle:
I first was really into Modest Mouse. Lonesome Crowded West
was and still could be my favorite album of all time. I think that
they inspired me to make my own music and join bands.
Gavin:
How did you all get together to form Desert Noises?
Kyle:
We were all friends and sometimes played old 60s covers for fun, but
then I started to learn to play guitar and write my own songs. At
that point I wanted to take the songs in a band format. It just kind
of happened from there.
Gavin:
What was the influence behind the softer alternative music you
create, and perfecting that sound for a live performance?
Kyle:
There are so many softer bands/artists that we listen to, its hard
to just name one. But listening to them all you start to feel their
music and energy. The goal is always to recreate how you feel about
the song as your playing it live.
Gavin:
How was the recording process behind that first self-titled EP, and
the challenges you met while creating it?
Kyle:
We recorded the EP in four days... We didn't even plan on releasing
it... None of us really knew anything about the recording process so
I guess the only challenges would be learning how everything worked.
Gavin:
What made you originally jump on board with Northplatte
Records?
Kyle:
Northplatte were the ones that invited us in to record a record. At
first there were no plans to be a part of the label, but after
recording they really liked it and wanted to help us release it.
Gavin:
What was the public reaction like to the album when it was finally
release?
Kyle:
The reaction was great. We have had some awesome reviews.
Gavin:
You're one of the most frequently touring bands out of Utah. Why did
you choose to be on the road so much?
Kyle:
I didn't know we were on the road that much. But I think we want to
be out there more. Its the feeling of playing to someone you have
never seen before. I cant really explain it.
Gavin:
You're currently working on your new full-length album. What's the
progress like on that, and how has it differed from the EP
sessions?
Kyle:
So much work has gone into writing the songs for the full length. We
actually are preparing for this one unlike the last one. I think
knowing that we are there to make a real record to release to public
will be the biggest difference. But we still plan on recording
everything quickly.
Gavin:
Going state-wide, what are your thoughts on the local music scene,
both good and bad?
Kyle:
I think its great. A lot of bands support each other in touring and
making records. I think its a great scene to be apart of.
Gavin:
Is there anything you believe could be done to make it bigger or
better?
Kyle:
I cant think of anything right now...
Gavin:
Aside yourselves, who are your favorite acts in the scene right now?
Kyle:
We really love Paror Hawk and the whole Northplatte family, also The
Devil Whale and I stumbled on The Continentals recently. The stuff I
have heard so far is really great. I'm hoping to catch a live show of
theirs soon.
Gavin:
What's your opinion on the current airplay on community radio these
days and how its affecting local artists?
Kyle:
I think its awesome. KRCL has done a lot for us, with playing our
songs and also having us on the air live. We love those guys.
Gavin:
What's your take on file sharing these days and how it affects you
as musicians?
Kyle:
I think its fine. We all need to get our music in peoples hands. I
would just hope that people would buy it if the liked it.
Gavin:
What can we expect from you guys over the rest of the year?
Kyle:
The new record! And touring! There will be lots of things to come
this year. It will be an exciting year for us.
Gavin:
Is there anything you'd like to plug or promote?
Kyle:
Northplatte Records. they really have some great artists. Parlor
Hawk just released their debut album and Joshua James is out on the
road right now supporting his recent release. They have been so good
to us. We can't thank them enough. Also... be sure to keep up with us
for news on things happening in the future.
Glade
Sowards
http://www.myspace.com/gladesowards
Gavin:
Hey Glade, first off, tell us a little about yourself.
Glade:
I’m from Utah originally. Vernal and, later, Park City. Lived
out of state on and off for about eight years. Ended up in Salt Lake
in 1998 for what was supposed to be a temporary stay… still here.
I’ve been playing in bands and writing songs since I was about 13.
I’ve tried to leave it now and again, but keep coming back.
Gavin:
What got you interested in music, and who were some of your
influences growing up?
Glade:
Wow. Well, early on we used to jam out to rock videos with
cardboard air guitars to metal bands. At some point we realized that
maybe we could play real ones, so we went to the local pawn shop and
bought some old Harmony electrics and started messing around. About
that time, I started gravitating to arty stuff, new wave, and some
punk. Don’t laugh, but I was really into Duran Duran for a while
and then moved on to The Cure, The Violent Femmes, New Order, Echo
and the Bunnymen, etc. Sometime in high school I stumbled onto a
video for R.E.M.’s South Central Rain
and that was it! Wall-to-wall R.E.M. I eventually ended up living
in the Midwest for a while and really got into the Cowboy Junkies,
Vic Chesnutt (R.I.P., Vic), Neil Young, and Uncle Tupelo (and later
Wilco and Son Volt). In the mid-to-late-90s, I discovered Drag City
Records with great artists like Will Oldham and Edith Frost. Who
else? Elliott Smith, Gillian Welch and David Rawlings, and Neutral
Milk Hotel… all great. My biggest obsession for the past few years
would have to be Jason Molina’s stuff (Songs: Ohia, Magnolia
Electric Co.), so it was a real treat to be able to play with
Magnolia for a couple shows last year.
Gavin:
How did you first get started performing around as a solo artist?
Glade:
For a while I was playing bass with a college band in Southern
California. We would do some originals, but mostly covers. We
seemed to be doing pretty well and would sell out a lot of good-sized
venues, but it wasn’t very satisfying, because I wanted to do more
original material. In about 1992, I decided to transfer to a tiny
college in Iowa, and when I made the move, I decided to sell all my
bass gear and get an acoustic guitar. I think knew like four chords
back then on guitar, but I figured I could learn more, and it would
let me try my own songs regardless of whether I had a band together
or not… tougher to do that on bass. Later I moved to the Upper
Peninsula of Michigan and into a really fun and supportive music
scene. I got to play a lot of solo shows there and put out my first
real CD. I’ve been hooked ever since.
Gavin:
When solo, do you prefer more intimate shows or larger crowds, and
why?
Glade:
Well, obviously, it’s fun to play for larger crowds, especially
with a band. When I play solo, though, I play pretty quietly, so
it’s nice to find a venue where people are there to listen, or will
go outside if they’re not into it!. I’ve had some wonderful
shows at Kilby Court where folks just sit down and get really quiet
and listen. That helps me get more into what I’m doing on stage,
and hopefully it’s a better show all the way around. I love Urban
Lounge shows, but I’ve seen some quiet acts struggle a little in
that setting.
Gavin:
You had been playing around for so long both in band and on your
own, why wait until just last year to record an album?
Glade:
Well, I’ve actually done about four “albums” prior to last
summer’s release, but I only released two of them (Rock
Island Station and Bile)
for pretty limited runs in 1996 and again in 1998. I haven’t been
satisfied with a lot of the stuff I’ve recorded, so I tend to just
sit on it. The self-titled release from July was actually stuff I’d
recorded myself over the past four years or so, and I never really
intended to release it. A group of friends got together and snuck
some files off my computer and released it for me, which both sweet
and terrifying. Sorta like having someone publish pages out of your
diary. But I know they meant well by it, and it’s been fun to have
something to share with folks again.
Gavin:
What was the process like for you in recording that album?
Glade:
I came up with most of those songs after I’d come home from a bar
or seeing a show... often around 2AM or so. I’d usually get some
kind of melody in my head and open GarageBand and a word processor.
I’d hurry and bang out words in OpenOffice -- about my thoughts and
experiences of the evening or whatever -- hit record in GarageBand,
and switch back to the lyrics and just do one or two takes, reading
the lyrics as I’d go. Then I’d circle back and throw in some
harmonies and dump it into iTunes. Done. Most of the tracks were
recorded sitting on my couch into my laptop using the tiny little
condenser mic at the top of the screen, so you get a lot of fan and
hard drive noise and hiss. You can hear some of that on the record.
But I like using the laptop like that because sometimes I lose an
idea by the time I get more sophisticated recording gear set up and
working. I guess I have a short attention span.
Gavin:
Was doing it in a DIY style by preference or more necessity, and how
did that go for you?
Glade:
Well, I probably have the resources to do a proper recording, but I
never seem to get good takes when I’m in that setting. The songs
I’ve done in studios never sound as good as the first demo to me,
so I guess it’s just where it ended up. Again, I never really
intended to put these recordings out, so the album is what it is.
There are tracks I might not have picked, but I figure if those are
the songs my friends liked, I can’t really complain. It was such a
sweet thing that they did that I have to accept it for what it is.
Gavin:
It officially came out back in July. What did you think of the
public reaction to it?
Glade:
Yeah, my friends surprised me with it on stage at Urban Lounge at
David Williams’ CD release party. Absolutely blew my mind. Since
then, I’ve gotten a lot of great comments and some nice reviews by
folks that really warmed my heart. More recently, the record was
featured on the Team-Love Records Library,
and it's been cool to have a wider audience exposed to my songs.
Gavin:
You're also one of the members of The Black Hens, how is it for you
writing material for both a solo project and a group?
Glade:
Well, it’s been interesting. The Black Hens really started as a
vehicle for David and I to play our solo material with a full band.
I don’t think I originally thought about writing songs specifically
for the Hens. I’d just bring whatever I had to the table. After
we got going and got a little louder, we realized that the more
upbeat stuff worked the best, and I found myself writing more in that
style. The Black Hens are sorta on hiatus now, and I’m planning to
do more solo shows this year, and now I’m finding that it’s hard
to translate some of the Hens material back to a solo setting. Go
figure.
Gavin:
Tell us about thoughts on playing Record Store Day at Slowtrain, and
what are your thoughts on the event as a whole?
Glade:
This will be my first opportunity to play RSD since Slowtrain
opened, and I'm excited to be included alongside so many talented
bands/artists. Chris and Anna have done a lot for the SLC music
scene, and I'm happy to be a part of the event. I think it shows
that despite how you may feel about digital music/downloads/etc.,
there's still a place for local music, shows, and stores where people
can really connect on a direct level.
Gavin:
A bit state-wide, what are your thoughts on the local music scene,
both good and bad?
Glade:
Well, it’s really a lot better than it was when I first moved back
to SLC. Having venues like Kilby and Urban have allowed local bands
to play shows with some great out-of-town acts, and I think it’s
really lifted the whole scene. That said, it’s a small scene for a
town of this size, and there’s maybe some potential for drama or
burnout because everyone knows everyone. But I find that folks are
generally really supportive of each other’s projects.
Gavin:
Is there anything you believe could be done to make it bigger or
better?
Glade:
The older I get, the more I realize that there’s nothing magic
about it. Bands need to work hard, play out often, put out new
material, and tour (almost none of which I do, ha ha). If everyone
does that and continues to support each other by attending and
promoting shows, I think it will only get better.
Gavin:
Not counting your projects, who are your favorite acts in the scene
right now?
Glade:
Well, I’m a huge fan of David Williams and not just because we’re
friends and have played together for years. His stuff is simply
amazing, and don’t let the easy-going bearded guy from the desert
thing fool you… that guy works hard on his music, and it shows.
Who else? Jay Henderson, The Devil Whale, Andrew Shaw/The Platte,
Bluebird Radio, Brian Oakley, Ben Kilbourn, and Will Sartain’s new
solo stuff.
Gavin:
What's your opinion on the current airplay on community radio these
days and how its affecting local artists?
Glade:
KRCL has been a great supporter of local music, and I really
appreciate the efforts of Ebay Hamilton and Jamie Gadette to get
local bands on the air. I also recently had an opportunity to play
on KUER’s Radio West with Andrew Shaw’s band, The Platte, and
really enjoyed it. I hope they continue to explore the local scene.
Gavin:
What's your take on file sharing these days and how it affects you
as a musician?
Glade:
Well, I know it’s a subject people have strong feelings about, but
for me, personally, I think it’s mostly been beneficial. The fact
is that there’s a lot of stuff out there right now, and I think
“giving some material away” is about the only way to get heard.
That said, I think there’s still a role for physical format
material, and I’m intrigued by the shift back to selling vinyl with
either a CD-R or a download card. That way, there’s still
something for fans to purchase and hold. If I think about it, as a
kid, I’d record stuff off the radio all the time for mix tapes or
whatever. I’d also duplicate my friends tapes on my boombox. It
was kind of like lo-fi file sharing, and it often resulted in a
purchase of the real record or a T-shirt or a concert ticket down the
road. I think it’s more important to get the music out there while
you’re figuring out new ways for folks to help compensate you for
your efforts.
Gavin:
What can we expect from you over the course of this year?
Glade:
Well, I plan to play more solo shows, and I’m experimenting with
some other projects. I'm currently playing with Wren Kennedy and
Joey Pedersen (Bluebird Radio) and Jake Fish (Devil Whale) in a new
band. So far, we're nameless, but we have a few shows coming up
still the same. And I have a new record I'm releasing for Record
Store Day. It's sort of the other bookend for the record released
last summer on my behalf. It's more demos and live stuff, but
hopefully someone will find it interesting.
Gavin:
Is there anything you'd like to plug or promote?
Glade:
Go to local shows. Go to your friends’ shows. Have a house
concert. Pick up the guitar. Start a band. Start a label. Tomorrow
we die.