Author: aftertheshow (Page 161 of 192)

Interview with Farmer Dave

August 22, 2012 /

I caught up with musician Dave Scher, better known by his nickname Farmer Dave.

Farmer Dave has done studio and production work, been a touring musician with Jenny Lewis, Interpol, Elvis Costello, Johnathan Rice and Vetiver, and Jenny & Johnny even refer to him in their song “New Yorker Cartoon” as “my best friend Farmer Dave.”

After The Show: What’s one of your favorite lyrics that you’ve ever written?

Farmer Dave: “And you came on from so far away
Miss Carolina 3AM
I send a bottle with your name
Floating down along the Seine
You burn in me while I’m gone
But the day’s gonna come
I’m gonna be by your side
From the daylight till the dawn
And we could go on”

How do you stay connected to the musicians you’re playing with onstage and not feel isolated when you’re sitting down stationary and everyone else (except the drummer) is standing up and moving around?

I stand up more these days
But sitting doesn’t make a difference
The connection is still there

Do you prefer playing guitar on faster or slower songs? Does tempo deeply influence the way you feel as you play a song?

a variety of tempos is the ideal
I want to experience
All the colors of the tempo rainbow

Your bands Beachwood Sparks and All Night Radio were on Sub Pop. What do you see as the future role of record labels in an age where albums are rarely purchased anymore?

I would like the labels to have more interest in artistic development
Like Motown, Old Hollywood,
or David Geffen’s Asylum label

Nature and California/the ocean seem to be big themes in your music. How do nature and music connect for you?

They are one and the same
I hear the best things in nature and out in the world
For me the human recordings, performances, and compositions we all listen to will always play second fiddle

You played lap steel on one of my favorite albums – Are You Thinking What I’m Thinking by The Like. How did that come about?

My girlfriend at the time managed The Like…I really loved them like family, and am happy to’ve known them and spent time with them…We had the best adventure, me driving them in a van across the country opening for Kings of Leon … it was rad.

Whose idea was it to do the “Ask Farmer Dave” advice column on Jenny Lewis’ website?

Probably J Lew.

Your song “By Your Side” was in the movie Scott Pilgrim Vs. The World nine years after the song was released, and you did the music for a Tokyo Cyder commercial. What’s your view on music licensing? 

Licensing I don’t have much philosophy on.
I love music in movies and have always loved commercial compositions as music just like other kinds.
We have some real classic jingles growing up in the Southland.

I saw you playing a few July 4th’s back at Battery Park. What did you do for July 4th in 2012?

I went up to Pt Dume in Malibu and had a fire with friends. You could see the fireworks for each city all the way along the bay to Palos Verdes.

Thanks, Farmer Dave

Sports Music Videos

August 16, 2012 /

Now that the 2012 Summer Olympics are over, where can you turn to watch feats of athleticism? To get your sports fix, look no further than these music videos.

1. Synchronized swimming: “What I Say and What I Mean” by The Like:

2. Diving: “In Too Deep” by Sum 41:

3. Water balloon fight: “Love Me Like The World Is Ending” by Ben Lee:

4. Treadmill: “Here It Goes Again” by Ok Go:

5. Tennis: “Hello” by Martin Solveig & Dragonette:

6. Tennis (again): “Giving Up The Gun” by Vampire Weekend:

Interview: Lauren Larson of Ume

August 7, 2012 /

10/22/10 - Ume performs at Mercury Lounge in New York City as part of CMJ 2010

Yesterday, I spoke to Lauren Larson, the lead singer and guitarist of Ume, about the band’s current tour, having a secret life as a rock guitarist, and Bjork.

After The Show: So I saw you play last week at Webster Hall and I was amazed by how much power you guys created as a 3 person band. How is it touring with The Toadies and Helmet so far?

Lauren Larson/Ume: It’s a lot of fun and a real honor. The Toadies have always been great supporters of Texas bands and more independent bands. We played with them a couple of times and they invited us to do an east coast run, and Helmet picked us for the west coast run. I like that I don’t have to turn down my guitar!

A lot of bands today have limited to no stage-presence, they’re more shoegaze-y. Why do you make theatrics and displays of raw, unbridled energy important to your live show?

I’m pretty shy and reserved every other time, but [onstage] is my one chance to not hold everything back. It’s a different side of myself. Live music, rock and roll…when else can you put your heart completely into something and really let go?

With indie rock, a lot of bands are on stage and look like they don’t want to be there. Ume is the antithesis of that – we want to be there. Whether we’re playing to 5 or 5000 people, we put our heart completely into it. A lot of people tell me they’re inspired by what they see. It’s a lot of fun when for example young girls come up to me and say that I inspired them to do something they’re afraid to do or pick up a guitar.

What are the unique challenges and benefits of being married and having your spouse on tour with you? 

Eric [bassist of Ume] and I grew up together through music. He met me when I was playing guitar in my first band at age 15, and we always made music together. I think being in a band with anyone, married or not, requires commitment and communication. The band lives together in a van. Being respectful, giving each other space, and appreciating each other are all important.

A lot of bands today are making the bulk of their income via licensing. What’s your view on licensing – is it a goal for your band?

Right now it’s hard being in a touring band. No industry is dishing out money like before. We would never write music with [merely] the intent of getting it licensed, but we have had a couple songs in TV shows that paid well…As long as it’s not a company that I have an ethical problem with. We don’t mind having our music shared that way.

You recently got record deals for the Europe and Taiwan markets. How do you navigate the business side of music? 

It’s all pretty new to us. I came from a very DIY punk scene where kids were putting shows together in community spaces. The business side was far from my mind when I’m making music, but I’ve really learned a lot. Don’t always sign the first thing that comes your way, have confidence in your band, and keep freedom. Europe — We’ll be making our first trip over there for the Rock En Seine Festival [in Paris 8/25].

How did you initially balance working towards a Ph.D in philosophy and being in a band, and what made you decide to focus on music?

I’ve always had a duel personality – an academic nerdy side and my secret life as a rock guitarist. Most people wouldn’t expect it. For a while I always thought I could do both. I never wanted to categorize my life as either academic or musician. When I went to grad school I realized my heart wasn’t in the cerebral, and my passion was music – I could express my voice through music. I moved back to Austin, and I’m glad I decided to pursue music full time.

And last question, if you could have any band cover one of your songs, which band and what song of yours would you choose?

That’s interesting. Someone like Bjork to do a really interesting take on one of our songs…Bjork singing “Captive.” She could deconstruct it and her voice would soar.

Thanks Lauren. For tour dates and more info, check out Umemusic.com.

Ume at Webster Hall: 8/2/12

August 3, 2012 /

Ume (pronounced “ooh-may”) opened for The Toadies and Helmet last night, and I’m glad I arrived early to catch their set.

For a band of only three people, Ume had incredible power — they blasted sound and strength out into the crowd at Webster Hall.

Frontwoman Lauren Larson’s frenetic energy and distorted guitar meant lots of movement — Ume is perfectly suited to playing on a huge stage with ample room to move about.

While some may prefer the raw energy of their live show, I prefer the nuances on their album. The standout tracks on album Phantoms are “Captive,” “Destroyer,” and “Dancing Blind.”

 

 

Ume on Twitter

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