I know you play many instruments, what was the first one your learned how to play?
My mother and grandmother were self taught piano folk, so I grew up in front of the keyboard. Still trying to learn how to play the thing.
What was your introduction to indie music?
I grew up playing jazz, but my friend Kevin Farrell, a great bass player whom I often played with while studying at CalArts, introduced me to Cory when I moved to Portland. Once I began playing with Cory in various bands, I discovered a new world of creative music in which I was previously oblivious to. My revelation was something like, "Oh, stuff that's not jazz can also be extremely challenging and creative. Wow!"
Tell us about some of the musicians/bands you have played with ( i know there have been a lot).
Well...I just got back from a US tour playing keys and trumpet for Norfolk and Western, opening for Mirah, who I ended up playing some horn with as well. They were a really great crew to tour with, everyone down for a little adventure. And sidewalk dance parties. I have also been touring on and off in Australia for the last few years with a fellow named Darren Hanlon, who, in addition to being a great songwriter, has also been the master planner of some seriously wacky outback adventures.
When did the idea for Carcrashlander first begin to form?
I was involved in a band called Desert City Soundtrack that was a collaborative effort and a pretty loud rock and roll endeavor. During that time I was cultivating some solo songs in a much mellower vein, and called it carcrashlander. Since the disband of DCS, carcrashlander has been morphing and evolving in all sorts of different directions, depending mostly on players and settings.
Tell me about the recording of WHERE TO SWIM? How does it differ from your other records?
Our good friend Brandon Eggleston engineered most of the basic tracks at Jackpot Recording Studio, so it was easy to get nice sounds. We rehearsed the material a few times, then recorded keys, bass, and drums together in one day, so it has a nice "performance" feel to it, similar to our last record. As always, Cory was very open to our creative input and let the music happen instead of trying to dictate what to play. I think that musical trust we have for each other is extremely important in establishing a comfortable environment and getting the right vibe for the music. This record differs from previous recordings in that it gets a bit more experimental and accessible at the same time. We weren't afraid to take this record to some new places, as the musical styles we borrow from vary quite a bit, but they're sort of our own take on them, adapted for Cory's songs. Admittedly it was a little strange to say something like, "This song sounds best as a bossa nova," but that sort of try-anything attitude was liberating and makes this record unique. I think Cory's senses for melody and lyrics can make whatever "style" sound like his own. Hopefully people will listen past the superficiality of the "styles" and hear it as a collective, cohesive record.
Tell us about recording at the legendary Jackpot Studios. Tell us about some of the gear used (playing and recording)
Jackpot Studios is one dreamy jam. New Neve console and one of the best mic collections in town. We did all our basic tracks in one day there under the command of captain Brandon Eggleston, who can sail the studio ship like nobody's dirty business.
How did you hook up with Parks and Records?
Jon and Mimi are longtime friends from back in the Rum Diary/Desert City touring days. I suppose I gave them one hodgepodge carcrashlander CDR too many until they said "damn it all let's put a record out you hippie" [not a direct quote]
What is "House Arrest' about?
Its about burning through life too fast and missing parts of this existence that are easy to pick up on when you're in the isolation of nature. And how civilization is training us to be separated from our connections to true reality and to the planet.
Your 5 band dream bill?
Using groups who are alive and active, this concert would be fun:
Paul Motian Electric BeBop Band
Wilco
Brian Blade Fellowship
Radiohead
New York Philharmonic
Five Portland bands we may not have heard of but who deserve our attention?
Old Light
IOA
Shelley Short
Kelly Bauman
Andrew Oliver Kora Band
Top 10 desert island discs?
Herbie Hancock - Speak Like a Child
Pat Matheny, Charlie Haden, Billy Higgins - Rejoicing
John Coltrane - Living Space
Keith Jarrett - Mysteries
Rachmaninoff - Piano Concerto No. 2
Beatles - White Album
Brad Mehldau - Largo
John Adams - Harmonium
Radiohead - Amnesiac
Pink Floyd - Dark Side of the Moon
Anything you would like to add that I didn't ask you?
STS-925
Where did the name Carcrashlander come form?
I think it came about while thinking of how some people seem to come out of totally fucked up situations unscathed. Like walking away from a car wreck. Like the dukes of hazard.0
