Music Now

Music Interview: Elder Statesmen

Published: March 03, 2007 11:09 AM EST
By: Isaac Joseph Davis Junior
(Juniorscave.com)




I remember when I first heard these guys on the popular online community, Myspace; I was mesmerized by their unique sounds. The band has described their sounds as a mixture of Rock / Indie / Ghettotech. What makes this band really stand out is that their sound is not a carbon copy of other bands out there now; they have truly mastered their own sweet style. One of my favorite tracks is called Kayo in where the band really lets loose. A person could jam to this one for hours. Check out this recent online interview with the group Elder Statesmen and see what I have been raving about.

MUSIC NOW: When and how did you first become interested in music? How long have you been playing music?
Elder Statesmen: All three of us were interested in music at a very young age. Rob and Jim (drummer and bass player) have fathers who are professional musicians, and I had a brother who was a guitar player. So I think all three of us were introduced not only to great music, but live music, while we were little kids. We've all been in bands since high school. (Jim and Rob actually played together in high school).

MUSIC NOW: What are your musical influences?
Elder Statesmen They are pretty broad. The cool thing about our band is that Jim and Rob are sort of coming from a different place than I am. Rob and Jim were into bands like Primus, Mr. Bungle (anything Mike Patton related for that matter), Sleepytime Gorilla Museum and Jesus Lizard. I'm coming from more an indie rock/pop side of things- stuff like Stephen Malkmus, Pinback, The Flaming Lips and Guided by Voices. We're all big fans of bands like XTC, The Beatles, Faraquet, Jane's Addiction, etc. The more we play together, the more stuff we are turning each other onto. We're constantly searching for new things to listen to.

But I do think we have sort of our "own" sound because of the blend of influences. Someone told us that we sound like Joe Jackson having Jesus Lizard's baby. I think that's great.

MUSIC NOW: Does anyone in your family play music?
Elder Statesmen Like I said above-Rob's dad is a professional drummer. Jim plays in another band with his dad and his brother. His brother is also our recording engineer and a drummer/percussionist, and a super talented guy in his own rite. My brother plays guitar, but not professionally.

MUSIC NOW: When you are making music, describe how you are feeling?
Elder Statesmen: Joyous, grand, exhilarated, glorious and sometimes tender.

MUSIC NOW: Why did you write or decide to play any of your songs?
Elder Statesmen: That's a tough question. I'd say we do it just because it's fun. We're certainly not in it for the money. After working at a 9-5 job all day (or a long night shift in Rob's case), there is nothing better than getting a room and rocking the f@#k out for three hours! Also, there is a great satisfaction in working on something for a long time, recording it, and shaping into something that was totally different than it started. I think we all really get off on that.

MUSIC NOW: Why did you choose to play this kind of music ?
Elder Statesmen: I'm not sure that was a conscious decision. We just got together and played and that's what came out. We don't try to really go for any particular genre or category or sound. We just play what seems natural.

MUSIC NOW: What do you feel is missing in the music industry today?
Elder Statesmen: Diversity! Watching the Grammys makes me ill. The major labels are cranking out one homogenous band after another. There is enough screamo in this world for a lifetime. I feel very confident that the internet is going to tear it all down.

MUSIC NOW: Do you feel like you are a role model to others?
Elder Statesmen: Not really.

MUSIC NOW: What keeps you going even when times you feel like giving up?
Elder Statesmen: Playing with other guys that are psyched to play. Playing a super high-energy show.

MUSIC NOW: What are some of the big projects you are working on?
Elder Statesmen: We're working on our next CD--we're very excited about the tunes we have so far. We should start recording in June. We've signed a digital distribution deal with a company called inGrooves to distribute our first CD, so we are happy about that as well. MUSIC NOW: Congratulations!!!

MUSIC NOW: What can we expect from you in the next several years?
Elder Statesmen: I would really like for us to go on a more extensive tour. To tour Europe would be awesome. It would be great to get on a smaller label at this point as well, who could distribute and promote our music to a wider audience.

MUSIC NOW: Any new releases, updates, or anything else you would like to tell our audience?
Elder Statesmen: Just keep on eye on the launch of our website (www.elderstatesmen.net) and check our myspace page from time to time, www.myspace.com/elderstatesmen. We should have a new release by next fall!

MUSIC NOW: Thanks for this great Spotlight

Elder Statesmen: Thank you!