Your third album is out. What are you feeling about it? How is the feedback so far?
It is by far the best feedback we have received about an album.
How and when did you start with the band? I often read that you are the head of the band. Do your members constellation often change?
It is true that I am the only one who has always been in the band. I don't think that it necessarily makes me the head of the band however. I can't play piano the way that Chris can so I can't be the head of the piano department. I don't have the same interest in learning computer programs like Marshall so I can't be the head of the art department. But I guess unlike the others I have a general take on everything that happens in the band. But creatively I rarely try to enforce my will. I respect the others in the band. If I REALLY don't like what they are playing or they REALLY don't like what I want them to play we probably won't end up playing that particular song. So yes, there are some ways in which things center around me, but not always. I do not want to be the dictator in any band but I am also aware that I think about the band the most.
What are your musical roots? Which bands had and have still influence on you?
I will always love Fugazi, Woody Guthrie, Robert Smith and PJ Harvey. They all have indelible links in my mind. I also remember specific songs from growing up that would come on the radio and really catch my imagination. "My Best Friends Girlfriend" by the Cars, "Playing with the Queen Of Hearts" by Juice Newton, "Nobody's Gonna Break My Stride". I remember those on the radio. I even remember being really interested in Neil Diamond, he was so dramatic, "Never Tear Us Apart" by INXS, but the first song that really, really, really made my mind explode was "Ana Ng" by They Might Be Giants. I saw that video on at 2am and it looked and sounded as though it was made by aliens. I loved it. I held my breath. I also had a similar reaction to "Wild, Wild, Life" by Talking Heads.
You had this band called EULCID. I saw some videos and I really like it. What do you think about it when you look back at the time?
I think that it was a very special time for me. I was touring America relentlessly for the first few times. We played shows with bands I love like Cave In, Isis, Sinaloa, Orchid, Ire, At the Drive In, and seemingly every band you can think of from that era. We even had our last shows with Fugazi! Being in that van ALL the time and touring was something that made me feel free like I could do whatever I wanted to do. If I felt like booking an entire U.S. tour I would just start picking up the phone and calling people, then I would say... "Hey, I know you are in Chicago, but do you know anyone in Milwaukee". That is how things went and I still keep that with me. I feel as though if I want to do something then I will begin the process myself. I am also very lucky that The Wind Blew All the Fires Out has endured so well as an album. People still note it as a favorite after all this time.
You already toured germany with NIS. What do you think about the german music scene?
I don't feel as though I have really got to know the German music scene the way I would like too. Maybe on this tour it will finally happen. I think we are more linked to Berlin this time than before. We also did play some smaller towns on the last tour. I really enjoyed that. Playing smaller towns is my favorite.
Do you like a special german band?
Neu! speaks to me.
Somehow Disappearing is one of my fav records at the moment. What if I say, compare your new album with the ones before. What changed?
This is a studio album in the sense that we recorded it track by track, instrument by instrument. We made it with someone who is a real producer. Andy LeMaster was on our wave length from the beginning. From the second I met him I felt like we were very close. We wanted to create sonic space and have the instruments create a song by their combination. The World Is Bright and Lonely was a collection of songs. Andrew Schneider is an equally amazing producer, but it was a different kind of album. He didn't have a chance to be as much of a producer in the same way because of the process we used. We recorded it in a very arrogant way. All the instruments live as well as the singing, everyone in one room. In fact some of the band had never met each other before the first day of recording. I had never met the drummer. We were done tracking in four days. It was a very arrogant way to make an album. I wish that we had made it fewer songs... it was too long. To arrogant... ha.
But pretty awesome though! My favorite song on the album is Thorns… Do you have one?
Usually Halluminations or Disappearing. Halluminations is as close to sounding in the recording how it sounded in my head as anything I have ever made. It also has that beautiful harpsichord part on the bridge that Chris wrote the day before he recorded it or something. It seemed to come out of nowhere. I think the song is very original sounding. I like Disappearing because the piano and guitar seem to blend into one which was a goal. I guess Autumn You, and Szep Sziv mean a lot to me.... it changes by the sentence. It wouldn't have been put on the album if it didn't mean something. We cut 8 songs from the album. It is a very sad album to me actually, though it has a deeply romantic theme in it and those two things combined are always hopeful.
You’re gonna come to Europe and Germany soon! What are your expectations?
I think it will be too cold. By the last count I think it was 16 countries! I hope that it is a fun tour and that people are excited to hear the new album. We are putting more effort into this tour than anything we have EVER done. I hope that everyone tells their friends about the album and tour. Word of mouth is still the best part of DIY.
What is the weirdest thing that ever happened to you on tour?
Does breaking a lot of bones on the Autobahn count? I almost drowned in Montana swimming in an underground cave...
Sounds like you would die for music. What is your inspiration for making music? Do you have another passion?
I do not mean this to sound sarcastic, but I don't really have any other interests. I have always just wanted to sing songs. It is the only thing I have ever been interested in.
Could you imagine to play in any other band?
No.
You are part of Translator Audio Studio. When did this studio start and what does it mean to you to produce other bands? (the list of clients is pretty impressive)
Thanks, I helped build the studio over the last 6 years. I had my own studios before that and my friend Steve and I bought some gear to record You Are Awake Or Asleep. I only produce bands that I really like. I cannot do it for the money, otherwise I would end up hating the band and everything about it. I do not have patience to work on music for money. I would rather work at a grocery store or painting a house for money than work on music I don't really like.
What are your plans with NIS?
We are leaving to tour with Minus the Bear and Tim Kasher in a few days. When we get home we will try and finish a few new songs to play on the European tour... and a special surprise or two! Then after Europe I think it will be time for a new recording before we go to Japan for tour.
Which record do you listen to at the moment?
I spent all day today and yesterday listening to Prince.
Thanks pretty much for the interview Mike and have fun on the tour!
Germany Tour Dates:
24.01.11 DE tba
25.01.11 DE tba
26.01.11 Leipzig (DE), Conne Island
27.01.11 Berlin (DE), Schokoladen
28.01.11 Dresden (DE), AZ Conni
19.02.11 Offenbach (DE), Hafen 2 Festival
20.02.11 Würzburg (DE), (option)*
21.02.11 Hamburg (DE), Astra Stube
http://www.newideasociety.com/music
Tracklist Somehow Disappearing (stream and buy!)
- All Alone
- Thorns
- Autumn You
- Strange Language
- Halluminations
- Disappearing
- Summer Lion
- Sing It Right
- Desolation Tongues
- If You Slip Under
- Szép Szív
- Come Outside
