A Gentlemanly Conversation with the Spring Standards

Even before Steve forced me at gunpoint to join the blog staff I’ve wanted to interview these guys.  I got to see them perform, and they put on an all around good show.  If you want a bit more of an introduction you’ll have to read my previous post on them because, I’m sorry, but I’m just itching to get onto the interview! 

First off do you guys want to talk about new album?

Yellow//gold listening instructions:

1.) find the perfect listening location. A field at sunset, a tricked out car with neon glow lights, a pillow fort, etc.

2.) put yellow on your vinyl/cd/iPod.

3.) dry your self off from your dramatic 'running-through-the-rain-while-weeping-lap'.

4.) stretch, get some coffee or water.

5.) change into leather pants and put on your Elton John sun glasses. 

6.) put on the gold ep.

7.) take off work for the next few days and start your memoirs.

I mean. You don't HAVE to do it this way... But it is recommended.

Are these new songs a major departure from your previous material, in your opinion?

I think that people might say that our sound has evolved. And though we're challenging ourselves, our outlook on writing is still the same. We write what we write and don't think too hard about what style or genre the music might be. So if you come to a live show, you'd notice a few different 'styles' but they always come from an honest place. So though the sounds of the songs might be different than what we've recorded before, i would say that the mentality of the writing is still the same.  

“Would Things Be Different” brought a few new instruments into the mix.  Do you guys have any of that in the new album?

Yeah all sorts of new stuff. We got the chance to mess around in a studio with all sorts of synths and weird toys. It was super fun, whatever we could get our hands on, we used. So in that sense, there are all sorts of new instruments in the mix.

What made you guys choose Dan Molad to produce the album?

His good looks mostly. But other than that we love what he's doing with music these days. He's talented, a good friend and we completely trust and respect his process and how comfortable he makes us feel in that setting.  Check out his other projects by searching 'sounds like a fire studios'.

I’ve always been interested in your creative process, since you guys are three multi-instrumentalists, and songwriters.  How do you guys normally go about writing songs?

For the most part each song is written by a solo songwriter. The arranging process is where we all come together and rip the things apart, add stuff, rearrange sections and just shoot ideas back and forth.

Is there someone you guys feel like you draw from the most?

We all have very similar tastes that overlap, but also incredibly different inspirations that we draw from. But as far as influences that I know we can all agree on... There are at ton.  CSNY, Dylan, the Beatles, Wilco, The White Stripes, The Stones and all sorts of others.

What do you think the biggest change you guys have undergone since “Would Things Be Different?”

Other than getting abducted by aliens and being replaced by obviously fake robots? Can't think of anything.  No, I jest. We make great robots. 

You guys just did a taping with the Tallest Man on Earth right?  What was that like?

Crazy fun. Getting to watch The Tallest Man on Earth was amazing. Its rare to see one person and a guitar capture the attention of a crowd as intensely as he was able to. He was absolutely fantastic. Also, taping a radio show is always good fun in general, so the whole thing was great fun.

Do you guys perform with just the three of you on stage still, or do you guys have other people join you now?

When we tour we have another musician, Noah Goldman, who is a great multi instrumentalist. He takes over sounds when we run out of limbs to play them. 

With all the shows you guys do is there someone you got to perform with that really made you stop and go “WOW!”?

The Tallest Man on Earth. Gotta say. 

Do you guys have a favorite song to play on stage?

It changes from night to night. If we're in a church with amazing natural acoustics a song like 'Crushing Pennies' is a dream to sing. But if we're in a dingy rock club, 'Here We Go' or 'Watch the Moon Disappear' are a grand old time.  So it really changes from show to show. 

You guys just played Conan.  What was that like?

Quick. All of a sudden we were on. Then we were done. It was wild.  Also so much fun to get to be on the same show as our friend Aubrey Plaza who we've known since high school. So it was an all around whirl wind…all around whirl wind all around whirl wind all around whirl wind.

            Very cool stuff!  Hopefully this won’t be the last we at the blog get to hear from this tenacious trio.  You can visit the Spring Standard’s website to get all the music, apparel and show dates your brain can handle, and even some more.  Their new double ep Yellow//Gold is on the shelf and online for purchase.  I’ll leave you guys with one of the tracks from the new release: Only Skin.

You can follow the blog on the facebook, and check out our talk with Elle Odessa and Kursed