Pensatos Interviews: Band of Horses

The Seattle sound of yesteryear is changing.  While the dynamic atmosphere is returning, the punk is gone in favor of mind numbing textured groups that drive the listener through the lo-fi without forgetting the renaissance of grunge. No band displays this transition better than Band of Horses.  Formed out of the ashes of Carissa’s Weird – a long running group that had a strong following but never (questionably) took off - guitarist & vocalist Ben Bridwell and guitarist Mat Brooke changed their focus with Band of Horses (originally and in some circles still known as just Horses) offering swooping ballads and dream like songs drenched in resonating vocals.

Pensatos sees BoH as a potential explosion on the indie scene.  Recently they taped a performance on Late Night with David Letterman showing the painfully beautiful song 'Funeral' to the world and are wrapping up their summer tour with The Capitol Hill Block Party in Seattle and Pitchfork Music Festival in Chicago at the end of July.

We had a chance to speak with Ben recently about his music.  Below is an excerpt of our conversation:

Pensatos.com: We’ve long since considered ‘Funeral’ as one of the best songs of 2006.  The haunting and sweeping sounds of Matt’s guitar impress a permanent chill of brilliance masked by the underlying sorrow the song produces.  How did ‘Funeral’ come to be? 
Ben Bridwell: I was messing around with guitar tunings and found that tune. I liked it with alot of delay and later penned the words. I never thought that would be the song that stood out so much on the album. I considered not recording it at all.

Pensatos.com: Your style of music is most rewarding to the ears in a live performance.  Do you consider yourself a studio perfectionist or live artist first to hone your sound?
Ben: I'd say both have plenty of room for improvement. I'm excited to record the next album because I feel I learned alot from recording our debut, and even more since then. But live when everything sounds together and good, I don't think anything compares to that feeling.

Pensatos.com: What was it like working with Phil Ek [Built to Spill, The Shins] and how did this come to happen?  How did he change or alter your approach to studio work?  Has this carried over to your live sound as well?
Ben: I can't imagine working with anyone else after seeing what he brings to a project. He busted our balls when we needed it, and encouraged us to make the kind of record he thought we could. The sound he helped us craft on that record has definitely carried over to how we do things live. Even though, we have no idea how to make things sound as good as he does. We try though. 

Pensatos.com: What is the most difficult aspect of long tours?
Ben: Staying away from the wrong kinda girls, or finding the right ones. And the long drives are tough too.

Pensatos.com: Ever have a post sound check bender; that is to say did you play wasted?  What show?  How did that play out?
Ben: Yes in San Francisco for a Filter Magazine/ASCAP party. We drank two bottles of Jameson whiskey before we played and we sounded like shit. I punched the microphone in the face for being my worst enemy. We got another bottle of Jamie after the set and pretended to have a good time.

Pensatos.com: Everyone has roots or six degrees that get them to their current spot: John Lennon was a punk kid who copied his idols and mimicked their works until he found his sound; Neil Young sites Bob Dylan often as aid to his transformation.  And while both of these examples are part of a period of change in rock, they none-the-less were influential turning points in retrospect.  What were you and your band mates turning point(s) that have lead you to where you are today as musicians?  Who were your inspirations?
Ben: When I was in High School I loved Pavement, Archers Of Loaf, Sebadoh, Dinosaur Jr., etc.. I actually discovered punk a bit later once I dropped out (perfect companion). All squeaky voiced singers and deep bassy type singers I adore. Like Neil Young and Wayne Coyne compared to Leonard Cohen and David Berman

Pensatos.com: What is a Dingle [from 'I Lost My Dingle on the Red Line]?
Ben: A Dingle is a smart phone. Dingleberry is a Blackberry.

Penstaos.com: What were some of your first jobs?
Ben: Furniture installation, dishwashing, cooking, bartending, bagging groceries, Olive Garden bus-boy, bicycle delivery of burrito's and pizza, door to door nick nack salesman, and caring for the severely mentally disturbed.

Pensatos.com: As an artist, you are always trying to better your work – discover new avenues that tap unexpected talent and choice sounds.  How difficult was it manifesting a different beast in Horses – then Band of Horses than that of the Carissa’s Weird ashes it spawned from?
Ben: It was only a confidence issue to begin with. Once I became comfortable enough to know that I'm making music that I would like, then it became a bit easier. It's a constant battle though.

Pensatos.com: Your voice has been compared on so many levels; from Jeff Buckley to Jim James.  How did you grow into music and discovering your own sound?
Ben: I guess we'll see. Right now I'm just gonna do what I did before and write what comes naturally. I can't write a song that's not already trying to be written. Fuck what anybody says.

Pensatos.com: With Everything All the Time in the bag what is next after your tour in regards to the follow up?
Ben: Some of the songs are done. Hopefully we'll have a little time off in the winter to get it together. So far all the songs are kinda sad or melancholy sounding. I wish a happy song would try and write itself for crying out loud. Hello?