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The Say Hi To Your Mom Interview
Being different isn't easy. Your songs don't conform to
the standard refrain and filler method. You avoid
exploring radio savvy sounding avenues to appease the
labels. And your songs force the listeners to
think - the equivalent of Sarah Silverman's dry but
undeniably catchy wit. That's just what Say Hi To Your
Mom has accomplished over the years. Eric Elbogen's
quirky yet bitingly honest lyrics are now complimented
by his newest additions; Chris Egan and Jeff Sheinkopf
resulting in a much more complete, if not just as fuzzy
of a sound that fans of his solo work have grown to
adore. Penstaos sits down with the band to
discuss the solo-to-trio transition, their music, and
their circus origins.
Pensatos.com: First off, I have to tell you that the new album completely blew us away. The sound keeps maturing and forming into something that just sounds more complete with each release without losing any of the humor and talent along the way. I just wanted to let you guys know that Impeccable Blahs is in constant rotation around here. Enough of the Hallmark rubbish … Impeccable Blahs is an entire album about Vampires – why vampires? How did you come up with the idea?
Eric Elbogen: Why not vampires? I guess I wanted to make
things a little bit more interesting for myself this
time around, to sort of throw in an extra set of rules
to conform to when I was writing the record.
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"As soon as you start guessing how the rest of the world will perceive it, you introduce a self-consciousness that can become a serious wrench in your productivity." |
Since you now have permanent help from Egan and Sheinkopf, are you officially done with the solo/side project idea of Say Hi and ready to have it labeled as a band?
I don’t really think in terms of those things. Everything revolves around the songs on the records, and there are many ways to get those songs arranged, recorded and performed. The other guys were a part of my musical goings-on when we made the record, so they participated in the process. I would like that to continue, but you never know where anyone, including myself, will be with their lives in the future, so
I can’t make any claims. I just take each record and tour as it comes.
How do you see the bands sound now that you’ve evolved from a bedroom solo act into a solid trio? How has it changed your approach to writing and producing the music?
Not really. It was certainly a treat to have others involved with the recording process, because they came up with ideas I wasn’t capable of myself, and I think we came up with a fuller sounding record, but I wrote and produced the record in the same way as the last three.
What has been your experience running a label, touring, and recording all at the same time?
It’s exhausting, but amazing. It sure beats the days I had to work nine to five, I’ll tell you that much. Sometimes it’s hard not having a steady paycheck, but I’ve still got a little room left on my credit cards, so I’ll worry about it when that runs out. (sigh ...)
Your album art is odd. What’s up with the robots?
Um, thanks? Why not robots?
Good point. Your humor is borderline
serious at times and can easily be misconstrued. What
are some of the hurdles you have to overcome when
penning a song and teetering a fine line of self
laughter and sober moments?
I write lyrics and music that I would like to hear
myself. As soon as you start guessing how the rest of
the world will perceive it, you introduce a
self-consciousness that can become a serious wrench in
your productivity. I’m aware that this means people can
misconstrue my intentions, but, I think there are an
equal amount of people who get what I’m doing, so it all
works out in the end.
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"...I wanted to make things a little bit more interesting for myself this time around, to sort of throw in an extra set of rules to conform to when I was writing the record." |
Where does your dry wit humor
derive from?
My time in the circus.
Then where did the band name come
from, the Bearded Lady?
It’s an old Chinese proverb.
How are the tour mishaps coming?
Nothing too exciting on this front. Just your
normal dirty bathrooms, blown tires, psycho stalkers,
shotguns, nukes and bland grits ...
What’s the worst label you’ve heard print mags and
online blogs call your style of music?
Emo
Name one guilty pleasure cd/record you’re ashamed to
admit and listen to.
I don’t listen to music.
What’s next for everyone after the tour?
A three week nap, with the phone turned off ... |
