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The days are getting longer, the nights are getting shorter and sweeter, and that, my little vixens, can only mean one thing: it's getting close to being almost time for the one and only SXSW. And of course, that means I had to ask some questions of the bands I'd sure want to see if I was heading down to Austin for the 25th annual SXSW-stravaganza.
By now, you know These United States to be one of, and quite very probably my absolute favoritest thereof, DC bands (and definitely my favorite DC/Lexington, KY band!). These timeless troubadorian souls are once more taking their beautiful country-fried folksy romper stomper sound to Austin, where sonic triumphs shall certainly transpire. Especially if there's a sunset involved. Below, J. Tom Hnatow takes some time to talk turkey with yours truly.
Les Enfants Terribles: How are you getting to SXSW: plane, train, or automobile?
J. Tom Hnatow: We will be arriving via Evangelina 2, our 2001 Ford e350 XLT. She's a 15 passenger beast with a raised roof and a cage in the back. Holds us, our gear, and our personal stuff comfortably. Once we arrive in Austin, I hope to do most of my motorvation on my new, as yet unnamed, collapsible bike.
LET: Inevitably, you will forget to pack:
JTH: I've been doing this long enough that at this point, I truly hope I have all the essentials, namely: Good walking shoes, sunglasses, sunscreen, and a good hat.
LET: How many showcases/parties will you be playing?
JTH: At the moment, we're playing 5 day parties, 1 official showcase, and 1 "secret" show that we'll happily tell you about if you ask us.
LET: Band you're most looking forward to seeing at the festival?
JTH: We have a lot of shows and will only be around the fest for a few days, so it'll be really hard to get out and see bands. On the positive side, just about every band on every show that we're playing is pretty awesome, so I'm excited to finish playing and get to watch. Plus, with so many bands, I always discover someone that I've never heard of before.
LET: What's the first thing you plan on doing upon arrival in Austin?
JTH: Heading to Torchy's Tacos and chowing down.
LET: What was the first festival you ever attended, either as a musician or member of the general public?
JTH: Bethlehem, PA, not far from where I'm from, has a cool festival called Musikfest every year. My first festival memory is sitting on a lawn under the stars, probably only a few years old, eating a picnic dinner, listening to Don McLean play "American Pie.”
LET: Favorite thing about festivals?
JTH: Our band is somewhat split on this, but personally, I LOVE festivals so much better than rock clubs. The downside is that it’s usually a huge rush on and off stage, no soundcheck, and you're usually soaked through with sweat just from carrying your gear. On the positive side, I love finishing and then getting to wander around, see other bands, run into old friends, and just take in the experience. We've also played a few sets just as the sun is setting, and that is an absolutely magical experience.
mp3: Water & Wheat (These United States from What Lasts)
Why I Decree it to Be So:
Long has These United States reigned at the top of the DC heap in my book, and with latest endeavor What Lasts, they show no signs of relinquishing their collective hold on my affections. Troudadourian bandleader Jesse Elliott drew inspiration from a brush with death, and the band recovered from a stolen laptop to create another fine, folksy twangle jangle, with understandably somber undertones. "There is no justice," sings Elliott in "Just This," "just this occasional grace," and What Lasts is definitely some of that occasional grace. Yet another part of the must-have These United States ouevre.
As music bloggers, Chris and I both have quite a few folks that come to us seeking musical guidance. Now, I can't speak for Chris, but whenever I get asked for recommendations, I tend to draw a blank. Naturally, I remember a whole host of bands I just know people would love hours after they've asked me. It's a gift to have such a horrible memory, I know. So then, it seemed somehow necessary to begin to offer up mixes for my friends, mixes for those who have both asked for my wisdom and those who need my help, whether they know it or not.
First up: my super awesome friend James, who actually inspired this whole concept. James is no stranger to good music, being in a band down there in Richmond himself (which you should probably check out). Over the years that we've known each other, James has often boosted my ego by coming to me for bands to listen to. Naturally, I'm always more than happy to oblige. However, now, instead of having to get back to him with erratic texts at random hours, I present him with a mix. So James, darlin', this one's for you.
mp3: Daydream (Beach Fossils from Beach Fossils)
mp3: Don't Know Why (You Stay) (The Essex Green from Cannibal Sea)
mp3: The Great River (These United States from What Lasts)
mp3: Knots (Pete & The Pirates from Little Death)
mp3: If You Don't Want Me To Destroy You (Super Furry Animals from Fuzzy Logic)
mp3: Night Might (The Strange Boys from Be Brave)
mp3: Tow The Line (Thieving Irons from This Midnight Hum)
mp3: Big Black Sky (Sunking! from Dreamy Of The Sunchildren)
mp3: Us Vs Them (Common Prayer from There Is A Mountain)
mp3: Young And Dumb (Neverever from Angelic Swells)
mp3: Doors (Ice Black Birds from As Birds We'd Be Fine)
mp3: All Y'all (Gringo Star from All Y'all)
What do near-death experiences, a stolen laptop, and the Keystone State have in common? The answer, friends, is the latest These United States album, heretofore known as What Lasts. The fourth TUS record (recorded in Pennsylvania, after singer Jesse Elliott’s near-drowning, the poor boy also having had his laptop stolen) is, as I’ve come to expect and look forward to from this band, a triumph. Running through the record for the first time, I awaited the start of each song with baited breath weighted down with heavy anticipation, because as you all know, TUS is most assuredly one of LET’s most pet of pet bands. And once more, they’ve proven their worth as one of the most relevant, most important bands of our time.
Turning another page in the goodness gracious great story that is the tall, tall These United States tale, Jesse Elliott and the fantastic four (aka Robby, Justin, Colin, and Tom) that have become permanent fellows of TUS exhibit nothing short of master class on What Lasts. The record itself feels more intimate, more personal than has any TUS record before it. At times it’s even rather stone cold sobering, the more winsome musical follies of, say, Crimes, a distant memory down a dusty road in the rearview mirror. What lies ahead is the wide open, big sky country sound of maturation, the sound of melancholy, and the sound of serious contemplative introspection.
But lest you think These United States has left the good jangle behind them, fret not. Songs like the splendid “The Great River” and “Water & Wheat” proudly fly that old faithful TUS jingle pop folk banner. It must be said that the bulk of What Lasts is indeed on the more serious side of the coin, though, which while initially disquieting becomes more and more appealing as the record goes on. “Life&Death She&I” is cause for both sadness and joy, regarding the subject matter and 70s-esque feel to the beat with that foxy steel, respectively. Title track “What Lasts” is music to mope to, with the haunting, shimmery steel and Elliott’s voice taking on particularly plaintive emotional tones. They often seem to tread water that greats like The Band might approve of, and that I most certainly do.
Sure, it’s the most serious These United States record to date. It made me furrow my brow just a touch. But What Lasts is a tremendously fantastic record. And hell, I’m still waiting for Jesse to put a foot wrong when it comes to his lyrics. He once more shows the kids how to write a record full of amazing songs. They’ve come such a very long way from the gate to the garden of Eden. And yet, perhaps they’ve just come full circle. When it comes to These United States, only the old devil moon really knows. And that’s the way it ought to be.
mp3: The Great River (These United States from What Lasts)
