Interviews -Cursive-

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Gretta joined the band on the cello from the 5-song EP "BURST AND BLOOM". What made you decide to add this instrument, which is unconventional for rock bands?

Tim：We really needed a new timbre to work with - to help us reinvent the sound. Cello seemed a perfect compliment to what was already very moody, dramatic music.

The first song on the EP "Sink to the Beat" starts in a rap-style. Was this because you were influenced by hip-hop? What made you write the lyrics: "They got a good fan base,they got integrity,they've got a D.C.sound, Shudder to Think, Fugazi and Chapel Hill around the early 90's. This is the latest from Saddle Creek～" ?

Tim： It is dangerous to be so honest as to cite your own influences, so that's why I did it. I've found the more honest you can be in music, the more innovative it can be - most writers are scared off from such honesty portrayals of themselves. This is also why much of the lyrics are self-deflating - quite honestly most of us don't have very positive images of ourselves.

You next released "EIGHT TEETH TO EAT YOU", a split album with Eastern Youth. How did this come about, and how do you feel about Eastern Youth?

Tim：I think Eastern Youth write great music, and I truly respect them for singing in Japanese. That shows great integrity in their culture, especially in the English dominated world of the music industry. They have a great interpretation of music - it is very "East meets West", with influences both from the D.C. scene and Japanese scales - possibly even Japanese folk (though I'm not familiar with the genre). We wanted to do a split release with them because we were proud to help introduce them to American listeners.

The cello arrangement on the split album sounds more bold and effective than on "BURST AND BLOOM". How do you look back on those 4 songs?

Tim：These were the first songs we released where we had actually written songs with cello in mind, so the cello parts are arranged much clearer then they were on "Burst and Bloom".

You had planned to tour in 2002 with Eastern Youth after the release of the split album but it was cancelled due to your sudden illness and operation. Despite that, the latest album "THE UGLY ORGAN", released the following March, was full of energy. Do you think that your experience with the illness had an effect on this album? Do you feel a interrelation between overcoming a hardship in your life and producing an excellent album?

Tim：I'm sure they can be interrelated but in this case I don't think they are. Most of the album was finished before I went into surgery, so the ideas were already there. I also don't think I could've bounced back so quickly on an emotional level to have worked on an album - so it was a good thing that most of it was already out of the way.

As the title suggests there are a lot of organ sounds in "THE UGLY ORGAN". Did you have this arrangement first, and then came up the album title and cover? Why the distinctive organ sound, and not the usual keyboards?

Tim：We wrote the organ parts into the music after coming up with the title. We wanted to have the same signature, odd organ for all the parts we wrote - I don't think a keyboard would've been appropriate.

The US independent music scene seems to be getting more active these days. As a band working in that environment, do you feel that the scene is being revitalized? What are your feelings on the current indie music scene?

Tim：I am the wrong person to ask - I am much more interested in Beyonce and Mya right now (ha ha), though I don't actually buy their records. I am a big fan of Saddle Creek bands (of course), and I'm sure there is plenty of good music happening at the moment.

Besides Bright Eyes and Eastern Youth, are there any other bands you relate to? I hear you are going to tour with Blood Brothers. How do you see bands like Blood Brothers and Mars Volta who are trying to get into the major field?

Tim：Hmm... I forgot about those bands - we are all big fans of Blood Brothers and Mars Volta have a good record out... I don't really care if bands move to majors - I just hope it's for good reasons. And if they are friends of mine, then I hope they get treated well.

A re-scheduled US tour with Eastern Youth is planned for September, and you are finally coming to Japan in October. What kind of tour do you expect this to be?

Tim：Oh... we don't expect anything, really. We are all ecstatic about visiting Japan, watching Eastern Youth play, and getting a chance to play in front of new audiences. If all that happens this time, then it will be considered a huge success.

What have you been listening to recently? What is your latest favorite band?

Tim：It doesn't have to be a new band. I was introduced to a band called The Slits the other day - it's really good music.

Lastly, please give a message to the Japanese listeners who are looking forward to seeing you.

Tim：Shit - I don't really know what I'm supposed to say, hopefully we can hang out with everyone in Japan and have a few drinks.

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