Interview with Doug Martsch of Built to Spill
Published by Natasha October 8th, 2009 in Music, Interview.
[From the Ithaca Times] In the year 2009, the 1990s are enjoying quite a renaissance. Cult 90s-era bands like Jawbox and the Jesus Lizard are getting the reissue treatment, while Shudder to Think are due to release their first live album in over 15 years. Sonic Youth, Yo La Tengo and Dinosaur Jr. all released three of the best albums of the year, and the Flaming Lips curated this year’s ATP New York music festival. And now Built to Spill, the Pacific Northwest’s venerable indie rock legends, are joining the fun with this week’s release of There is No Enemy, their finest album in years, and one of the best releases of 2009.
Founded by frontman Doug Martsch in 1992, the Boise, Idaho-based band released two seminal albums in the mid-90s, the back-to-back sonic bliss of Perfect From Now On and Keep It Like a Secret, both watershed works for a then-nascent indie rock scene. Today, modern rock powerhouses like Modest Mouse and Death Cab For Cutie enjoy huge commercial success; both are hugely indebted to Built to Spill’s trademark aesthetic — yearning, plaintive vocals and glittering pop melodies that push against its own guitar-based rock parameters.
In the last decade, Built to Spill marched steadily on, releasing two solid offerings — Ancient Melodies of the Future (2001) and You in Reverse (2006) — and headlining prestigious festivals like Pitchfork Music Festival, Siren Music Festival and All Tomorrow’s Parties.
Three and a half years in the making, There is No Enemy, their seventh full-length album and fifth for Warner Bros. Records, is no exception to their even-keeled standard of excellence. There is No Enemy is their most holistic, balanced album in years, delving enthusiastically into sprawling guitar jams and sublimely sweet pop songs alike.
The Ithaca Times recently spoke with Martsch, who remained characteristically modest and cheerful throughout. He talked passionately about his love for reggae, playing live and reinventing his own works.
Popcorn Youth: So, what can we expect for your DJ set after the show?
Doug Martsch: I’m not sure yet — usually I just play whatever I feel like at the time. Usually old soul and reggae music. If people are dancing, I’ll try to play hits. I barely even “DJ.” (Laughs) There’s no mixing. Sometimes there’s dead air. Sometimes our sound guy helps out, and his trademark is to play a song again after it’s already been played earlier in the night. And it’s not on purpose.
Popcorn Youth: Like an encore?
Martsch: More like a rerun. (Laughs) But I have such a finite amount of music, because I’m really kind of picky with the things that I like. You know, for people to dance, for people to really enjoy it, there has to be a familiar number of songs. You can hear “great’ music but if you want people to dance and have a good time, it’s nice to play something that they really love.
Popcorn Youth: Kind of like a wedding DJ.
Martsch: (Laughs) Sure, I play some things that are totally played at weddings, like Motown. Beautiful, great music that transcends it all. Most of that stuff I play are songs I liked growing up.
Popcorn Youth: Is that also the case for reggae?
Martsch: When I was growing up I did not like reggae at all. The only reggae that I dealt with was, like, what white people made. And it was horrible. I grew up on the radio, listening to top 40. It was good when I was a kid, but by the time I was in high school, radio was not good anymore.
I was maybe 30 years old when I finally heard some stuff that really made sense to me, and I started to love it, like Lee Perry or King Tubby. That was kind of how it started, with dub. And then I got into rocksteady and that’s where my heart mostly is, as well as roots reggae — basically 60s and 70s soul music.
Popcorn Youth: The idea that reggae was more than just music, but also a lifestyle that encompasses many things — does that appeal to you, too?
Martsch: Music is always about more than just the “sound’ of it. The context always effects how it hits my ears. I’m not necessarily into Rastafarianism but I appreciate it and how it comes from oppression. I like a lot of the politics in reggae music — [reggae] certainly seems like the most affective music for addressing politics.
I just love the sound of almost all of it. It was recorded really neatly, and with really great players. It’s not like music today. I wouldn’t have stood a chance in Jamaica. I don’t play well enough. (Laughs)
Popcorn Youth: Do your diverse stylistic tastes play a part when you’re songwriting?
Martsch: Yes, definitely. I’m definitely informed by reggae and soul music. It’s a difficult thing to apply… it’s more subtle things. But it finds its way into what I do.
Popcorn Youth: You’re about to embark on a massive tour. Is touring an aspect of being in Built to Spill that has gotten easier?
Martsch: You know, it’s actually pretty good right now. I think that the older I get, the more I am able to appreciate being able to do this, because I never really thought that I would be able to do it. It took me a long time to accept it. I think that I’m alright at what I do, that I’ve managed to convince people that I have something going on. (Laughs)
Popcorn Youth: Talk about an understatement.
Martsch: I mean, I’m definitely really lucky. I’ve always been proud of what I’ve done, but I never thought I would make a living out of it. We tour in a bus, our second tour ever in a bus! Moved up from the van. Living the good life.
Popcorn Youth: Is that upgrade pretty drastic?
Martsch; Oh, yes, with a bus it’s like you can wake up in the town you’re going to play, and then have the whole day. The van is fine, but it’s nonstop busyness. Getting to the van, loading in, soundcheck, finding time to eat something, maybe, checking into the hotel — all of those things can take hours. And then you get up and do it again.
Popcorn Youth: This is your first time touring the new album. At what point did you realize that Built to Spill was predominantly playing these kind of State Theater-esque venues?
Martsch: Well, it’s a mixed bag, you know. One night it could be a beautiful theater, and the next night it’s a giant box of a warehouse that sounds horrible. Sometimes we play pretty small rock clubs that barely have a stage at all, like a punk rock show or something. It differs very widely. That’s a huge part of how we play — we don’t have the same show every night.
Popcorn Youth: So the venue can affect the performance?
Martsch: Sometimes it’s good, and sometimes it’s not; sometimes it depends on the sound and the stage. It can be really tough to work really hard and it still doesn’t sound good. You’re still going through the motions. You still try to keep push it, and it can become like overcompensating, pushing for the sound not to be shitty… I try not to think about it, and just keep working. Sometimes it’s an uphill battle, but if it sounds great, it’s the most wonderful feeling.
Popcorn Youth: How important is audience reaction?
Martsch: You have to be careful with that stuff. There are a lot of times where the crowd won’t seem into it, like they’re not moving around or making noise in between the songs, and I mistake that for not liking it. And that’s almost never the case. Even if we’re playing horribly, there’s still something that someone will get out of it. (Laughs) The crowd is what makes everything fun. Soundchecks are not fun. We want to be done with it! Songs aren’t fun to sing unless you’re in front of people.
Popcorn Youth: Even recording?
Martsch: Recording is not fun. Rehearsing is not fun. Writing songs is fun. Playing for people is fun! I can only speak for myself, of course. (Laughs)
Popcorn Youth: Do you still find room for improvisation in a live setting?
Martsch: That’s something that’s sort of changed for me. To me, we don’t really “jam’ as much as we used to. But within the course of a regular song, I still feel like there’s much more subtle improvising going on, even if it’s the kind of thing where you’re playing the same chords and the same part that you’ve always played, but you give it a little twist. The rhythm is slightly different, or you hit it harder. Subtle things like hitting it just before or just after the beat. That’s the most fun aspect of playing our songs, for sure.
Popcorn Youth: Do you get a sense that a song you wrote is never really finished? That it can always be tinkered or played around with?
Martsch: That’s exactly right. A song is never done. It’s never like, “Gosh, I’m playing this song again.” (Said in bored voice) It’s more like, yes! Here’s this chance to make this song different! To really see what it can do.
Built to Spill will perform at the State Theatre this Thursday, Oct. 8. The show begins at 8pm. The after party will be held at the WildFire Bistro at 11pm.
Terms of service: User agreement,
copyright and privacy policy
Copyright Notice
Ithacatimes.com, Ithaca.com, Fingerlakesnewpapers.com (the Service) is Copyright 2007 Newski Inc., all rights reserved.
The service is provided for your personal use only. Users of the service may not reproduce, republish or redistribute material from the web site in any form without written permission of Newski Inc. or the original copyright holder.
Accessing the Service, in any manner, constitutes use of the Service such that You agree to use the Service in accordance with these Terms of Service. The party accessing the Service is bound by these Terms of Service.
User-provided Content
Copyright on materials contributed to the service is held by the individual creators.
All postings, messages, text, files, images, graphics, photos, audio clips, sounds, video or other materials (the Content) posted on, transmitted through, or linked from the Site, are the sole responsibility of the person from whom such Content originated. You are entirely responsible for all Content that you post, email or otherwise make available through the Site. For all Content provided by you, you agree to indemnify Provider as provided below.
By uploading or otherwise posting any Content on the Site, you represent and warrant: (i) you own or otherwise have all necessary rights, including but not limited to copyrights, to the content you provide and the rights to use it as provided in this Terms of Service; (ii) all information you provide is true, accurate, current and complete, and does not violate these Terms of Service; and, (iii) the content will not cause injury to any person or entity.
License
For all such information and material, you grant the service its affiliates and related entities, and its affiliated newspapers, a royalty-free, perpetual, irrevocable, non-exclusive right and license to use, copy, modify, display, archive, store, distribute, reproduce and create derivative works from such information, in any form, media, software or technology of any kind now existing or developed in the future.
No Pre-Screening or Editing
This is a community Site. As such, there are weblogs, forums, photo galleries and other interactive areas where users can express opinions and share ideas and information. The Service cannot and does not monitor all of the material posted or transmitted to the Site. Additionally, The Service does not control, and is not responsible for, Content made available through the Site by members.
By using the Site, you may be exposed to Content that you may find offensive, indecent, inaccurate, misleading, or otherwise objectionable. You agree that you must evaluate, and bear all risks associated with, the use of the Site and any of its Content, including but not limited to whether you should rely on said Content.
You also agree that under no circumstances will the service or its affiliates be liable in any way for any Content or for any loss or damage of any kind incurred as a result of the use of any Content posted, emailed or otherwise made available via the Site. You acknowledge that Provider does not pre-screen or approve Content, but that ÔThe Service shall have the right (but not the obligation) in its sole discretion to refuse, delete or move any Content that is available via the Site, for violating the letter or spirit of the Terms or for any other reason. The service reserves the right to delete any posting, message or photograph at any time, for any reason or no reason.
Online behavior, posting rules
You agree not to post, email, or otherwise make available Content:
that is unlawful, harmful, threatening, abusive, harassing, defamatory, pornographic, libelous, or invasive of another's privacy, or harms minors in any way;
that harasses, degrades, intimidates or is hateful toward an individual or group of individuals on the basis of religion, gender, sexual orientation, race, ethnicity, age, or disability;
that purports to be from any person or entity, including but not limited to a Provider employee, or falsely states or otherwise misrepresents your affiliation with a person or entity;
that includes personal or identifying information about another person without that person's explicit consent.
that is false, deceptive, misleading, deceitful, mis-informative, or constitutes bait and switch;
that infringes any patent, trademark, trade secret, copyright or other proprietary rights of any party, or Content that you do not have a right to make available under any law or under contractual or fiduciary relationships.
that constitutes or contains affiliate marketing, link referral code, junk mail, spam, chain letters, pyramid schemes, or unsolicited commercial advertisement.
that constitutes or contains any form of advertising or solicitation if (1) posted in areas which are not designated for such purposes; or (2) emailed to Ithacatimes.com , Ithaca.com , fingerlakesnewspapers.com users who have requested not to be contacted about other services, products or commercial interests.
that advertises any illegal services or the sale of any items the sale of which is prohibited or restricted by applicable law, including without limitation items the sale of which is prohibited or regulated by New York State law;
that contains software viruses or any other computer code, files or programs designed to interrupt, destroy or limit the functionality of any computer software or hardware or telecommunications equipment;
that disrupts the normal flow of dialogue with an excessive number of messages (flooding attack) to the Service, or that otherwise negatively affects other users' ability to use the Service; or
that employs misleading email addresses, or forged headers or otherwise manipulated identifiers in order to disguise the origin of Content transmitted through the Service.
Additionally, you agree not to:
contact anyone who has asked not to be contacted;
stalk or otherwise harass anyone;
collect personal data about other users for commercial or unlawful purposes;
use automated means, including scripts, spiders, robots, crawlers, data mining tools, or the like to download data from or upload data to the Service;
post irrelevant Content, repeatedly post the same or similar Content or otherwise impose an unreasonable or disproportionately large load on our infrastructure;
attempt to gain unauthorized access to the serviceÕs computer systems or any other user's computer systems, or engage in any activity that disrupts, diminishes the quality of, interferes with the performance of, or impairs the functionality of, the Service or the serviceÕs websites.
Membership and registration
By registering as a Member of The Service, you warrant that the information you provide to us, including the personally identifying information, is true and accurate. You accept responsibility for all activities that occur under your account or password, and agree not to sell, transfer or assign your Membership or any Membership rights. We reserve the right to terminate your Membership at any time for any reason. You are responsible for maintaining the confidentiality of your password and for restricting access to your computer so others outside your household may not access The service using your name in whole or in part without our permission. If you believe someone has accessed the service using your member name and password without your authorization, e-mail us immediately at webmaster@Ithacatimes.com.
Privacy Policy
The service is committed to protecting consumer privacy online. We believe that greater protection of personal privacy on the Web will not only protect consumers, but also increase consumer confidence and ultimately their participation in online activities. We intend to give you as much control as possible over your personal information.
The purpose of our policy is to inform you about the types of information we gather about you when you visit our site(s), how we may use that information, whether we disclose it to anyone, and the choices you have regarding our use of, and your ability to correct, the information.
Our Site(s) may contain links to other Web sites, including Web sites directed to children. We have no control over the privacy practices or the content of any of our business partners, advertisers, sponsors or other sites to which we provide links from our sites. You should check the applicable privacy policy of the Web site sponsor when linking to other Web sites.
The service strives to offer its visitors the many advantages of Internet technology and to provide an interactive and personalized experience. We may use Personally Identifiable Information (your name, e-mail address, street address, telephone number and other information) subject to the terms of this privacy policy. Please note this policy applies only to information collected by the service and does not impact information collected or used by the service or its affiliates through other means.
How we gather information from users
How we collect and store information depends on the page you are visiting, the activities in which you elect to participate and the services provided. You can visit many pages on our site without providing any information. Other pages may prompt you to provide information, such as when you register for access to portions of our site, sign up for membership, request certain features (e.g., newsletters, news updates and other products) or make a purchase. You may also provide information when you participate in sweepstakes and contests, voting and polling activities, photo galleries, message boards and other interactive areas of our site.
Like most Web sites, the service also collects information automatically and through the use of electronic tools that may be transparent to our visitors. For example, we may log the name of your Internet Service Provider or use cookie technology. Among other things, the cookie may store your user name and password, sparing you from having to re-enter that information each time you visit, or may control the number of times you encounter a particular advertisement while visiting our site. As we adopt additional technology, we may also gather information through other means. In certain cases, you can choose not to provide us with information, for example by setting your browser to refuse to accept cookies, but doing so may inhibit site functionality.
What we do with the information we collect
We will use your information only as permitted by law. Aggregated Information (information that does not personally identify you) may be used in many ways. As one example, we may combine information about your usage patterns with similar information obtained from other users to learn which pages are visited most or what features are most attractive. Aggregated Information may occasionally be shared with our advertisers and business partners, but cannot be used to contact you individually.
We also collect information to enhance your visit and deliver more individualized content and advertising.
We may use Personally Identifiable Information collected on the Service to communicate with you regarding something you have posted, our Terms of Service and privacy policy, products and services offered by the service and other Newski inc. affiliates and partners, administration of sweepstakes and contests, processing e-commerce transactions and other topics we think you might find of interest. We reserve the right to share this information with other Newski Inc. business units and affiliates, including for example our affiliated newspapers
Personally Identifiable Information collected by The service may also be used for other purposes including but not limited to site administration and troubleshooting. Certain third parties who provide technical support for the operation of our site (our Web hosting service and our newsletter provider, for example) may access such information.
As we continue to develop our business, we may sell, buy, merge or partner with other companies or businesses. In such transactions, user information may be among the transferred assets. We may also disclose your information in response to a court order, at other times when we believe we are reasonably required to do so by law, in connection with the collection of amounts you may owe to us, and/or whenever we deem it appropriate or necessary to give such information to law enforcement authorities. Please note we may not provide you with notice prior to disclosure in such cases.
Affiliated sites, linked sites and advertisements
The service expects its partners, advertisers and third-party affiliates to respect the privacy of our users. However, third parties, including our partners, advertisers, affiliates and other content providers accessible through our site, may have their own privacy and data collection policies and practices. For example, during your visit to our site you may link to, or view as part of a frame on a The service page, certain content that is actually created or hosted by a third party. Also, through The service you may be introduced to, or be able to access, information, Web sites, advertisements, features, contests or sweepstakes offered by other parties. The Service is not responsible for the actions or policies of such third parties. You should check the applicable privacy policies of those third parties when providing information on a feature or page operated by a third party.
While on our site, our advertisers, promotional partners or other third parties may use cookies or other technology to attempt to identify some of your preferences or retrieve information about you. For example, some of our advertising may be served by third parties and may include cookies that enable the advertiser to determine whether you have seen a particular advertisement before. Through features available on our site, third parties may use cookies or other technology to gather information. The service does not control the use of this technology or the resulting information and is not responsible for any actions or policies of such third parties.
Please be careful and responsible whenever you are online. Should you choose to voluntarily disclose Personally Identifiable Information in public areas on our site, such as in message boards, chat areas or in advertising or notices you post, that information can be viewed publicly and can be collected and used by third parties without our knowledge and may result in unsolicited messages from other individuals or third parties. Such activities are beyond the control of the Service and this policy.
Children
The service does not knowingly collect or solicit Personally Identifiable Information from or about children under the age of 13 except as permitted by law. If we discover we have received any information from a child under the age of 13 in violation of this policy, we will delete that information immediately. If you believe the Service has any information from or about anyone under the age of 13, please contact us at webmaster@ithacatimes.com. Children under the age of 13 are specifically prohibited from registering as Members of The Service.
By clicking Submit you are agreeing to our terms of service.
0 Responses to “Interview with Doug Martsch of Built to Spill”
Please Wait
Leave a Reply