[Text by Kathryn Andryshak] The always arousing folk-rock band The Decemberists will return to Ithaca this Sunday, Nov. 9 as part of their Bridesmaid Revisited Tour 2008. This is just one stop on the band’s national tour to support the release of Always the Bridesmaid: A Singles Series.
Always the Bridesmaid: A Single Series is comprised of three volumes, each containing two singles. Volume I, Valerie Plame/O New England and Volume II, Days of Elaine/I’m Sticking With You dropped on Oct. 14 and Nov. 4, respectively. Volume III, Record Year/Raincoat Song will be released on Dec. 2. The series is available digitally at DSPs, released by Capital Records and on 12″ vinyl via The Decemberists‘ own label, Y.A.B.B. Records/Jealous Butcher Records.
Noted for their compelling lyrical storytelling, energetic instrumentation and playful stage theatrics, The Decemberists self-released their debut EP, 5 Songs, in 2001, and since have put forth four full-length albums, including 2006’s acclaimed The Crane Wife.
Having last graced Cornell with an intimate show in 2004, the band should expect larger crowds upon this visit. The Decemberists‘ bassist, Nate Query spoke to the Ithaca Times to discuss the tour, the singles and the band’s next full-length album. Unfortunately, Query confirmed that the giant whale that appeared in encores of previous Decemberists shows will not reprise its role on this tour. However, concertgoers can expect to enjoy the band’s new singles, as well as selections from their eclectic repertoire. Hopefully, The Decemberists will throw a few wonderful surprises our way.
Popcorn Youth: The last time you came to Cornell, you played to a few hundred concert goers. Any preference for the venues you play?
Nate Query: There benefits to both extremes. It’s really fun to play intimate shows, but it’s fun to play big shows, too. It’s a funny transition - as the band grows and shows grow, you have to learn to interact differently with the crowd.
Popcorn Youth: The Decemberists put on one heck of a show. When do you have most fun on stage?
Query: Well, I’m accused of not looking like I do. I guess I’m just kind of this stoic bass player guy.
Popcorn Youth: Many bands decided to venture on pre-election tours. What’s the thought behind touring right after the election? Will the outcome affect the spirit of the tour?
Query: Definitely. We’re all pretty fired up about Obama. The tour was not planned to be timed with the election. If he wins, it works out great.
Popcorn Youth: And if it goes the other way?
Query: Eh. We don’t want to think about that.
Popcorn Youth: What was the inspiration behind Always the Bridesmaid: A Single Series?
Query: Colin [Meloy] had a bunch of songs kicking around that we thought would be fun to record, but would not be on the next record. So, if we didn’t record them, they would be orphans. It seemed like doing a single series would be fun - so would getting ourselves out on tour again.
Popcorn Youth: Are the songs really meant to function as singles or will fans find cohesion upon the release of the last songs?
Query: We approached all the songs pretty differently and really did just take it as a collection of singles. It was also really fun to make. It took about two, maybe three weeks to make last March, right before Colin’s solo tour.
Popcorn Youth: According to a press release, “Valerie Plame,” one of your first two singles, is “an amorous tribute to the onetime CIA operative…written from the point-of-view of one of Plame’s inside contacts upon discovering her true identity.” The single seems like a departure from the band’s old shanties and the epic quality of The Crane Wife.
Query: Yeah, the Valerie Plame thing - it’s really a musical sounding name. The song’s quirky. People might expect this serious sounding song to accompany the name.
Popcorn Youth: You have your fifth album due out this spring. In an interview with Pastemagazine.com, lead singer Colin Meloy talked about Hazards of Love, describing it as “mossy and evil.”
Query: Each record is an opportunity to explore new things. We’ve done it with this record to the extreme. From start to finish, it follows one storyline. It’s riffy - heavy guitar stuff. More aggressive maybe?
Popcorn Youth: Thank you very much, Nate. Now, on a more personal note, I’d like to know whether you’d rather be followed around by butterflies or witness the birth of a unicorn?
Query: [Laughs] Um - do the butterflies follow me all the time?
Popcorn Youth: Yes.
Query: How close are they?
Popcorn Youth: Following right behind your head.
Query: I guess I’ll have to go with the unicorn.
Popcorn Youth: You don’t want to sustain the magic?
Query: [Laughs] The butterflies might get annoying.
The Decemberists will perform this Sunday, Nov. 9 at Cornell’s Barton Hall with The Walkmen and Loch Lomond. Doors open at 6pm.