19 September 2011

[interview] Yellow Ostrich


Yellow Ostrich is a breath of fresh air. Providing originality in a world of formulaic monotony, the Wisconsin via New York group plays a unique brand of sincere, lo-fi folk. Their exceptional debut album The Mistress is out now on Barsuk records. Art/Official had the pleasure of having a few questions answered by their frontman, Alex Schaaf. The band is playing TONIGHT at The Parish with The Antlers. Read the interview below, and after that watch the band's video for their song "Whale."

What’s the story behind Yellow Ostrich? Where do you come from, how did the band meet, why not Purple Ostrich?

I moved to NYC from Wisconsin about a year ago. Then I got the other two guys to join up, and we've been going strong since then. Purple was already taken.

Your implementation of vocals as accomplishing more than just singing lyrics – i.e. badass vocal layering – is remarkable. How did you arrive at that approach?

Thanks. I did it for The Mistress just as a sort of experiment/exercise, to see if I could use vocals in a more percussive, structural way as compared to harmonies and "prettiness." I think they function in both ways on the album, but I started by working with putting my vocals through a loop pedal and seeing what I came up with.

The drumming in your music is especially noteworthy. I don’t know that I ever heard a standard four on the floor beat or anything like that. What’s the inspiration for it? What are you trying to accomplish with it?

Michael is the drummer now, so I can't speak for the inspiration behind the current drumming; but I think we share most of the same sentiments. In terms of the drumming on The Mistress (which is done by both Michael and I, along with my friend Alex Bunke), I was just looking for something raw and primal, where every element of the beat was essential and effective, and there wasn't a lot of extra stuff around the edges. I think Michael has said something to the effect of "If you're just playing a four on the floor beat, you aren't really playing anything at all", and i definitely agree with that sentiment. If there are going to be drums there, then they should be interesting rather than just standing there and doing what drums are "supposed" to do in a certain situation.

You guys have a knack of doing a lot with a little in your music. What’s your song writing/construction process like? How has it evolved as the band has gained members?

For the Mistress I wrote everything myself, and did most of the recording myself. It was a lot of construction by vocal loop, where I would start the song with some random vocal loop, and build from there. With the full band now, it's become a more collaborative process. I'm still writing the main structure of the songs, with the lyrics/melodies/chords, but then it comes into the room and gets fleshed out in terms of arrangements and it goes to a different place than if it was just me doing it.

I read that you studied at the Wisconsin Conservatory of Music. How much of a classical influence makes it into Yellow Ostrich music?

There's not a whole lot of overt classical influence, since I was never a big classical guy. I wasn't a big jazz guy either, I'm still not sure how i managed to get a degree from a Conservatory, but I'm just into learning about lots of different kinds of music, and hopefully those things seep into my music without thinking about it.

I also read where you recently relocated from Wisconsin to New York – quite a change of scenery. Have you found that move has changed your creative process at all?

It's definitely effected my creative process, but I think that has less to do with the location and more to do with my life now. Before I moved to NY I was in school, and I had lots of time to sit around and write songs and record them. Now I've got a day job and we are starting to tour a lot and we practice all the time, so there's less time in the day to write new stuff. So it's just become a challenge to figure out a new way that I can write, and where I can squeeze it in.

What kind of connection do you seek to make with your listeners/audience?

I don't consciously try and make a connection with anyone, obviously I hope that I do, but it's not really something you can consciously work for. I think the main thing is to just be honest -- people recognize honesty and connect to that, rather than trying to be something you aren't in order to connect with a different group of people.

How does a live show differ from what we hear on the record?

The live show is much bigger and heavier, now that we have three people in the band. It's become a lot less light and poppy like the album, and more crunchy and raw. Which is fun.

What about Morgan Freeman inspired your Morgan Freeman EP?

His Wikipedia page seemed interesting enough; the part about the relationship with the step-granddaughter was really the clincher. When I saw that I knew I had my man.

Have you guys been to New Orleans before?

We played there back in March, I don't even remember where we played. But no one came. So hopefully this will be a better show. I really liked the city though, that was the first time I had ever been there. We went to the French Quarter and did touristy things, hopefully this time we'll have time to see more of the city.

You guys were recently signed to the venerable Barsuk Records. Can you tell us a little bit about how that relationship was forged?

They got into contact very early on, back in December. We waited for a while to make a final decision on a label, but they remained totally enthusiastic throughout, so that was really the clincher.

What's next for Yellow Ostrich?

We'll be touring a lot for the rest of the year, and probably early next year. New stuff is being worked on, hopefully it sees the light of day sometime soon.

15 September 2011

[preview] Young Jesus // Pals // Gold and the Rush @ Café Prytania

first things first, we are extremely sorry about the absurd delay of the new site launch. we are dedicated to delivering the best possible result, and consequently, we have hit a few bumps in the road. But fear not! IT WILL BE UP THIS WEEKEND, WE PROMISE. fresh, original content coming your way asap! onto the show preview...


YOUNG JESUS
With roots in Chicago and New Orleans, Young Jesus is starting to turn a few heads. Their bold brand of reverby brood rock n roll delivers. Heartfelt lyrics, engaging song structure, and strong instrumentation characterize their music. There's a sense of urgency within Young Jesus that begs multiple listens. Influenced by The National, The Hold Steady, Titus Andronicus, and others. 

Stream their EP Young, Innocent, and Hairy below, and download it for free at www.whoisyoungjesus.com



PALS
New Orleans based indie beach folk. 

GOLD AND THE RUSH
This is only Gold and the Rush's second show ever, but from hearing them, you'd never guess it. The four piece plays tight and rollicking alt-country. Pulling members from LA, Dallas, Memphis, and DC, G&TR takes a spectrum of experience and influence and constructs it into a well-oiled, dusty machine. Jake McGregor (formerly of Coyotes) fronts a talented band with a bright future. 




02 September 2011

art/official presents: A SKETCHY PARTY! (in the Bywater)


We are back, and better than ever! ARTOFCL.COM is about to relaunch with a layout optimized for brining New Orleans the best and most up to date content on everything New Orleans. To celebrate we are throwing our first monthly dance party at our new home SIBERIA (2227 St. Claude).

If you haven't been before, it's right across the street from The Allways Longue, right by the Hi-Ho.

This one is bound to be a sloppy mess (per usual). Bring your best dancing shoes, and craziest costumes. 

As always we will be playing the best in indie-dance to disco, hip-hop to pop!

The dance party starts around 11pm, but get there early to check out the early evening live sets by:

GIANT CLOUD
THE HAWKS
and ASTORIAN STIGMATA

$5 on the door. 18+


Keep an eye out for the new site soon! See you at the party or else we'll have that lady from the flyer hunt you down.


---Your friends from art/official


RSVP Herehttp://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=169037899841356


$$$ Email us at artofcl@gmail.com if you wanna free ticket! $$$

28 August 2011

Blessed Wrongly Accused


I am still here; I am not what they say.
Threadbare bars make for easy escape.
And so begins the dash at daybreak.
Less said for structure, more for my own integrity,
as well as Sara's sake.

This plan unknown is unfurling into time.
Run faster man, distance this town's bell,
its gaudy chimes. Run for Sara.

God has no time,
for only one, not the other,
is on my side.

What follows me is not an army of cherubs,
but a posse of full-grown ignorance.
Run for Sara.

It is sinful to be an animal like this;
I am the fastest man living.
The trees look at me without faces. I read them:
"You are arriving."

The forest floor is damp quiet with leaves,
& this forest air is abreast to a stench
that I do not wish to breath.
I want the ocean's.
I run for Sara.

Night falls without pause
as pines whisper behind my back
that I've gone nowhere.
Clothes left long ago say otherwise,
as I fly, naked, stark bare.
I run for Sara.

But I am a man-- bone, blood, & flesh.
I have my limits
pushed into the margins.
A godling; anything?
"I run for Sara."
The call is heard.
There is a washing, a light, power either returned or remained.
I run still for Sara.
I've reached the coast.
I've reached what I love most.
I ran for Sara.


27 August 2011

New Purity Ring track

Short and sweet, new Purity Ring track. This group has an ability to consecutively blow me away, sparsely releasing a track every few months, titillating the expectations of fans so perfectly that I couldn't have it any other way. Catch them live in the next few months with Com Truise in the USA. New track below entitled "Belispeak". Fuck. Yes.




24 August 2011

21 August 2011

[video] Big History - WARDRUM

Check out this incredible stop motion video by Big History for their first single "WARDRUM." Truly amazing!



Lots of love,
Aaron

XXX