By: Jamie Steinberg
Photo By Yiyi Wan
Q) You are often described as shoegaze meets Britpop, but how would you describe your sound?
Ross: You could describe the sound as that as shoegaze seems to be the term du jour. It’s kind of funny to us as it was used to slag off bands that were staring at their pedals. We are fond of bands from that era and it’s in our DNA but the vocals in Drag Talk don’t fit that mold. We love a melody that might be where Brit Pop lies.
Q) Who are some of your musical influences?
JT: Some of my favorite singers are Mike Patton, Judee Sill, Elliott Smith, Bonnie “Prince” Billy, Jerry Jeff Walker, Skeeter Davis, David Berman, Scott Weiland, Bjork and Kurt Cobain.
Q) Talk about the story behind your new song “Would It Kill You.”
JT: The story behind “Would It Kill You,” at the risk of being reductive, is about working hard, playing hard and artists who live the songs that they write.
Q) What do you think it is about the song that fans connect to?
JT: I can’t say what it is about the songs that the fans connect to, but I know that what I connect to, as a fan of all kinds of music, is authenticity.
Q) How does the video for the track play into the message behind it?
JT: Stunt men, succeeding and failing miserably, as that’s part of the job description. If you wanna be a good cook you can’t be afraid to get your hands in the food.
Q) What makes “Would It Kill You” the perfect follow up to “Pony Up?”
JT: If you liked the sound of “Pony Up,” as an intentional homage to the 90s rock sound that we all grew up on, you won’t be blindsided by “Would It Kill You,” I suppose.
Q) Your debut album Drink the Ocean is out here in October. What are some themes you’ll be exploring on it?
JT: Death, risk, loss, redemption and reward, Thelema and the Hermetic Qabalah are the esoteric themes but not overt. As analogy, it’s not a whole meal consisting of
garlic, butter and salt, but those elements are used sparingly, and to taste, to give things some flavor. I don’t expect anyone to really even know they are there, as it should be.
Q) What is your song writing process? Do you need music before you can create lyrics?
JT: I don’t need music to write lyrics. I love word play and a good turn of phrase, but it’s also a fun exercise to sit with an instrumental and write from a place of random “vowels from the bowels” of the subconscious. Sometimes I’ll fit the music around the poem, but it’s many times the former method.
Q) How much of a hand do you have in the production of your music?
JT: I am very opinionated about music and production, especially ours, so I am one of several hands (and assholes) with something to say when it comes to our sound. My long time friend and collaborator gets the credit as producer but we never bring him anything that isn’t a few small choices away from being something that makes sense and we are all happy with. He’s 10/10 for knowing the right move or how to tie the room together.
Q) My favorite songs off the album are “Breath and Blood” and “Mr. High Life.” Which of the tracks holds a special place in your heart and what makes it a standout for you?
Ross: Maybe like asking us to choose our favorite child. “Would it Kill You” might be my favorite, as it’s the child that came into this world easily and has been grateful to be here.
Q) What songs off your album are you looking forward to performing live?
JT: I, personally, am looking forward to playing the title track “Drink the Ocean” live because we’ve got a plan to include the hammond organ part that doesn’t involve adding any more people on stage. You’ll have to come see us live to find out what I’m getting at.
Q) What do you hope listeners take away from listening to your upcoming album Drink the Ocean as a whole – either as an emotion or message?
JT: My connection to hoping what the listeners take away from the songs ended when the tracks were mixed and mastered. I wanted to amuse and delight my bandmates and Tom, our producer. If they take something away from the record, that’s wonderful, but as the saying goes “a piece of art is never finished, only abandoned.”
Q) The album comes out here on October 30th. How do you plan to celebrate?
JT: I believe there will be a couple of listening parties around the release. The idea of attending one makes me feel shy and embarrassed, but I don’t think any sane person enjoys listening to the sound of their own voice, recorded.
“I don’t necessarily need to hear it again, Dottie. I lived it.” (to paraphrase Pee-Wee Herman).
Q) You are currently out on tour. What can fans expect from a live Drag Talk performance?
JT: A lot of physicality, joy, some onstage bickering, sweat and a wall of guitars. I do love a bit of scheduled yelling and I’m grateful that people seem to enjoy it as well.
Q) Where are some of your favorite places to perform and what makes those locations so significant to you?
JT: I’ve had the opportunity to play big stages and small, and as fun as it is to play for thousands of people at a time, there’s something so special about being able to see the whites of people’s eyes when playing your songs. I cut my teeth in small hole-in-the-wall venues they feel like home.
Q) Who would you most like to collaborate with on a song in the future?
JT: I would love to, and plan on, collaborating with Lis from the band Filth is Eternal. We just played a short run of shows with them up the West Coast and we were just blown away by the band, her voice and stage presence. A must-see when they come to your town.
Q) What artist/musician are you currently listening to and why do you dig them?
JT: I generally don’t listen to music for pleasure when in the throes of writing an album. Especially nothing modern, as I don’t want to accidentally “write” something that is lodged into the subconscious because of the radio or a curated playlist.
Q) What would you like to say to everyone who is a fan and supporter of you and your work?
JT: I would like to say thank you from the bottom of my cold cold heart, for buying the ticket and taking the ride. I don’t plan to ever stop making records until the day I have nothing to say. And I’ve had opinions and a love for words my whole life, so I don’t see that stopping any time soon.
Watch The Video For “Kingdoms”