Land of Talk took the stage at the Annex last night in support of their fantastic album Applause Cheer Boo Hiss. Prior to the show we caught up with Lizzie Powell for an abbreviated version of our 5 Questions with Muzzle of Bees feature where we talk about their album, Bon Iver and a new album in June, 2008!

Could you lend some information on the recording process of Applause Cheer Boo Hiss? Where and how was it recorded, and were there any lessons learned that you’ll apply towards future recording sessions?

We recorded the EP at BreakglassStudios (Jace Lasek of Besnard Lakes) in Montreal Canada. Live off the floor onto tape. no more than 4 takes of each song. It was recorded, mixed , mastered in 5 days max. In February, we recorded the follow up album, but Bucky left the band soon thereafter and so I thought it best to re-do the album plus 3 new songs (since having licensed 3 tracks from the Feb. Sessions to our UK label to release the EP as a full length overseas a week ago.) So we re-recorded album 2 Sept.9th-16th at Petite Eglise in a small town in Quebec. I”ll mix it with Justin Vernon (Bon Iver) in late December and get Harris Newman to Master it (Grey Market Mastering) and we’ll have a new album released by June 2008 latest.

Speaking of Bon Iver, what are your thoughts on For Emma, Forever Ago and all the praise it’s been getting?

The Bon Iver album is a fucking great album. I heard it for the first time while on tour with the Rosebuds this past summer. Justin was playing Guitar in the band and handed me a copy of a non-descript CD-R 4 days into the tour. I listened to it 18 times incessantly (and then track 9, stacks, another 30 times). I became obsessed with his music and finally when we got to Chicago I asked him if he would consider lending his midas touch to Land of Talk’s album. We also did a Christmas track together called “Jeanette Isabella” for a licensing compilation sampler thingy. I’ve never had so much faith in someone handling my songs and music as i do in Mr. Iver. I know he has just signed with JagJaguwar and For Emma, Forever Ago will get it’s due release Feb. 18th with some pretty stellar tours to boot so I’m just happy as many people as possible will have access to his music as soon as possible.

What was the last show you went to see, as a fan? Also, who’s at the top of your list as far as concerts you’d want to see?

The last show i went to see as a fan was Jenny Scheinman’s set at CMJ this year. she’s a stellar fiddler and performer.

Concerts I’d like to see?

Midlake, Spoon, Kimo Pohjonnen, Gillian Welch

The internet has dramatically altered the way bands can reach an audience. With things like blogs/myspace/etc, what are your thoughts on the power of the internet in terms of helping (or hurting) your music?

The only problem i might have with the internet is that it’s created such a comfortable anonymous home for trollers and haters. those people who post negative shit about bands and who are constantly leaving snide, hardly clever comments like it was their job or something. what a legacy. But i think for the most part it’s been an incredible networking tool for a band at our level (not unheard of yet not even remotely well-known)

Myspace: Land of Talk