It didn’t take long for me to be moved by Megfaun’s Bury The Square, and with the announcement of three upcoming Wisconsin tour dates it’s only logical that my adoration will grow. I caught up with Brad Cook was kind enough to participate in our ongoing 5 Questions with Muzzle of Bees feature.

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

Well, this record was recorded from Jan-April in 2007. It was mostly recorded in the basement of the music school Phil and Joe were teaching at. We would go in late after everyone left for the day and set up in the basement or the attic and just experiment with the three mics that we had. Occasionally we would track parts in our respective houses and we did some tracking at a yoga studio Joe’s fiance runs. It was more or less a lot of messing around and deliberating due to our own inexperience. As far as the future is concerned, we are just staying the course. Hopefully we just keep getting better and more efficient!

We’re always looking to uncover new favorite artists, are there any band(s)/record(s) that you could recommend to our readers?

1. Bill Fox - “Shelter from the Smoke” (Bill used to front the OH 80’s pop group, the Mice. This record is an alarmingly perfect mix of my favorite parts of Westerberg, Big Star and Josh Scott).

2. Harvey Milk (Athens, GA metal group. They sorta broke up ten years ago and then reformed recently. It was the only show I actually made an effort to see at SXSW. They are just powerful and seem completely non self-aware, allowing them a freedom to explore a wider emotional context I haven’t personally found in other “metal” groups. Maybe start with the record “Courtesy and Good Will Towards Men”).

3. Texas Gladden -”Ballad Legacy” (This came out on the Rounder Label and it was recorded by Alan Lomax. She was the sister of the great Virginia multi-instrumentalist, Hobart Smith. Texas sang ballads with the best of them and her voice is devastating).

4. Nick Schillace -”Landscape and People” (This may be cheating cause i co-released this record, but as far as contemporary solo guitarists go, Nick is unreal).

The internet has dramatically altered the way artists 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?

I don’t personally think there is anyway for it to hurt us. We certainly don’t sell enough records to feel the effects of a “loss in sales”, so we just benefit from the networking and accessible promotion. I certainly think it hurts non-niche record stores that don’t exist in major markets and it hurts employees of major labels who are being laid off, but everyone involved in an independently funded record label should be having a holiday. Labels like Merge, Drag City and the SC family might be able to back that statement up. I guess it personally feels that if you don’t define success by money, this is the best time in the history of recorded music to feel involved and have an honest shot at seeking whatever “success” you desire. Though I am sure it will develop into a system sooner or later and then things will go back to being somewhat in-penetrable and stiff. But hey, here’s to the cyclical nature of things!

If you were to play an entire set of someone else’s songs, whose material would you choose and/or enjoy playing the most?

Without hesitation, The Band. I could probably give you the setlist we would perform as well! They are at the heart of Megafaun in more ways than one.

You’re about to undertake a month long tour (including three Wisconsin dates!), is this your largest time on the road and what can fans expect from a Megafaun live show?

We actually did a 10 week tour last fall! We did two tours supporting/performing as Akron/Family and connected their tours with our own. We won’t do that again, cause it is too long to be away at once. Lucky for us we get along unbelievably well and have beautifully supportive wives and fiances. We will be heading south and west for another month in June so it will be broken up by a nice four week break. In terms of what to expect, people can come ready to let go with us. We are extremely personable and sincere. Not the coolest trait in this crazy mixed up cage fight of a business, but it’s what we got! We try to involve people and make sure that everyone is having at least of fraction of the good time and sheer joy that we are experiencing.

5/9 - Venue TBA - Milwaukee,WI
5/11 - Hideout - Chicago,IL
5/12 - Project Lodge - Madison,WI
5/13 - Nucleus - Eau Claire,WI

Myspace: Megafaun

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