Could you lend some information on the recording process of Big Star? Where and how was it recorded, and were there any lessons learned that you’ll apply towards future recording sessions?
Well we started recording last summer at the Terrarium in Minneapolis on the 4th of July. We laid all of the basic tracks (guitar, rhodes, drums, bass) on tape and did the rest with pro tools. I had a great time recording there with Dusty Miller and Jason Orris. We partied a lot and kept it pretty relaxed. The rest of the overdubs and the song Big Star were recorded later in August at Paul Marino’s basement studio in Northfield. Maybe I won’t smoke as many cigarettes during the next record… but other than that, I think it made me stronger in the studio and a little better with figuring out the direction of things as they go along. When you have great artists working with you, like Mike Micheals, Dave King, Luke Anderson, and Chris Morrissey, the whole process seems to fall into place.
We’re always looking to uncover new favorite artists, are there any band(s)/record(s) that you could recommend to our readers?
Hmm, I haven’t been very good at listening for ‘new artists’… I like that track on Santogold’s record called “i’m a lady”… Lately I’ve been digging on the new Dosh record, Laurie Anderson’s “big science”, and Neil Young’s “zuma”… I’m also a big CCR in the summertime gal.
What was the last concert you went to see as a fan?
I saw Devotchka a couple of months ago at First Avenue – it was fantastic. I didn’t really ever get into their recordings much, though I liked some of their songs, but the live show was a whole other story… For the encore they had two ribbon trapeze artists in sequins over the crowd – incredible!
How did the tour with Hayden go?
It was better than I imagined. We had so much fun. Hayden had the band Cuff the Duke out with him (on his label) as the backing band, and they are all great players and even better people. We definitely made friends and enjoyed all of the shows immensely. The crowds were receptive and we sold lots of records, which I doubted happening as I thought nobody bought them anymore!!!
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?
That is very true. I think that the internet world for musicians was at first a smoking gun- everyone thought it was going to destroy the industry as it stood. But I think that the industry needed a change, some sort of people’s revolution to help out unsigned bands in getting their music heard. Myspace terrified me at first, but now that I realize that’s the way I go to check out a band, too! It’s accessible and a great way to find new contacts and such. Blogs are weird to me, I haven’t tapped into that scene yet, but I appreciate that they’re there. When I was in high school all the kids put out ‘zines’ to get their thoughts/poetry/reviews of bands they liked out there. People either gave them away or charged a buck. So I guess I liken blogs to zines, minus the paper. I guess I still believe in buying albums, and I don’t think I’m alone on that. It may be a thing of the past in a few years, but that’s the way the world works. One form fades and another takes over; there’s nothing we can really do about it. But art never fades, and people always want to listen. So in that sense, I don’t think it can really ‘hurt’ anybody.
Myspace: Haley Bonar
MP3: Haley Bonar – “Something Great”
Find MP3’s at The Hype Machine or buy stuff from Strictly Discs | eMusic
Man, she is as elegant and humble in interviews as she is on stage. Thanks for giving us a little insight into her world!