Murder By Death’s latest on Vagrant Records, Red of Tooth and Claw found my Americana/punk vein. They’ll swing through Madison for a stop at The Annex on Friday, August 29th. I caught up with Adam Turla for our continuing 5 Questions with Muzzle of Bees feature.

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

It was recorded at Dark House Studios in Franklin, Tennessee in a mansion that looks like a giant birdhouse. We learned that being well rehearsed and having all the songs written completely allows you to blow through the recording and watching the playoffs/world series every night when you’re done recording.

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

The guy supporting our headlining tour in October is called William Elliott Whitmore. He is one of our favorite musicians. he sounds like a 1000 year old man.

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?

More people casually listen to more bands because its free. I think that the internet helps bands that are writing one hit wonders and hurts bands that craft albums meant for in depth listening. In that way I think that it dumbs down culture. that being said, its still pretty awesome to send out a myspace blast about a tour you have, and knowing that 50000 people will get that bulletin.

If you were to cover and entire night’s worth of someone else’s material whose would you choose?

Maybe the Pogues?

We are actually doing a 7″ series where we trade covers with other bands. On the first one that comes out this fall, William Elliott Whitmore covers our song “dynamite mine” and we cover his song “one man’s shame”. We are talking to a bunch of other bands like Lucero, O’Death, and Dresden Dolls and hopefully some of them will work out.

You have a lengthy tour you’re about to undertake. Are you guys able to write while touring or is that something you reserve for time off the road?

We rarely write on tour because i feel like its a mixed interest. occasionally if tour puts me into a mood that is usable for a song, i may attempt to use that for the song.

Myspace: Murder By Death

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