The Heartless Bastards ready the release of The Mountain on January 20th of next year via Fat Possum Records. The band returns to Madison along with MoB favorite AA Bondy on Saturday, November 15th at the High Noon Saloon. I caught up with Erika Wennerstrom after ACL for our continuing 5 Questions with Muzzle of Bees feature.

How was your Austin City Limits experience? Did you have the opportunity to check out any of the artists playing?

We all had a great time. I think it was unanimous with band and crew that Spiritualized was amazing.

How is the new album coming along? What can we expect from it and when will it be released?

The new album is all finished. It has some banjo, mandolin, violin, and pedal steel. I think the extra instrumentation really helps set the songs apart from one another.

Do you have any recent music related purchases (albums, equipment, etc) that you’re excited about or care to share?

I just saw Wire in Cambridge MA, and bought Read and Burn. I think it’s great when a band’s been around that long and still produces great work.

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 think the internet has been great for reaching audiences. I have to say I’ve grown a bit numb to some of it. After you get a whole lot of requests from terrible bands on myspace i just quit listening.

Are you still calling Cincinnati home? Can you give me some local recommendations of things to do or see while in and around the city?

It’ll always be home. I just might not be living there. I’m leaving everything up in the air right now. The art museums are good. Northside Tavern and The Comet are great places

Myspace: The Heartless Bastards

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