One of my favorite records of the year was released yesterday. Do yourself a favor and place The Wooden Birds debut record Magnolia on your highly recommended by Muzzle of Bees list. I know you got one. It’s a record that arrives just as the weather is becoming perfect, and, if you’re like me, you’re looking for those go-to records to match sound track the season. This is that kind of record. I’m thrilled and honored to have Andrew Kenny join us today for our continuing 5 Questions with Muzzle of Bees feature.

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

I feel like I should answer this question in reverse somehow. Or at least all at once. The Wooden Birds and the album Magnolia were basically the same thing for the entirety of the recording process. It all began as a recording project and the sound developed one instrument at a time. I recorded 6 of the 12 songs on Magnolia many times over and when I discovered a better bass sound, it was applied to the other five songs. Same for the guitars and even the percussion elements. It was very modular. Is the bass better? Apply to all. Does this mic work better for the percussion? Ok let’s redo it all. Those six songs more or less defined what The Wooden Birds would be about, at least for now.

Once those six songs were polished up, I trashed the recordings and started over again. But this time, I knew all the colors of the crayons in my box. When Chris and I finally sat down and started work on what would become Magnolia, we knew what it would sound like, we just concentrated on the performances. The guitar sounds like THIS.. the bass sounds like THIS.. now just sit in front of this microphone and throw some lightning bolts, brother.

It was an awkward recording process, but now that it’s completed the next album will go a lot more smoothly. The crayons are in the box. We’ll add a few more to reflect what has worked well on tour, and we’ll get to the fun part a little more quickly.

The percussion of this record is very forward moving. To me, it’s the driving force on the record. Was that your intention when you started writing or recording or was it the result of new collaboration?

I couldn’t agree more. Along with the maracas and tambourine that are essential to the sound, most of what you’re hearing as the “beat” is just me pounding out the rhythm on the top of an acoustic guitar. So yes… it’s ALL about percussion. Even the bass guitar is as much a rhythm element as it is a root for the songs. And it was very intentional. I wanted this project to be about rhythm and feel. I just didn’t want to use any drums to get it done. That’s why all the other instruments have to pitch in a bit, right?

You’re back in Austin, TX. How has it been being back, and, as a frequent visitor to the city, I was hoping you could share with us some of your favorite restaurants, hangouts, etc.

Have you tried the peach smoothies at a place called My Back Porch? Great for breakfast, though the menu is limited. They open again for beers around sundown. Sometimes it gets a little old so my wife and I will check out this spot called My Neighbor’s Back Porch? Also awesome. I’m joking. I don’t get out all that much.

Hmm.. ok how about Torchy’s Tacos? I’m a big fan of the fried avocado taco there. You can walk into almost any Tex-Mex restaurant in Austin and find something that hits the spot. Since my return to Austin, I’m excited to feel a little more San Antonio influence than when I left in 2002. You can get a great SAtown style puffy taco these days. I like the one at Vivo a lot. As for bars, I highly recommend staying the hell away from 6th street on the weekends. Longbranch is a great place to get a shot and beer, should you be in the mood for either.

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?

Well the few things you’ve mentioned have only helped MY music. Blogs? Myspace? Etc? Of course it’s great for tiny bands like mine. We’re not the best / loudest / meanest / quietest / slowest / weirdest / most-est band on the planet. But still.. I love us. Some people don’t need a band to be any of those things to appreciate their music. I’m those people. Whatever helps us connect with those people can only help, right?

To play the other side of the coin, however, I wonder what effect the internet is having on the culture of music in other ways? For instance, my younger years were all about waiting for things to come out and scouring magazine racks around the city for new music news. Most of my favorite records from the late 80’s and early 90’s began as favorite songs on mix tapes made by friends. I guess blogs are the modern day mix tape now and you don’t have to worry about someone grabbing the last issue of Pitchfork off the stand before you get there. But it all seems less personal to me than it did when I was younger. It’s easier to be educated, sure, but it’s less romantic maybe?

As for the mp3 downloading / file sharing / bit torrent issue, which I suppose is somewhat related, I can only be so suspicious or judgmental. Because (a) I’m listening to the new Phoenix album right now because the streets couldn’t wait and (b) if everyone that ever downloaded one of my songs ran out and bought a Wooden Birds album, or an AmAnSet album, the truth is I’d still have to put stuff back at the grocery store that I can’t afford right now. This is a life choice that I made. The internet didn’t create a generation of starving songwriters, it just put us in touch with one another and gave us something in common to complain about.

You’re currently in the middle of a European tour with Grand Archives and set to tour the Western United States on your return. Can we expect a swing through the Midwest as well?

We’re working on it now. We’re continuing our tour of the US through June and yes, you can count on a good showing in the Midwest. Check the Barsuk site and our website as well for dates. I believe they were announced today.

Buy: The Wooden Birds – Magnolia
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Myspace: The Wooden Birds
MP3: The Wooden Birds – “False Alarm”