By Jeff Kollath

In advance of their upcoming show at the North Mendota Supper Club in Madison, Nate Lacy of Mimicking Birds sat down with MoB to discuss their record deal, being from the Pacific Northwest, and what it will be like playing at Lollapalooza this year. Not only is the band gearing up for this big show, they are also breaking in a new guitarist, Ian Luxton, who replaces the recently departed Tim Skellenger. For a crash course on Mimicking Birds’ ethereal, atmospheric folk-rock hybrid, check out the above clip and be sure to watch the video – it is hypnotizing. If you like what you hear, join MoB in welcoming Mimicking Birds to the North Mendota Supper Club on Friday, August 6 at 8pm. Tickets are $10 – to reserve a spot send a note to nmsc1402@gmail.com.

“Mimicking Birds” came out in March to stellar reviews from the mainstream media, bloggers, and fans alike. Tell us about making the record and what it has been like working with Isaac Brock and Glacial Pace.

Thanks. Well, it was and has been great. Isaac is so encouraging and helpful along with Clay and everyone else at Glacial Pace.  We spent quite a bit of time on it comparatively.  And the act of recording itself was spread pretty thinly throughout most all of 2008.  Really looking forward to the next one and getting the rest of the band involved.

What goes into your songwriting process?

Not much out of the ordinary, I’d say. It kinds just comes and goes. Recording the song is the fun part for me – adding textures and assembling. Acoustic guitar has been the main medium because of its convenience, but with this I am not sessile and want to do more electric and piano-based stuff.

Going all the way back to the early 90s grunge scene that gave us Nirvana and Pearl Jam, and coming forward to bands like Fleet Foxes and Modest Mouse, what do you think makes the Pacific Northwest such a hotbed for music and songwriters? Were you especially influenced by the bands that came up in Washington and Oregon – is there something distinctly “Northwestern” about the music from this area?

Oh wow that’s a rather humbling group to be lumped with. I really haven’t tried to theorize much about it.  I think the scenery and weather definitely have something to do with it.  Although it is not so abstract compared to other places within the same latitude.  Its distinction is hard to say.. especially already knowing where the folks are from.  I think such greatness can and has come from anywhere.  Definitely odd though and I have been influenced by all of these.  Yet, I have gravitated towards substance of such nature since I was pretty young and unfamiliar with most of these so maybe yea its just something in the air.. or the water.  

On the 6th, Mimicking Birds is headed to Madison for a house show; the next night, you’ll be playing Lollapalooza for the first time.  Do you prepare differently for shows that are on such oppostite ends of the spectrum? Which do you enjoy more?

Something in between is likely ideal.. but that changes all the time.  Just depends on the experience itself really.  The best shows are usually the more intimate ones here at home where lots of friends and family are able to come.. like a big reunion.

Last question – who have you and the other guys in the band been listening to lately? Give us a few favorite bands/records/songs that we should be paying attention to.

Had a good Neutral Milk Hotel kick this past spring.  Really like a lot of The National’s new album as well.  As of now, I have been listening to Thom Yorke’s “Eraser” a lot this past week..  this one’s stuck with me strong for a couple years now though so not so new.  Bruce Cockburn has been making its way into the slot quite a bit too lately (a nostalgic fixation of mine maybe). If you’re not familiar with him, check out the songs “If a Tree Falls in a Forest,” “Lovers in a Dangerous Time,” and “Night Train.”  Califone is awesome and Ian just texted me some good ones too: Destroyer, Dirty Projectors, Grizzly Bear, and Ariel Pink’s Haunted Graffiti.