Muzzle of Bees is proud to present Bodies of Water + Port O’Brien at Cafe Montmartre on Wednesday, August 6th. I caught up with David for our continuing 5 Questions with Muzzle of Bees feature, and came away with some great music to check out.

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

We recorded it in our house. Adam Siegel recorded the last record, and the city made him destroy his studio after we had finished working on it (no permits). This time around he moved his gear into the front room of our house, and we set up in the living room. My amp was in the bedroom, Kyle’s was in the kitchen. It was nice because we could stand closer to the doorways into the other rooms if we wanted to hear ourselves more, and we didn’t need to wear headphones and all that.

Tell me about the album art for the new record. How did you choose it and where did it come from?

The cover is two photos – one is a picture I took 8 years ago of myself standing in front of my roomate’s wolf. It was a quarter german sheperd, I think. I turned it in as an assignment for a photo class I was taking, and I got a D. This was in the college days. The other photo is a picture of the grand canyon from the cover of a record that I found in a thrift store. Esther Henderson took it. It was Grofe’s Grand Canyon Suite (naturally). I’ve subsequently seen the same record four or five times in the record sections of different thrift stores. It’s funny how you see some of the same records in thrift stores everywhere. Barbra Streisand, Mantovani, Herb Alpert, Andy Williams. This is the sort of music that scores of people used to like enough to buy, yet there is no demand for them any longer.

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

Another guy (thank you, Ariel) turned me on to this Chilean band called Los Jaivas that is pretty interesting. They started off doing these improvised psychedelic versions of Andean folk songs, and then became progressively more progressive. I haven’t really listened to any of their newer stuff, but I like the older recordings that I’ve heard. They started out in the early 70′s. I also have been enjoying Charles Ives. He was an interesting guy; a titan of the insurance industry around the turn of the century that composed in his spare time. When he was in his 50s (I think) he stopped writing music and decided that he couldn’t do it anymore. I should look into this. Hang on… Okay, I just checked wikipedia. He came downstairs with tears in his eyes in 1927 (age 52) and told his wife that nothing he wrote sounded right. He lived another 27 years, but never wrote anything again. You could make a solid case for his being the first great American composer. At least he’d be in the running with WC Handy, and Scott Joplin (and maybe Stephen Foster?), but then that’s a different deal.

What was the last concert you went to see as a fan?

Tommy Santee Klaws at Pehrspace. I should throw him in there with Los Jaivas as little known guys that are very much worth checking out. Go listen to him!

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 guess it has helped our songs find people who like to listen to them. There still aren’t many of those, but more than there would be otherwise. If it weren’t for blogs and web-magazine-type things, I don’t think anyone would know who we are. I guess that’s just how it is these days – that’s usually how I find out about music – and I feel fine about it.

MoB Ticket Giveaway: We have two (2) pairs of tickets to give away for the show. To enter, please send an e-mail to muzzleofbees.com @ gmail.com letting us know your favorite body of water, and please specify Bodies of Water in the subject of your message. We will notify the winners by e-mail before the show.

Myspace: Bodies of Water
MP3: Bodies of Water – “Under The Pines”
MP3: Bodies of Water – “I Guess I’ll Forget The Sound, I Guess, I Guess”

Find more MP3′s at The Hype Machine or buy stuff from Strictly Discs | eMusic

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

M. Ward stands firmly as one of this generations best songwriters. He’s set to perform the Pabst Theater with MoB favorites The Watson Twins on Saturday, July 19th. If that’s not enough, stick around afterwards for a free performance from Tim Fite. Chicago fans can catch up with M. Ward at this weekend’s Pitchfork Music Festival on Sunday at 6pm. Finally, Madison fans won’t want to miss M. Ward with Zooey Deschanel, performing their She & Him material at the Barrymore Theatre on Friday, August 8th. For now, enjoy my chat with M. Ward for our continuing 5 Questions with Muzzle of Bees feature.

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?

Music has survived hundreds of thousands of years – i have a gut feeling that it will change but ultimately survive the digital age.

Jim James recently mentioned an album he’s working on with you and Conor Oberst. How is that coming along and will all of you guys be sharing songwriting duties?

Too early to say – the project is in a nascent stage and probably wont be ready until 2010 or so…

I thought your production work on the She & Him album was brilliant. It really made the music sound timeless in a sense, like it could have been made decades ago, yet still just as embraceable today. You’re touring through the summer together; can we assume that you’re already in the beginning stages of crafting Volume 2?

Yes – we are talking about it and listening demos.

I’ve always loved your covers both on record and times I’ve seen you in concert. If you were to cover and entire night’s worth of someone else’s material whose would you choose?

It’s a good question that I don’t know – I’ve thought about covers records before but i feel like maybe its been done too many times – for my own records and shows, I’m more interested in mixing new and old and mixing popular ideas and themes with newer ones.

You’re returning to the Pabst Theater, a place you last played at the end of 2006 in support of Post-War. To us it’s one of the best venues around, what (if any) memories do you have of the venue or times you’ve been in Wisconsin?

I love the sound in the architecture of the Pabst Theater – its always a pleasure to play inside living works of art.

++++

How great is Merge Records? You can currently download the vinyl bonus tracks (there’s three of them!) from M.Ward’s Transfiguration of Vincent right here.

Myspace: M. Ward

Find MP3′s at The Hype Machine or buy stuff from Strictly Discs | eMusic

Today marks the beginning of La Fête de Marquette here in Madison; three days of world music sure to turn you on to something you haven’t heard or seen before. One act I consider to be a can’t miss is Dengue Fever, who will take the state tomorrow at 7:15. I got in touch with drummer Paul Smith, who was kind enough to participate in our continuing 5 Questions with Muzzle of Bees feature.

Could you lend some information on the recording process of Venus On Earth? Where and how was it recorded, and were there any lessons learned towards future recording sessions?

We did most basics at our friends studio Phase Four (Jim Putnam’s place). We recorded to analog tape for the first time and really enjoyed it. We used our own studio, The Shoebox, for a lot of overdubs and mixing. I think the most important lesson on this session was learning to leave some space. Not that we will always do that but it really made a difference on this album.

I also want to commend you on having one of the most capturing album covers I’ve seen in some time. How did the album cover of Venus On Earth come about?

It started with the idea of Zac and Nimol on an old Pouch moped and went from there. Senon did the design with Zac looking over his shoulder. It was an attempt at something that would feel classic.

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?

It has created a million different niche markets. People get to search out what they are into through all of these portals. It has a sense of adventure really, because you can sit down and go in search of almost anything and come across interesting things along the way. Bands now can get an audience without the old model of expensive marketing. There are draw backs but what’s the point since that page has already been turned?

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

I have been listening to the Trojan Dub box set that came out recently. 50 tracks from the 70′s to the 80′s. Good stuff. There is also an album of good stuff from Nigeria called Nigeria 70-Lagos Jump.

You’ve played your share of clubs and festivals including an upcoming spot at Madison’s La Fete de Marquette. In terms of preference do you prefer indoor or outdoor venues and do you tailor your set list to the type of audience your playing to, perhaps a lot of first timers in a festival setting?

Indoor and outdoor have different vibes. It’s a bit like apples and oranges. If you are outside it’s probably a festival with people spread around more which can mean less concentrated energy coming back from the audience. In a club or theatre it’s more confined and seems to funnel the crowds energy right to the stage. There is always exceptions but it’s great to do both. Playing in the sun with great scenic backdrops is always a nice change of pace. Our set list is made up right before we go on so it can reflect the crowd’s energy. If it’s mellow we may start with something mellow and work our way up. If everyone is rarin’ to go then we start out with a rocker!

Myspace: Dengue Fever
MP3: Dengue Fever – “Sober Drive”

Find more MP3′s at The Hype Machine or buy stuff from Strictly Discs | eMusic

Since the early 2000’s, the lovely and talented Maria Taylor has graced my listening pleasure with her lush melodic crooning from the days of Azure Ray to her more recent solo efforts. Her delectable folkish lullabies have nursed my need for female singer songwriters on a many occasion. Her debut solo record, 11:11 was a regular rotation back in my days at WRST FM and my recent discovery of last year’s Lynn Teeter Flower has been on repeat to get me through the drones of cubicle life.

Savannah Drive is Taylor’s latest release, a digital collection of acoustic favorites from both 11:11 and Lynn Teeter Flower, recorded with the help of her partner in crime, Andy LeMaster. You can catch Taylor live here in Chicago both this Saturday night at Beat Kitchen, co-headlining with Jonathan Rice as well as Sunday afternoon at Belmont’s Art & Music Street Fest. After many spins of Savannah Drive, I must say I’m pretty excited to check Miss Taylor up close and personal this weekend. I was lucky to catch up with Taylor and continue MoB’s continuing feature, 5 Questions with Muzzle of Bees.

Could you lend some information on the recording process of Savannah Drive? Where and how was it recorded, and were there any lessons learned towards future recording sessions?

My friend Andy Lemaster and I recorded this EP at his house in Athens, Ga. We recorded lots of it live and added minimal overdubs. We had all the windows open . . . could hear the birds and the trains in the distance. It was a beautiful atmosphere and we wanted to try to capture it in the recordings . . .

With your upcoming tour are there any particular cities or venues that you’re particularly looking forward to playing? Are there any past tour dates that have been especially enjoyable or memorable?

I always look forward to going back south. I’m from Alabama and lived in Athens for years so it’s wonderful to get to visit family and friends so often. I also recently moved from Omaha, and so I’m looking forward to seeing all of my peeps there too!!!

What was the last show you’ve gone to as a fan?

Hmmm . . . it was a secret Elvis Costello show at the El Ray in Los Angeles.

What was your first album you ever owned? Is it one that you would still go back and listen to today?

Well, my first CD was Carole King “Tapestry” my first record was probably Michael Jackson or maybe the soundtrack to that TV show Sha Na Na . . . SP??

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 it is an amazing way to reach people you would never ever have been able to reach pre-internet. I also worry that all of the free downloading is going to make it difficult for artists to make a living.

Myspace: Maria Taylor

I’m a big fan of Tim Fite. He’s quirky, fun, neat and eccentric as hell. Fair Ain’t Fair dropped this past May and it’s been on my regular rotation of chillaxin Sunday albums ever since. Fite will be once again gracing the stage at Chicago’s Lakeshore Theatre on July 17th, this time with the lovely Watson Twins. I was lucky enough to touch base with Fite to continue with our continuous 5 Questions with Muzzle of Bees feature to pick his brain a bit.

Could you lend some information on the recording process of Fair Ain’t Fair? Where and how was it recorded, and were there any lessons learned towards future recording sessions?

FAF was recorded in four main sections. First I went to my old high school with Rob Badenoch and Justin Riddle, and we recorded all kinds of crazy drums. Rob has more microphones than I do, and a really nice portable rig, so we set up at the school, and I had Justin let loose at a variety of tempos. These drums would be sample fodder for the rest of the record.

Second, I started stealing from other folks records the way that I always have. I would build new song structures out of old ones, and add on lots of other parts (this I did at home in my underwear).

Third, I went back to the high school with Rob and Justin and Doctor Leisure, and a long list of talented friends, and we added all of the instruments that I don’t have at home – like pianos and lap steels and mandolins and tympani drums. For these sessions, I would just have folks jam over the song. No one was allowed to stop if they made a mistake. We didn’t listen back at all.

Fourth, I went home, and cut and pasted and dismembered all of the material recorded in step 3. Then I did my singing.

Next time I record, I am going to put less pressure on myself.

Your live shows and album art boast some pretty crazy illustrations. How would you rate your knack for art versus that of creating music? Do you find that they go hand and hand–Several of your tracks almost echo musical collages with your various samples–where do you find the inspiration for these eccentricities?

I think that everything starts with making pictures. And it will end with making pictures as well. As much as it may seem that the music is a vehicle for the pictures, music is simply the spoon full of sugar. I do approach song making like it is picture making. I like to produce things that are striking and simple at first, but upon further inspection are worthy of further inspection.

What was your first album you ever owned? Is it one that you would still go back and listen to today?

Bobby McFerrin – “Spontaneous Inventions.” I listened to it last week.

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 that the internet is a double edged sword. One side makes it easier to get material out into the world, while the other side cuts the world to so many little bits that all its material slips slimy through the fingers.

We’re always looking to uncover new favorite artists, are there any band(s)/record(s) that you could recommend to our readers? If you were to play an entire set of someone else’s songs, whose material would you choose and/or enjoy playing the most?

Everyone should listen to Whitman. He is the new captain of death’s ship. If I were to play an entire set of someone else’s songs, I would play the songs of Body Count.

Myspace: Tim Fite
MP3: Tim Fite – “I Called For You”