A couple weeks back I was in Detroit for a couple days and found myself watching NBA playoff games in my hotel room sans sound, instead piping in Frightened Rabbit’s The Midnight Organ Fight. I played the record consecutively five times before falling asleep with the television on. The next morning it was the first record I played upon waking up. We’ve already given the record our Tuesday’s Gold stamp of approval, but I’ll go one step further and confidently state it’s one of my favorite records of the year so far.
Some of you may have caught them recently at the High Noon Saloon opening for the French Kicks, others will want to make sure to be at the Terrace on Friday, June 13th for a stint opening for Oxford Collapse. In preparation, I caught up with Scott Hutchison for our continuing 5 Questions with Muzzle of Bees feature.
Could you lend some information on the recording process of The Midnight Organ Fight? Where and how was it recorded, and were there any lessons learned that you’ll apply towards future recording sessions?
The album was recorded in a couple of different studios in the north-east of the US. One of the studios was a great deal fancier than the other, and that definitely helped us to keep from cleaning up too much sonically (though some appear to disagree with that). I’d love to apply the use of multiple rooms and studios to make the next record, as I think it naturally creates a more interesting texture.
The Midnight Organ Fight comes off, at least lyrically, as a very emotional investment. Is the majority of the songwriting based on personal encounters/interactions or merely social observations?
It’s pretty much solely based on my own experience, and focuses fairly intensely on one particular section of my life thus far. It was a strange time. Not without its lovely parts too, but it seemed to unlock a darker side to my songwriting which could often be interpreted as depression. I think sadness is different to depression though, and I feel this record expresses sadness and then hope more than anything else.
You’re currently on the road sweeping across the US, in what I believe in your largest state side tour ever. What are things you’ll miss most about Scotland, but also give me some of the things you’re most excited about during your time in the states?
I’ll be missing the Scottish climate, as I’m much better equipped to deal with the cold as opposed to the heat. It just makes me sweaty and irate. I’m looking forward to taking advantage of the rather sweet exchange rate as it stands. Everything half price!
We’re always looking to uncover new favorite artists, are there any band(s)/record(s) that you could recommend to our readers?
We Were Promised Jetpacks are the most outstanding new Glasgow band since the Twilight Sad. Going to be rather popular I believe. Also from our dear motherland are El Padre (great electro shoegaze rock), Ross Clark (ballsy weirdo country) and Jocky Venkataraman (the Scottish Syd Barrett)
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 seems at the moment it can only help us. Bloggers as a mass body are a very powerful force, even if most are kind of irrelevant standing alone. The main negative point I can think of is that the internet and downloading makes music more easily disposable and throw-away. Its easier to pick up and chuck away with digital music, which is a shame, as music should be a very special thing that is kept and revisited.
Myspace: Frightened Rabbit
MP3: Frightened Rabbit – “Modern Leper”
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