INTERVIEW:
LA River Bend
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AS I battle various agencies regarding certain artists…
and their lax attention to my interview process - I have been provided solace and balm in the form of California’s LA River Bend. The quartet consists Nate Weiner, Emily Elkin; Branden Stroup and Jacob Seldes. I ask Weiner about the band’s formation and how integral the percussion is to the overall sound; whether there is more material coming next year – and what the story behind the new single, Mountain, is.
I find out whether the American band are coming to the U.K. and how LA River Bend developed over time; the artists (new and old) that influence their sound; how this Christmas is fixed; what stories and themes go into their new E.P. – and whether the L.A. music scene is as healthy and thriving as ever!
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For those new to your work; can you introduce yourself, please?
Sure thing! My name is Nate Weiner. I'm the lead singer-songwriter of the band.
Mountain is the new single from you. What inspired the track?
Mountain is definitely an inspirational track; one of positivity in the face of adversity. Originally, it was a testament to the band and our struggles pursuing music. I think it can be applied universally, though, to whatever obstacles we face in the day-to-day.
Do you all pitch lines and music? How do songs form for the band?
All of the songs on this E.P., I wrote first and then brought to the band for their parts. A song like Summer Wind: I had ideas of parts but needed to flesh them out with the band. That collaborative process has only increased and we are writing more collectively. I bring an idea, chords and melody to the band and, from there, we fine-tune parts/dynamics etc.
It's become very much a full-band process.
LA River Bend are known for the infectious harmonies and stirring arrangements. Are there any particular musicians that have inspired that course? Which artists did you all grow up listening to?
Branden and Emily are great at coming up with harmonies that fit my melodies. Sometimes, I have some ideas but they are so talented and well-versed with scale structure - they are the pros! Emily, of course, brings beautiful string parts to every song. Emily loves The Beatles - and I think that harmony background has helped her. I, myself, listened to a lot of Beach Boys growing up - and Branden was singing choir through college at N.Y.U.
The band began life as the backing for your solo album, Ride the Sun. How important and memorable was that time? Was there a moment when you all stepped from the shadows into the spotlight of LA River Bend?
Although I am comfortable as a solo artist; I love the comradery of a band. When we all play together and come up with our parts, it is a collaborative process. When I hear us play we sound like four people in a band - not myself with a backing band. I wouldn't say there was a definite moment...but I think the goal was to always have a band.
It seems Seldes’ drumming adds new measure and dynamics to the music. How important is that drumming to your overall sound?
Very important! Without Jacob, we would still be an acoustic Folk band. With the addition of his drumming styles; we can blur the lines between more genres - and keep growing as musicians and as a band.
The new E.P., Run These Hills, was self-recorded by Stroup. Was Stroup’s appointment a natural one? What was it like having Eric Boulanger mix the E.P.?
Branden and I started to work together, musically, when he mixed my solo album. Branden is a professional recording engineer making a name for himself (now) in L.A. It was a very natural decision. Branden actually tracked and mixed our E.P. - Eric Boulanger handled the mastering for us. That was great working with him; it was only for the one day. This was a D.I.Y. self-made release until that point so it was great to see a seasoned professional makes his way through our tunes. Plus his place, The Bakery, is awesome.
It's a converted screening room on the Sony Pictures lot - very cool!
Are there any particular inspiration points and moments that led to the songs’ creation? How instrumental and pivotal were relationships and personal revelations when it came to the songwriting?!
The songs were written over such a long period of time that it covers a lot of phases and moments of my life. The songs definitely capture my twenties experience to a large degree. I started writing, primarily, on acoustic guitar and eventually incorporated writing on my Tele. Two early songs that are on the E.P., Don't Get Lost and Fighting the Night, were written on acoustic and stayed so for the recording. I wrote Don't Get Lost as I was approaching breaking up with my girlfriend at the time. Definitely, I was not as fully aware of that in the moment - but I was writing a lot of songs then that were leading to the same conclusion.
There is a glimmer of hope, lyrically, at the end of that tune - but definitely didn't pan out in real life. My father was also dying from a bout with A.L.S. at the time and that, combined with ending the relationship with my girlfriend, came the space to write Fighting the Night. After the girlfriend break-up - and right before my father's eventual passing - I was having a real steady string of drunken nights.
One exceptionally bad one stood out - and a lot of that imagery from that night was put into the song.
Which track from the E.P. means most to each of you?
I have to say I'm the proudest of Mountain; just because I can hear everybody shine so well in it - and we really came together as a family on that one. We, obviously, play it a lot live and I've heard i a thousand times…but I still dig it. Honestly; all of the tracks hold a special part for me but I see Mountain as a definite launching point for the band and the sound we are exploring now.
Is the L.A. music scene as buzzing as ever? What is life like there for a young band?
I feel like there is so much talent and so much great music in L.A.
It is so great to see bands that we know finding more and more success. It makes us feel good, too, knowing that what we like could is getting real buzz and success. The bands and musicians we hang out with in L.A. have the music down - that is what we focus on first and foremost. The possible downside to that, which we have experienced, is that the marketing and image take a backseat to that - and, often, there are times you need that to get in the door and stick out from the pack.
Everything beyond the music that goes into being a band makes it a full-time job and can be overwhelming at times - but we're always learning and enjoying the process.
Are there times when it seems a career in music is far-fetched? How do you overcome these doubts?
I definitely think a career in music is far-fetched all of the time, for me, personally.
Emily and Branden are professionals in the music industry here in L.A., though; they make it work. Emily is constantly playing gigs as a cellist - she played with Lindsay Sterling recently and has a string of upcoming shows with Thee Oh Sees. Branden is a professional audio engineer - currently working at Val Garay's The Barn and Sound Space Studio. If you're a creative person; the best thing you can do to overcome doubts and anxiety is to just keep creating.
I'm lucky to be in a band with my friends...and we're part of a beautiful music family here in L.A.; that alone is fuc*ing amazing. Personally, as a songwriter and musician, I'm just going to keep trying to get better and keep making music. Even if a full-blown career never materializes; I will be playing music forever.
It's more of a lifestyle than a career...
Who are the new artists you recommend we check out?
There are some amazing artists that we have played with over the years. If you haven't checked out Young Creatures, you definitely should. Their tunes and vibe is infectious. We'll be playing with them soon in March at their residency at The Satellite in Silverlake.
I also would recommend my buddy Austin Antoine - who used to hold the Guinness World Record for the longest freestyle rap, until recently, I believe. Not only is he an amazing rapper and freestyler but he gigs harder than anybody I know.
IN THIS PHOTO: Austin Antoine
If you had to select the album that means the most to you; which would it be and why?
This is a tough one: there is a library of records that are very important to me. I'd say Mason Jennings' Use Your Voice was where it all started for me as far as songwriting. I learned how to play every song on that record and after that started writing songs of my own. That album was the launching pad for a lot of influential music for the early days of my songwriting. I discovered Bob Dylan, Leonard Cohen; was also listening to a lot of Jack Johnson, Ben Harper; Matt Costa, Alexi Murdoch etc. I dove right in. Mason is by far one of my favorites. That album and the documentary, Use Your Van, was highly inspirational.
What advice would you give to artists coming through right now?
Keep plugging away to find your unique sound...
Even if your sound is really similar to another artist, or locked in a lot of genre clichés; as long as it is honest and true then it is in the right direction.
What tour dates do you have approaching? Are you heading to the U.K. soon?
We would love to head to the U.K. - if it was financially doable. It would be a lil bit of an expense for us. At the moment; we have to sit back on lengthy touring. Right now, we are looking at doing weekend tours and one-off shows out of town. Honestly; we really need to keep building up our local presence before we can entertain any big touring...
We would love to play festivals, though - that is something we need to be a part of.
Christmas is not too far away. Do you all have plans already - or will you be busy working?
Out of four members: three of us are Jewish...although we end up celebrating both holidays. We have some fun Hanukkah plans this weekend and, of course, Christmas parties around the corner after that. We have a gig coming up at the start of the New Year. Right now, we are just trying to push the Run These Hills E.P. as much as we can - and hopefully play a lot more gigs (as much as we can)!
Finally, and for being good sports; you can each name a song and I’ll play it here (not one of yours as I’ll do that).
First of all: sorry for taking SUPER-LONG on getting this interview back: it's been a very busy couple of weeks. In the spirit of the holidays, though; I will dedicate three songs for my three bandmates Emily, Branden and Jacob - because it is 10:18 P.M. - and this interview is way overdue.
For Branden; I will choose one of our old favorites: No Rain (Ripped Away Version) by Blind Melon. Classic 1990s at its best
For Emily; Two-Headed Boy by Neutral Milk Hotel. She played it at a party recently and I had never heard it. It was one of her old favorites - and I love the emotion in this song
For Jacob; 24K Magic by Bruno Mars - he knows why. We have a lot of artists and bands we love - Snarky Puppy, Local Natives - but Bruno Mars seems right for this dedication
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