Article/mini-Interview: Kevin Barnes
Yet another talented band from the fertile Athens, GA soil, Of Montreal is a colorful cast of characters, many of whom have at least part-time residence in other esteemed indie outfits like Summer Hymns, Great Lakes, Marshmallow Coast and My First Keyboard. Its latest release, Horse and Elephant Eatery (No Elephants Allowed): The Singles And Songles Album, is a collection of previously unreleased or hard to find B-sides spanning the band's career. The album is fun in the summer sun. Although the band has bid farewell to Hoboken, NJ's Bar/None Records and signed on at the busy Kindercore camp, frontman Kevin Barnes slowed things down for a moment to answer these five weighty questions.
1. If you could bury your CD with any one dead celebrity, who would it be and why?
Kevin Barnes: Henrik Ibsen, because he invented beer and cologne and because his face looks lovely framed.
2. If you could trade your ability to make music for one superpower, what would it be and why?
KB: The ability to yawn and become a priest. I think I would become a hit at parties.
3. What previously recorded song do you think you could do better and why?
KB: I don't know if we could do it any better than The Beach Boys, but I would really love to do a cover of the song, "I'm so Young." It is one of my favorite songs of that genre. It is so sweet and innocent yet filled with emotion. Another thing that attracts me to it is that we have an inside joke involving the title. Andy always says, "Oh...You're so young," and it makes me laugh every time.
4. Who was the first person to break your heart?
KB: Julie Ouellette.
5. Paper or plastic?
KB: Paper.
Showing posts with label 2001. Show all posts
Showing posts with label 2001. Show all posts
Monday, June 22, 2009
2001-??-?? - ZUM Online
Of Montreal by Jeremy Crown
Kevin Barnes has brought back an innocence to indie rock with his jolly band Of Montreal. Their new album, Coquelicot Asleep in the Poppies: A Variety of Whimsical Verse on Kindercore, blends the stripped down pop sound of their first two albums with the theme of story and concept from their previous album, Gay Parade. Athens, Georgia-based Barnes took time to answer some questions about the new album and his creative process.
You seem to have a fascination with concept albums (A Petite Tragedy, Gay Parade, Coquelicot); do you go into writing an album with the idea of creating a concept album or does the concept itself develop in a more organic way?
kevin: The concepts sort of just form on their own. I don't ever start a project by saying I want to make an album about a particular subject. With A Petite Tragedy, it was easy because I was writing all of these songs about my failed romance and so there was a consistent theme. For The Gay Parade I started getting into writing short story type of songs. I was beginning to get into creating characters and putting them into different scenarios. Coquelicot has the most complicated story line of the three. It was more of a collaboration between me and David (my brother). I had all of these story songs and so we decided to connect them together and create a story using the characters from the songs. That helped inspire more songs which in turn created more possibilities for our characters. We sort of got out of hand but it was fun.
Please explain or simplify the concept of Coquelicot Asleep in the Poppies: A Variety of Whimsical Verse.
kevin: Coquelicot is an Efeblum. An Efeblum is a fairy-like creature who is employed by the Efeneties (loving spirits) to place bells inside people's hearts. When a person has a bell in their heart they are able to create works of art, fall in love and feel at peace with the world. Coquelicot, during one of her trips to Earth, decides to discard her bells and experience life as a human. Instead of living in "reality" she decides to experience life in a sleeping unconscious/conscious state. It is in this subconscious world that she meets Claude and Lecithin the inventor. They do all sorts of crazy stuff together like having incredible battles with evergreens and satellites, getting chased by psychotic zombies, playing with Lecithin's inventions and eventually moving away together to a deserted frozen island. In time, Coquelicot feels remorseful about neglecting her responsibilities as an Efeblum and decides to return to her work. She can't bear the thought of leaving her two new best friends so she invites them to come along with her. They happily except and join her as honorary Efeblums.
On your first two albums, Cherry Peel and A Petite Tragedy, you were dealing with more depressing themes of a personal nature like loves lost, especially with Petite Tragedy; since Gay Parade, you seem to have concentrated on worlds you create on your own and are generally more uplifting. Is this going to be a continuing theme with Of Montreal or just fit with these particular albums?
kevin: Well, I like writing about personal experiences but if nothing dramatic or noteworthy is happening in my life then I tend to rely more on my imagination and make believe. I do feel that to lose oneself in one's own imagination is a very positive thing. If I have another heartbreaking experience or, better still, get involved in a great loving relationship then I will probably start writing more personal songs again. As for now, I am having a good time inventing characters and watching them interact.
You are noted as saying that "it isn't necessary to know the concept to enjoy (the cd)." Do you think that is the inevitable downfall of most concept albums, or rather, the strength?
kevin: It all depends on the listener. I enjoy concept albums because I like getting lost in someone else's imagination. I like getting carried away to another world. I think some people listen to music in a more recreational fashion and don't want to have to digest too much information. We didn't want to make the album too overwhelming; we wanted it to be enjoyable and fun, not frustrating. I kind of liked the idea of keeping the concept of the album open to interpretation. We sort of just introduced all of these characters and connected them a little bit but then left the rest up to the listener. Hopefully people will try to figure out how all of the characters are related and have fun with it.
Kevin Barnes has brought back an innocence to indie rock with his jolly band Of Montreal. Their new album, Coquelicot Asleep in the Poppies: A Variety of Whimsical Verse on Kindercore, blends the stripped down pop sound of their first two albums with the theme of story and concept from their previous album, Gay Parade. Athens, Georgia-based Barnes took time to answer some questions about the new album and his creative process.
You seem to have a fascination with concept albums (A Petite Tragedy, Gay Parade, Coquelicot); do you go into writing an album with the idea of creating a concept album or does the concept itself develop in a more organic way?
kevin: The concepts sort of just form on their own. I don't ever start a project by saying I want to make an album about a particular subject. With A Petite Tragedy, it was easy because I was writing all of these songs about my failed romance and so there was a consistent theme. For The Gay Parade I started getting into writing short story type of songs. I was beginning to get into creating characters and putting them into different scenarios. Coquelicot has the most complicated story line of the three. It was more of a collaboration between me and David (my brother). I had all of these story songs and so we decided to connect them together and create a story using the characters from the songs. That helped inspire more songs which in turn created more possibilities for our characters. We sort of got out of hand but it was fun.
Please explain or simplify the concept of Coquelicot Asleep in the Poppies: A Variety of Whimsical Verse.
kevin: Coquelicot is an Efeblum. An Efeblum is a fairy-like creature who is employed by the Efeneties (loving spirits) to place bells inside people's hearts. When a person has a bell in their heart they are able to create works of art, fall in love and feel at peace with the world. Coquelicot, during one of her trips to Earth, decides to discard her bells and experience life as a human. Instead of living in "reality" she decides to experience life in a sleeping unconscious/conscious state. It is in this subconscious world that she meets Claude and Lecithin the inventor. They do all sorts of crazy stuff together like having incredible battles with evergreens and satellites, getting chased by psychotic zombies, playing with Lecithin's inventions and eventually moving away together to a deserted frozen island. In time, Coquelicot feels remorseful about neglecting her responsibilities as an Efeblum and decides to return to her work. She can't bear the thought of leaving her two new best friends so she invites them to come along with her. They happily except and join her as honorary Efeblums.
"I feel as long as David
understands my music
and thinks it's interesting
then I'm doing o.k."
understands my music
and thinks it's interesting
then I'm doing o.k."
On your first two albums, Cherry Peel and A Petite Tragedy, you were dealing with more depressing themes of a personal nature like loves lost, especially with Petite Tragedy; since Gay Parade, you seem to have concentrated on worlds you create on your own and are generally more uplifting. Is this going to be a continuing theme with Of Montreal or just fit with these particular albums?
kevin: Well, I like writing about personal experiences but if nothing dramatic or noteworthy is happening in my life then I tend to rely more on my imagination and make believe. I do feel that to lose oneself in one's own imagination is a very positive thing. If I have another heartbreaking experience or, better still, get involved in a great loving relationship then I will probably start writing more personal songs again. As for now, I am having a good time inventing characters and watching them interact.
You are noted as saying that "it isn't necessary to know the concept to enjoy (the cd)." Do you think that is the inevitable downfall of most concept albums, or rather, the strength?
kevin: It all depends on the listener. I enjoy concept albums because I like getting lost in someone else's imagination. I like getting carried away to another world. I think some people listen to music in a more recreational fashion and don't want to have to digest too much information. We didn't want to make the album too overwhelming; we wanted it to be enjoyable and fun, not frustrating. I kind of liked the idea of keeping the concept of the album open to interpretation. We sort of just introduced all of these characters and connected them a little bit but then left the rest up to the listener. Hopefully people will try to figure out how all of the characters are related and have fun with it.
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2001-??-?? - Splendid Pointless Questions
Of Montreal's Kevin Barnes tackles some POINTLESS QUESTIONS
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
What's the worst "day job" you've ever had?
Kevin Barnes: I worked at a donut shop called Krispy Kreme. I was responsible for making the donuts. It was surprisingly difficult because there were about six steps to the process and all six had to be performed at the same time. I wasn't very good at it and there would be donuts falling everywhere and batter all over the floor. Needless to say my position there was short lived.
PC or Mac (or Linux/etc.)? Why?
Kevin Barnes: I have a PC but for no other reason then I didn't know anything about computers and my friend helped me assemble one.
What is your definition of a "good person"?
Kevin Barnes: Someone who is compassionate and intelligent and improves the world around them.
What is the dumbest fashion trend of the last hundred years?
Kevin Barnes: The dumbest one in my opinion is cosmetic braces for your teeth. My mind was blown when I heard people were getting braces not because they needed them but because it was the hip thing to do.
If you could elect to never, ever, ever have to kiss one particular person now living, who would that person be?
Kevin Barnes: Pat Buchanan.
What's your position on gun control?
Kevin Barnes: I think hand guns and automatic weapons should be outlawed.
What album or albums in your music collection would you have to replace immediately if they wore out, were stolen, etc.?
Kevin Barnes: The Kinks' Village Green Preservation Society, The Boredoms' Super R, Kevin Ayers' Joy of a Toy.
You are able to get away with murder once, and only once. Who, if anyone, do you kill?
Kevin Barnes: I would kill Murray Wilson for being such an abusive father to Brian.
You're stuck at my house. It's your turn to cook. What meal do you cook me?
Kevin Barnes: Crepes with peaches served near a lactating mule.
If you could make a rock 'n' roll porn movie, who would be your two co-stars?
Kevin Barnes: Chan Marshall from Cat Power and Francoise Hardy.
What's the most evil thing in the world?
Kevin Barnes: People who abuse children or animals.
You have the power to bring one famous dead person back to life. Who's it gonna be?
Kevin Barnes: I would bring back Vladimir Nabokov because I think he would find it interesting to be brought back to life. I would also like for him to write some more novels for us.
Was Betsy Ross hot for George Washington?
Kevin Barnes: Who wasn't?
What "official version" of a historical event do you most suspect to be a load of crap?
Kevin Barnes: The original Thanksgiving.
What is the "most wanted" item on your holiday wish list?
Kevin Barnes: I would love a Roland Space Echo in perfect working order.
· · · · · · ·
While constantly busy with Of Montreal and its various associated offshoots, Kevin Barnes is probably eagerly anticipating the release of his band's next full-length album, Coquelicot Asleep in the Poppies, which is expected in April 2001.
-- George Zahora
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
What's the worst "day job" you've ever had?
Kevin Barnes: I worked at a donut shop called Krispy Kreme. I was responsible for making the donuts. It was surprisingly difficult because there were about six steps to the process and all six had to be performed at the same time. I wasn't very good at it and there would be donuts falling everywhere and batter all over the floor. Needless to say my position there was short lived.
PC or Mac (or Linux/etc.)? Why?
Kevin Barnes: I have a PC but for no other reason then I didn't know anything about computers and my friend helped me assemble one.
What is your definition of a "good person"?
Kevin Barnes: Someone who is compassionate and intelligent and improves the world around them.
What is the dumbest fashion trend of the last hundred years?
Kevin Barnes: The dumbest one in my opinion is cosmetic braces for your teeth. My mind was blown when I heard people were getting braces not because they needed them but because it was the hip thing to do.
If you could elect to never, ever, ever have to kiss one particular person now living, who would that person be?
Kevin Barnes: Pat Buchanan.
What's your position on gun control?
Kevin Barnes: I think hand guns and automatic weapons should be outlawed.
What album or albums in your music collection would you have to replace immediately if they wore out, were stolen, etc.?
Kevin Barnes: The Kinks' Village Green Preservation Society, The Boredoms' Super R, Kevin Ayers' Joy of a Toy.
You are able to get away with murder once, and only once. Who, if anyone, do you kill?
Kevin Barnes: I would kill Murray Wilson for being such an abusive father to Brian.
You're stuck at my house. It's your turn to cook. What meal do you cook me?
Kevin Barnes: Crepes with peaches served near a lactating mule.
If you could make a rock 'n' roll porn movie, who would be your two co-stars?
Kevin Barnes: Chan Marshall from Cat Power and Francoise Hardy.
What's the most evil thing in the world?
Kevin Barnes: People who abuse children or animals.
You have the power to bring one famous dead person back to life. Who's it gonna be?
Kevin Barnes: I would bring back Vladimir Nabokov because I think he would find it interesting to be brought back to life. I would also like for him to write some more novels for us.
Was Betsy Ross hot for George Washington?
Kevin Barnes: Who wasn't?
What "official version" of a historical event do you most suspect to be a load of crap?
Kevin Barnes: The original Thanksgiving.
What is the "most wanted" item on your holiday wish list?
Kevin Barnes: I would love a Roland Space Echo in perfect working order.
· · · · · · ·
While constantly busy with Of Montreal and its various associated offshoots, Kevin Barnes is probably eagerly anticipating the release of his band's next full-length album, Coquelicot Asleep in the Poppies, which is expected in April 2001.
-- George Zahora
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