Brooklyn-based experimental rock band Yeasayer are currently on tour with their new album Odd Blood. Taking a direction that is definitely in opposition to the “Middle Eastern-psych-snap-gospel” sound of their first record, Canvas talked lyrics, Joe Louis and salted liquorice with the band.
CANVAS: Odd Blood is a record that’s much easier to dance to than its predecessor All Hour Cymbals. What prompted the move in this direction?
YEASAYER: We have always been a band that was interested in exciting rhythms, and cool sounding percussion, and the idea that a song is easily defined by its beat. On the last record, we definitely played around with beats in much the same way as Odd Blood, but we lacked the production know-how to make the beats really come through as a prominent part of the overall mix. This record we were a bit more knowledgeable about arrangements and recording techniques, and we had greater resources at our disposal, so the beats and the bass were able to come through more, so you’re left with a much dancier record.
Did you consciously try to retain a ‘Yeasayer sound’?
We didn’t really worry about retaining a ‘Yeasayer sound’. We just sort of figured that it would come through despite any production changes, by our voices, and song-writing style. We like to try to stay out of any clearly defined boxes.
How has the experience of becoming an internationally-acclaimed band fed into Odd Blood?
With Odd Blood, we were no longer working in a little bubble in a basement in Brooklyn. We were reacting lyrically and musically to living on the road for a year and a half. We were more conscious of that fact that most of our lives were spent touring, so we wanted the record to be exciting for us to play live, night after night.
Has anything surprised you about fans’ and critics’ reactions to the album so far?
Well, you’re always surprised when certain aspects of the making of the album are picked up, but that’s part of the fun of putting something out there for fans and critics to enjoy or tear apart.
Your single, Ambling Alp, is about a famous Italian boxer. Where did you first hear this story and how did the song evolve from there?
These are Chris’s lyrics mostly. I think he was reading about Joe Louis in a book about Malcolm X.
You did an amazing job of recreating All Hour Cymbals live despite the fact that it was basically recorded with a microphone into a computer. How challenging is it to replicate Odd Blood live - with the added pressure that some believe Yeasayer sound better live?
We just go out there and try to put on as good of a live show as possible, try to sing in tune, give off good energy to the crowd, and stay on the beat.
Which part of touring the album are you really looking forward to?
I’m excited to go to places I’ve never been, warmer places like Rome and Madrid.
With its blogs, file sharing and hyperbole, is the internet Yeasayer’s friend or foe?
The internet has always been Yeasayer’s friend, giving us much needed exposure. Even if some blogger hates the album, they’re still taking the time to write about us for some reason, so that’s still good press as far as I’m concerned.
What three songs by other artists are you enjoying at the moment?
Jealous Man by The Impressions, Three Babies by Sinead O Connor and In Your Own Backyard by Dion.
Finish this sentence. “Odd Blood is the ultimate record for…”
Eating salted liquorice.
Yeasayer is touring extensively through Europe and the United States, including the Primavera and Pink Pop festivals. For tour dates and details visit Yeasayer’s MySpace site.
