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Only a week earlier, we had watched from afar (very far) as José González performed his subdued acoustic set on a massive Austin City Limits Festival stage. Though large crowds and larger stages aren't out of the ordinary for the Scandanavian superstar, José seemed much more at place at The Parish a few weeks later, where we sat down for a chat before the show.
Are large stage shows and massive outdoor audiences difficult for you?
I don't mind those types of shows usually, and I don't really mind the amount of people. It's more about whether or not they're listening to what I'm doing. And for a festival crowd, the ACL audience was really quiet, which was nice. It was hard though, because I was so tired. The night before had been the last night of the tour with Zero 7, and I'd had only 1 1/2 hours of sleep.
So 100 degree weather was just what you were hoping for.
[Laughs] No, no, I wasn't really in the mood for it.
At this point, you've done massive amounts of touring. Does anything make you nervous? A sea of people standing in the blistering heat waiting for you to go on, say?
[Laughs] No, I don't really get nervous anymore. The first time I played at a festival was in Sweden, in front of 8,000 people. I do remember getting nervous back then, and I was very nervous when I played on Conan O'Brien, but I think that was more because it was just one song, and you don't really get a chance to get comfortable. It's difficult to get in the mood and go play one song. But in general I've played so much that I don't really get nervous anymore. I have been playing these songs for so long, it's easier, it's only when I want to try a new song that I might feel uncomfortable.
New songs, which might appear on a new album, which might appear ...
Yeah! I have a couple of songs, and when I've been home between tours I've been fooling around. But I'm really slow at writing songs, and since I haven't been home very much I've been waiting to really get into doing it.
TOURING."
When you go home, you split your time between your solo work and Junip: is it more exciting to get back to just you and your guitar alone in a room, or do you get anxious to play with other people after such long stints on tour supporting Veneer?
Oh, I'm probably more excited about playing in private. I remember at the end of the first couple of tours I was really excited about doing something completely different, but I've kind of grown past that feeling. I did the EP with Junip, and I did music with a Swedish children's series, and of course Zero 7, so I'm excited to go home and work on things more like Veneer, which will be more like going back to the old stuff.
Photos by Eric Uhlir
So we can expect a new album that sounds like Veneer?
Oh yes. I want the guitar to be the focus.
I've heard your version of Springsteen's "Born In the U.S.A.", and always wondered what made you choose the song. On some level, your rendition is absolutely fitting, given the song's meaning, and on another it's odd, since typically it's a sort of fist-pumping anthem that represents (correctly or incorrectly) an enthusiasm that you've stripped.
Yes, that actually came about because a friend of mine was putting together a show where eight different bands play the same song, and that was the song. I started playing it live after that, but it's been over a year since I played it last. I decided not to sing the chorus at all, which I felt made it easier to clearly hear the lyrical meaning.
How did the collaboration with Zero 7 come about?
[Laughs] I think I did it mainly because they were so nice. I didn't know their music, but we met in London at a festival and they wanted to play me some of their stuff, so we went to their car. They pulled out the laptop and realized they didn't have any of their music with them, but I said, "Oh you seem nice, so ok." After that they did send me some music, and I liked it, so it worked out well.
You're Argentinian by birth, but raised in Sweden. Both of your parents exposed you to so much music growing up, and I've read articles where you discuss your influences. But from a strictly nostalgic point of view, what artist can you hear anywhere and immediately be taken back to your childhood years with your family?
Oh, that's easy. Silvio Rodriquez. My dad had a couple records of his early stuff, and whenever I listen to that it reminds me of home, growing up. There was this live record with Caetano Veloso and Gal Costa that I loved.
Why Mute Records?
Adrian, the U.S. guy behind Mute contacted my Swedish label as soon as Veneer came out, so we've been in contact for quite a long time now. For me it's really cool because in the UK also I'm on a more electronic/dance label too (Peacefrog), and I kind of like being on a label that doesn't just do one type of music. It's good for me to stand out.
In five years from now, are you with a band, or are you solo?
I see myself still playing music, hopefully both solo and with a band, but I don't see myself touring as much as I do now. I think I've done enough touring. I'm sure I'll go out with each record, but I probably won't tour as much as I have. I'd like to do more music at home.
What Scandanavian artists should Americans know about, that you like and recommend?
The Knife, Soundtrack Of Our Lives, Jens Lekman, Division of Laura Lee, Silver Bullet, and all of Bjorn Olsson's instrumental stuff is really good.
Finally, a personal request, is that ok?
Of course!
Do you listen to much Van Morrison? I'd love to hear you cover "And It Stoned Me".
I haven't listened to much of his stuff, but we have Astral Weeks with us, I'll pay closer attention next time. We've had it in the car, and I'm thinking when I do my covers record I'll keep it in mind.
Live photo by Manuel Van De Weijer on Flickr
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excellent!
great interview...
great work
awesome awesome awesome.