ACL Fest Artist Interview: Austinist Talks To Cold War Kids
California's Cold War Kids have been the object of both adulation and derision since their inception in 2004. The band's songs traffic in third-person tales of downhearted and desperate characters, and their music frames the stories rather than overpowering them. After playing SXSW in March, Cold War Kids return to town for both a spot on the ACL Festival bill this Saturday and an aftershow at Stubb's on Sunday evening. Austinist traded emails with CWK vocalist and guitarist Nathan Willett about mixing a song, crying over The White Stripes, and tacos.
We notice on your recordings that the vocals are mixed high and the instruments are often sparse. Does this change much in a live setting?
It's similar live. I like vocals to be high in the mix. It's less common now. Lots of bands let vocals get washed up by guitars.
You seem pretty committed to the idea of song as story on Robbers and Cowards. Might that change for your next record?
Words are being written on this very day that are relevant to this question. I think that the stories will still be there for album two. There is a song called "Golden Gate Jumpers," and another called "Dreams Old Men Dream," and both are stories.
Of the many interesting venues you've hit in the past couple of years, is there any one show that stands out as perfect...or just especially memorable?
We have a thing for La Cigalle in Paris. We played there with Clap Your Hands Say Yeah and Elvis Perkins. The room is old and has a great vibe and the fans there gasp and laugh and cheer at all the right times.
Has there been any particular wish fulfillment that has come from all of your touring (meeting a musical idol, seeing the Roman Coliseum, or something of that nature)?
I always wanted to go to Europe. I had friends who had gone, but I was always too much in debt from school and I couldn't pull it off. Touring has passed the honeymoon phase for us, but still, I can't believe we get to play music all over for a job.
Do you feel that the indie-rock blogger love given to bands like CWK is helpful (in providing a bigger audience), or does it put undue pressure and expectation on young acts?
I think pressure is whatever you put on yourself. We were ready for the madness of touring when we received attention, so it worked out well. I could see how a band who has songs on the internet, gets attention, and then isn't ready for being watched by a greater audience could get spooked.
Does a hugely positive or negative review ever affect you personally as a band? Do you even read the music press?
Sometimes I will read press and feel very excited about what's going on in music - like new bands to tour with, new albums, etc. Other times, I get that gross voyeuristic feeling, like [one gets] from watching hours of TV. People love to know everything about music, but like all things, it can be zapped of its joy by overdoing it.
(Note: The next question was submitted before Tuesday's White Stripes cancellation.)
You're coming back to town as an opener for The White Stripes in a high-demand, sold-out show. Is it challenging to play as a support act knowing that most people you're playing to that night have come to see a different band?
The show is canceled and we are sad. We were really excited about watching them play every night, but now we have a month to work on writing our next record.
Finally, since you're coming to Austin...have you ever had a breakfast taco?
Never have. Does Bill Baird serve 'em?
Cold War Kids will perform at the Austin City Limits Festival on Saturday, September 15th at 3:30pm. They will also support Ghostland Observatory at Stubb's on Sunday, September 16th.
[Cold War Kids MySpace]
[Cold War Kids Official Site]
[Buy Ghostland Observatory + Cold War Kids Tickets]
Image via Matt Biddulph on Flickr.
