Austinist Interviews SXSW: Say Hi
Say Hi To Your Mom (the name) sounds like a Steve Stifler quote from American Pie, how did you decide on that moniker for your work? When did you drop the "To Your Mom" bit?
Eric Elbogen: It reminded me of small towns in the Midwest, where everyone is exceptionally polite to each other. I dropped the end of it before this new record came out.
When did you decide to start the band and also Euphobia Records? Was the label something you wanted to create right off the bat as well?
2000. After I moved to New York. Not exactly. I tried to get every record label I could think of to release the first Say Hi record. Nobody wanted to, so I started my own label. I’m really glad I did. It’s been much easier this way.
What were some of the bands you played in prior to starting SHTYM?
Um, I had some bands in high school and college that were pretty bad, so I’d prefer to not mention em. I’d rather people just start with the Say Hi catalog.
We are intrigued by the recording process you employ. What is your general routine when recording music?
I generally use a few pieces of software (Logic and Reason, to be exact) to sketch out songs, build drum parts, etc. Eventually the songs begin to take somewhat of a tangible form. When that happens, I‘ll write all the guitar and keyboard parts around the sketch and eventually write some lyrics and vocal melodies. Then I’ll spend months and months editing and revising until it’s done.
You play nearly all the instruments and write all of the material -- Who are some other musicians that have made appearances in Say Hi recordings?
A bunch of people who have toured with me have played on the records. John Roderick from the Long Winters and Dave Bazan of Pedro the Lion and Headphones fame, sang a bit on the new record. That was a treat for me.
What is the live set-up we can expect at SXSW?
A mishmash of real instruments and robot-controlled synthesizers.
How do you rate Austin as a breeding ground for music and arts? Any Austin bands grab your attention lately?
I hate to admit it, but I’m fairly ignorant about the Austin music scene. I’ll work on that.
What album(s) from 2007 stayed in your iPod / turntable all year?
I spent all of 2007 making the new record, so I didn’t listen to anyone else’s records. In Rainbows (Radiohead) came out just as I was finishing, so I listened to that though the holidays.
You have written about Star Trek and vampires in the past. Are you a Sci-Fi fan? What are some of your favorite shows and inspirations?
Yeah, Buffy (The Vampire Slayer) was an obvious influence on the last record, Impeccable Blahs. Pretty much anything Joss Whedon is involved with, is A-OK in my book.
What book or movie would you recommend? Anything really impacted you recently?
I just started re-reading David Foster Wallace’s “The Infinite Jest.” It hurts your brain a bit, it’s so dense, but I recommend it to anyone up to the challenge.
What is your favorite blog or music news site?
Um, The Austinist? What kind of points do I get for saying that?
Can pop culture be wrong?
Yes. Just look at Britney Spears. We all had such high hopes for her.
If you weren't a musician, what would you be doing?
Slowly drinking myself into a pale, anorexic demise.
New York or Seattle?
Seattle now, New York again later.
Shiner Bock or Lone Star?
Jameson, neat.
El Pastor Taco or Chopped Beef Sandwich?
The Taco always trumps the sandwich.
- Say Hi: [Official] [MySpace]
- Say Hi's official SXSW set is at 11 p.m. on Friday the 14th at Red Eyed Fly.
