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Since 1991 or so, the brothers Kadane (Matt and Bubba) have been performing together, first as Bedhead and then as The New Year. Loosely based in Texas, the duo that forms the core of a group that has become one of the most subtly influential outfits in independent music today. After a couple years of hiatus, The New Year returns to us this year with a brand new album (look for it in the fall). In anticipation of this milestone, the brothers are performing some shows -- one of those shows is tonight at Emo's. They'll play quite a bit of older material, but we're told we can expect two or three new ones as well. This week, we had a chance to exchange emails with Matt Kadane, and he was kind enough to explain a bit about working with Albini, their recording process and what kind of tacos may or may not be the best to grab when in Austin.
For the new record -- are you working with Steve Albini again?
Yes, we did all the basic tracks and most of the obverdubs with Steve at Electrical Audio. We first recorded with him in 1996 and have been doing so ever since, in part because we all get along so well and in part because he is the world's greatest recording engineer. We mixed the record with another incredible engineer, Matthew Barnhart, at the Echo Lab in Denton.
Follow the jump for the rest of the interview and more information about the band.
How much time do you guys spend in the studio when it's time for a new album? With a fair amount of time in between them, do you arrive with a fairly solid idea of what is going to work, or do those things unfold once you're together?
We go into the studio knowing nearly exactly what we want to do. Most of the time, what we're really trying to do is replicate our demos with better sound quality. Getting the songs on tape usually takes two to three weeks, although in the case of the new record the weeks spent recording were spread over several months. Mixing can take up to a month.
You're touring as Kadane Brothers, but we'll be hearing some of the new songs, correct?
Bubba and I have worked up four of the new songs, although when we practiced yesterday one of those was sounding pretty loose. We'll play at least three of the new ones live.
You're doing some shows with ex-Silkworm folks Bottomless Pit - is there a long friendship there?
Bubba and I have known and loved those guys since the early 1990s, when Bedhead first played with them in Austin. I then volunteered to be Silkworm's keyboard player before they did an Italian tour in 2000, and that led me to play on a couple of their records and on more tours.
What music is worth listening to these days? Has a recent show really knocked your socks off?
I like Bottomless Pit and am looking forward to playing with them so I can see them on stage. I really like the last Shannon Wright record, and she's always incredible live. The best show I've seen in the last few years was the Shoghaken Armenian Folk Ensemble, but then again I don't get out much.
The digital era has changed the indie music scene tremendously since the New Year's last album and major promotional push ... what do you guys think of the music blogging culture and its effect on the community as a whole? Is there beauty in its openness or has it lost its authentic allure thanks to dilution and over exposure?
We will probably be able to answer this question better after we've seen this record from start to finish, but in theory the openness of blogging culture is more appealing to me than the coterie of magazine and prominent website writers who dominated opinion-making several years ago.
Are there any web sites you read daily?
I don't read read any music websites daily, although I do go to Steve Albini's website, Electrical.com, when I have technical questions, or for amusement.
When you come to town do you make a point to stop at any favorite places to eat, shop or relax?
We always stay at the Austin Motel because of the pool. Smitty's in Lockhart is as good as bbq gets. It's also hard to beat shopping for records at Waterloo. The experience of shopping at Whole Foods has changed pretty dramatically over the last couple of decades, but we still go there to find things to defeat the bbq. I've never had a bad taco in Austin, but since I've hardly ever had tacos at the same place twice I wouldn't know where to begin listing my favorite places.
Thanks for talking with Austinist, Matt.
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these guys are total legends! great interview!