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Storytime with The Thermals [Interview]
From The Thermals press release: "Personal Life was recorded to 2" tape and mixed to 1/2" tape, and vinyl enthusiasts will be happy to know the vinyl was mastered straight from tape, with no computers involved." Why was the decision made to do this? What do you think it added/changed sonically? And are you vinyl enthusiasts yourself?
Hutch Harris: every record we've made has been recorded to tape. the first two records were mixed to tape, as was the new one. we used it as more of a selling point with this record, but honestly a lot of people don't care! They are quite happy with shitty compressed mp3s. We love recording to tape, always have. There is a richness you get from hitting tape really hard that you don't get digitally.
Do you have a favorite song on the new record, Personal Life? Which one and why?
Harris: I love the "hits" - ""I Don't Believe You", "Never Listen to Me", "Not Like Any Other Feeling" and "Your Love Is So Strong". I like hits.
Any good stories come about while making the new record with Chris Walla from Death Cab For Cutie?
Harris: We were doing tequila shots late one night in the studio. I had one too many and I accidentally threw up all over the mixing board. It was not only disgusting but incredibly expensive, it cost about $6,000 to fix! We sent the bill to Kill Rock Stars.
You've worked with 2 labels - Sub Pop and Kill Rock Stars - and have mentioned in other interviews how much you've enjoyed working with them. What are your thoughts on "indie" labels versus major labels versus self-releasing albums?
Harris: Sub Pop and Kill Rock Stars are our two favorite record labels of all time, so we consider ourselves very fortunate to have worked with both of them! We've never been on a major label and have never self-released so i wouldn't know how either of those options work or feel.
The music video for "I Don't Believe You" staring Carrie Brownstein is hilarious. It seems like there must be a funny story behind it - how did you come up with the idea?
Harris: The director, Whitey McConnaughy came up with the idea and we said "yeah, we like that one".
Anything with Carrie in sweatpants is cool with us.
The Thermals played a crazy amount of SXSW shows in 2009 - how was that?! Any thoughts on performing in or visiting Austin in general?
Harris: It was a wild time! Twice a day for four days which really isn't that much. Most our time at SX was spent by the pool drinking margaritas with the kill party stars crew. Austin is obviously a huge rock town and always fun to play. Good eats here too.
You guys are also touring up a storm this month. Now that you are in the midst of it, how's it going? Tired already or having a blast or both?
Harris: It's going great! But yes, both. Tired but having a blast. The van we tour in is like a 90's pop culture museum - Furbys, Gameboys, Alf dolls, New Kids on the Bloack trading cards… a fun time is being had by all.
Join in the fun with The Thermals at Red 7 this Saturday. [official]
