Shearwater talks music and new album before Iron Horse stop
Brian Wood, Collegian Staff
Issue date: 5/6/08 Section: Arts & Living
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On June 3 Shearwater release their latest album, "Rook," which can easily be described as the group's strongest and most far-reaching offering to date. On May 7 the first tour in support of the new album reaches the Iron Horse Music Hall in Northampton at 8:30 p.m.
In anticipation of the event, Meiburg spoke with The Massachusetts Daily Collegian via telephone, sharing his insight on touring, the creative process, and the excitement over the new album.
Brian Wood: I've always been fascinated by musicians who have the energy and drive to perform in multiple bands, especially when they offer such different sounds, such as the case with Shearwater and Okkervil River. What does playing and writing music in each band really offer you from a creative standpoint and how do they differ?
Jonathan Meiburg: I think it's a great exercise for your brain. There is a great pleasure in being in a side band and reinforcing someone else's songs and trying to figure out what you can do to make the song better, there is a lot of freedom in it. Whereas when you are writing your own songs there is a very different sort of energy or power to it that is also really exciting, but to me it really feels less free once you've written the song. Your path is really laid out for you as to what you are supposed to do. And there is also a great difference between being the person who is standing up front and is sort of being the focus of the show versus being on the side and not necessarily being that person. Both are fun in completely different ways.
BW: Since you have experienced both, do you prefer being the focal point of a performance or being off to the side supplementing it?
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