Sebastien Grainger & The Mountains fue de las cosas más subestimadas del 2008. El es el ex baterista y cantante del ruidoso dúo Death From Above 1979. Desde que la banda anunció su ruptura en 2006, el ex bajista Jesse Keeler rápido siguió con su proyecto de dance (MSTRKRFT), pero Sebastien desapareció por un tiempo.
Poco a poco, Sebastien fue ventilando música nueva por su MySpace. Estas primeras eran más bailables y un poco electrónicas. Tiempo después tocó su primer concierto con un repertorio más rock n roll. A diferencia de su banda antigua, se presentó tocando guitarra y cantando. Con el paso de los meses continuó compartiendo nuevos temas (casi todos demos) en línea.
En el último cuatrimestre del año, Sebastien firmó con el sello discográfico Saddle Creek para lanzar su álbum debut. Esto fue ya hace un año. En su momento, y ahora mismo, el disco me parece que ha disco demasiado subestimado. Esta producción contiene una dosis de rock n roll americano, power pop, soul, líneas de bajo gruesas, guitarras fuzzy, ritmos sólidos e influencias de Prince. En otras palabras, nada trendy que los medios que se dedican a explotar artistas y crear hypes quieran explotar.
También, otra razón por la cual esto no ha sido igual de popular que su banda pasada, es porque no es tan gimmycky (DFA1979 era bajo y batería nada más) al tener un formato de banda tradicional (guitarra, bajo, batería y voz). Además, la música es más madura, aunque no tanto como para que parezca adult alternative o adult contemporary music.
Ésta es una colección que siempre sonará refrescante. No importa cuantos años pasen, nunca parecerán añejas, anticuadas o algo que solamente tiene sentido su época de confección.
El año pasado le hice una entrevista a Sebastien por e-mail. Lo iba a publicar en otro lado, pero esos planes nunca se concretizaron. Por eso, 12 meses luego la publicaré por aquí. Esto es él hablando de cada canción de su álbum:
1. Love can be so mean
Sebastien Grainger: There is a mysterious bleep at some point during the bridge between the first chorus and the second verse. I don’t know what it is, though it sounds like the volume going up on a MAC… It should be noted that I recorded a lot of the guitars and vocals of this song TOTALLY NUDE…so, perhaps I inadvertently struck the keyboard with my….PENIS.
2. Who do you care for?
SG: Until I recorded the bridge to this song, it was going in the garbage! I wrote this song after watching a jeans commercial.
3. By cover of night (fire fight)
SG: Listen carefully for lyrical references to Corey Haim as well as the spirit of The Outsiders. This is my big hit. Whether you like it or not!
4. I’m all rage (live)
SG: The first verse is about how we all have tough times, from the absolute coolest cat, to the loneliest hobos.
The chorus is about my great-uncle uncle in Chicago who has been working all his life to provide for himself and his beautiful wife in a country that doesn’t do it’s best to care of the people that love it the most.
The bridge is a sub-conscious rip off of the bride from (Bruce Springsteen’s) BORN TO RUN.
The second chorus is also about my great-uncle and aunt.
The guitar solo is about my fingers feeling like they’re doing the right thing.
The rest is just visions of the past.
5. I hate my friends
SG: How do you say The Rolling Stones meets The Police in Puerto Rico?
My friend didn’t like some of the chords in this song, to him I say…”I HATE YOU!”
6. (Are there) ways to come home?
SG: This song is about my best friend that used to smoke crack. Thanks for not smoking crack anymore! You’re the best buddy! Let’s dream fly to a common landscape and high-five over a bay full of slapping whale’s tales.
7. Niagara
SG: This song is about a double murder that happened in my neighborhood. This was my attempt at working very little on a song. Just recording what I felt in a moment and not re-working on it. It’s a move towards laissez-faire recording and writing. I’d love to explore this on an EP in the near future.
8. (I Am like a) river
SG: This song is a long question with a short answer. The demo came out one night in the studio with such a specific spirit that it was hard to find it again for the record, but in the end it all came through.
9. Love is not a contest
SG: I have a friend who dated this girl for a long time and she had two faces. I remember seeing her sitting next to him at a restaurant and watching her hand rub another man’s leg. It’s a terrible sight. He was blind.
10. American names
SG: What more can I say about this song? It’s about being stuck in a job that sucks your soul. Purgatory.
It also sums up an attitude certain people have about moving from where they live in an attempt to cure their problems. You can’t leave…Most things follow you.
11. Meet new friends
SG: This was one of the earliest songs on the record. It began as an exploration of my voice and turned into something of a guide to being good in your life. Remember what makes you happy and spread joy.
12. Renegade silence
SG: Written around the keyboard part. This is officially a Rhythm Method song, but my band started playing it live and it got a great response from audiences so we absorbed it. Nick said I’d be a fool not to include it on the record. I ain’t no fool.
El 2008 en la música:
1. Favorite Sebastien Grainger and the Mountains show this year
SG: This has very little to do with a show, but we played Cleveland Ohio a few nights ago and ate BBQ at a radical little place called FREDDIE’S downtown at 1431 St. Clair Ave. We had a riot with Bluesman Lonnie and his friends, took some pictures and got BBQ boners. It was lovely.
2. Favorite performance by other band/artist
SG: Sharon Jones and the Dap Kings, Osheaga Festival in Montreal. Fantastic.
3. Best song you heard this year
SG: “In The New Year” by The Walkmen.
4. Best 5 albums you bought and why
SG: Beck – “Modern Guilt” – Super soul from a serious guy.
King Khan & The Shrines – “The Supreme Genius Of” – Super soul from a total fucking maniac.
Marvin Gaye – “What’s Going On?” – Super soul from the real deal with a side of “How’s your mother?”
Jay Reatard – “Blood Visions” – Perfect rock and roll.
ZZ Top – “Tres Hombres” – The prototype for rock and boogie. What a voice!
5. Album you’re looking forward to in 2009
SG: Josh Reichmann/Oracle Band – LP
Portal oficial.
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Death From Above 1979
The Rhythm Method (Otro proyecto de Sebastien)
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