Backstage

Elvis Perkins in Dearland

April 2009 | Alternative

After band leader Elvis Perkins released the self-written solo effort "Ash Wednesday" in 2006 (an album born out of considerable personal tragedy for the singer/guitarist), he took it on tour with a group of accomplished musicians. This formed the basis of the new four-member band set up. Elvis is joined on the new album by long-time friends and collaborators Nick Kinsey (drums, clarinet), Brigham Bough (bass, saxophone) and Wyndham Garnett(guitars, keys).

we7 spoke to Nick about the formation of ...in Dearland, the new album and their influences...

The interview

How are you today Nick?

I am well today. I seemed to have packed a lot into my last day at home before leaving for the tour. I was able to attend the Western Massachusetts Sacred Harp Singing Convention. Otherwise I have been trying to spend some time with the people I care about before hitting the road again.

How did the album come about? It's more of a group effort than Elvis's first solo effort...

Although our band, Elvis Perkins in Dearland, did all the touring in support of Ash Wednesday, that record was made before this band really existed. We all were involved in different ways with the making of that record but Elvis Perkins in Dearland is the studio debut of our band.

How have you moved on musically from "Ash Wednesday"?

I think there are threads that connect the two records for sure, but the processes and the results achieved with this new one come from and arrive at quite a different place than "Ash Wednesday". There were four minds deeply involved in the development and realisation of these songs, which wasn't the case for "Ash Wednesday". Whereas "Ash Wednesday" featured well over twenty players, this record was more about realising the capabilities of our four man ensemble.

The first album drew comparisons to Bob Dylan, Tom Waits and Leonard Cohen - is it difficult to live up to this on the second record?

I don't think there is any feeling that we need to live up to any comparisons in our band. Arguably there would be more of an impulse to complicate a comparison. However, I know as individuals the four of us each have had intimate experiences with the work of the aforementioned composers and feel that if comparisons are going to be made those folks will do fine.

What is your favourite track on the new album?

That's a hard one and changes from day to day. I am very proud of Hours Last Stand and find myself outside myself most readily with that one these days.

Elvis has a reputation as a melancholic person. Have you found this to be fair from working with him?

I think that Elvis has a broad emotional range as an artist and as a human. Describing anyone in one word seems simplistic and unnecessary. I also wonder from time to time if people's preconceptions about Elvis sometimes cause them to miss out on some of his sense of humour.

Are you looking forward to some summer festival dates this year?

We are definitely excited to be playing at Bonnaroo in Manchester, Tennessee again this year. And I am personally really looking forward to seeing some great friends and musicians there.

Thanks for speaking to we7 today.