Q1. Can you give us a brief history of the band?
S: Throw Me The Statue began as a mixtape I made for a girl. Then it became a full on solo alias, and after a couple years I got my act together and finally made a record. I ran a label called Baskerville Hill with a friend of mine and we released Moonbeams in the later summer of 2007 in Seattle. Then Secretly Canadian got in touch with us soon thereafter and wanted to sign me, which I was very excited about. I had been assembling a band to play the songs from Moonbeams live, and the legit record deal and opportunity to tour really helped the whole group solidify. The four piece now of Aaron Goldman, Charlie Smith and Jarred Grimes and myself is the band known as Throw Me The Statue and together we recorded this new record Creaturesque.
Q2. CREATURESQUE is such a pop and comforting album, but how do you feel now that it’s completed?
S: We feel very happy with how it turned out. Those two adjectives match with how I hope people regard the album, so I’m glad you reacted that way!
Q3. Listening to the album, there seems to be an aspect of Prefab Sprout, Belle & Sebastian, Cake, and Beck in the sound, but are there any bands/artists in particular that you were influenced by that makes up what Throw Me The Statue is now?
S: I would also throw in the pot The Replacements, The Microphones, Spoon, Guided By Voices, The Kinks, Modest Mouse, The Shins, Arthur Russell and Roy Orbison.
Q4. Comparing CREATURESQUE with your debut album MOONBEAMS, what is the big difference between the two, or intentionally made different from the other?
S: Well one big difference that I just mentioned is that the first album was essentially a solo album, and this new record is a product of how the band plays together. So the rhythm sections sound bigger on this record, which is partly also a product of working with Phil EK. Another great benefit of Phil working on this record is that I think the different parts and instrumentations on a given song sit in their own right place in the mix, like the instruments’ colors are strewn about the room. Moonbeams has more of a sonic quality of instruments being stacked on top of one another.
Q5. Were there any particular theme that you had in mind making CREATURESQUE?
S: Youth, as compared to the way that feeling felt to me when I was in my early twenties. I’m 27 now, and a lot seems to change in those few years when you really can’t call yourself a kid anymore without it feeling complicated. But while getting older does have its complications I still very bright and youthful about the world, and I hope that the pop songs on this album will have a mellower hue and structuralism that befits the change in age.
Q6. What is it that the band value most in making your sound?
S: For me it’s all about making every song feel like a different room in a fantasy mansion. To establish a feeling or vibe or texture that makes you wonder.
Q7. How was it working with Phil Ek? How did that come about in the first place?
S: We had worked with him on mixing one song off of Moonbeams, the song “Groundswell.” Obviously he’s the kinda guy you stay in touch with, not only because he’s a hilarious and smart dude to talk to but he’s clearly so good at what he does and working with him in the studio is a joy. So when he agreed to take a major pay cut to work with our band I was flattered and elated. It was a great thing.
Q8. Can you tell us what are you singing about in Snowshoes?
S: Snowshoes is a song about eating mushrooms and sledding down a snow-covered street while listening to The Doors in Seattle one night last winter.
Q9. The first song on the album “Waving at The Shore”, what is this song about?
S: Being twisted up in love.
Q10. When do you write your songs mostly?
S: I go in phases of being a night owl, and typically those times are when I am most productive.
Q11. How would you describe the US indie scene now?
S: Geez, that’s a really tough one. There are just so many different scenes in the States. It would be negligent of me to try and describe one over arching scene that exists, there’s too much territory.
Q12. Any bands/artists you are interested in lately?
S: Yes, really enjoying Memory Cassettes, Adam Ant, Paul McCartney and John Lennon’s solo albums.
Q13. What are your upcoming plans? Any tour plans for Japan?
S: We would love to come over to Japan!! Perhaps next year, but it’s not confirmed so stay tuned!
Q14. Please give us a message to the Skream! readers.
S: We promise a high energy rock n roll show — please attend the party!
