I, Colossus share insights on their new EP, 'Radio Silence'
Categories: CD Release, Local Music
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| Photo By Maia Baldauf |
I, Colossus' new songs are completely fragile, unbroken and charming. Radio Silence encompasses their writing process: keep it brief, keep it effortless, but keep it poignantly delicate.
The band shared with Gimme Noise the development of the new album before their EP release at The Entry on Saturday.
Band Members: Matt Sandstedt, Chris Parrish, Elliot Stewart
Gimme Noise: The music of I, Colossus seems to
flow from electro-indie acoustic rock to pop very easily. How did this
progression come about? What was the process like when writing these
pieces?
Elliot: I think
Matt just naturally spouts out this strange hybrid test tube baby of
what he likes and has no idea its unorthodox. To him, it's like saying, "This song is
kind of a waltz with drum machine in two different time signatures than
the piano," is not peculiar to him at all.
Matthew: I think Elliot is
right. I have a broad range of music that I appreciate, from fifties pop
(I love Phil Specter) to folk music to hip hop to electronic to club
bangers, and I strive to create music that is thought provoking and
something I would like to listen to. When I'm writing, I don't think in
terms of, "I want to make a great electro-pop song, so there needs to be x
kind of drum beat, y kind of melody, and z kind of synth part." I do
try to write songs that speak to a real experience. Sometimes the best
way to serve that purpose is by picking up an acoustic guitar and
playing some real earthy folk songs, and sometimes it means programming
drum machines for eight hours in my damp, dirty basement when I am
feeling neurotic and disjointed.
It's interesting how an artist's
description of their music differs from the press. How would you
describe the music of I, Colossus?
Matthew: I
am the absolute worst person at describing our band. If you ask me what
we sound like, I will give you seven different answers depending on the
day of the week. On Monday, we are Post-Punk-Electro-Pop. On Tuesday,
we're Indie Rock. On Thursday, we're a tight knit group of guerrilla
warfare trubadours using every weapon at our disposal, firing on all
cylinders battling to make our brand of music heard.
What was the story that you wanted to tell with this new album? Any songs that you are particularly proud of?
Matthew: Honestly,
there is not a cohesive story that is being told with this set of
songs. We tried to make the best of each song independently without
thinking about them relative to each other. That said, it inevitably
became a snapshot of a time and place. There is a perspective captured,
and although the songs may vary in theme or concept, they all come from a
person that has real thoughts, concerns, cares, heartaches and joys.
Elliot: I really
like how "Fear the Ghost" turned out. From start fo finish, the writing
process seemed really fluid and natural, and I feel good about what I
contributed to it. I don't know if anyone really knew where the song was
going, but where it ended up feels right.
Matthew: Yes, absolutely.
The melody is borrowed from the original classical version of the song.
It's an incredibly recognizable leitmotif and reframing the melody in a
different context was a lot of fun. There is a sense of romance in the
original "Ave Maria" that we attempted to capture and expound on but the
context is far different than the original.
Ave Maria by I, Colossus (Official)
Are there any artists, local or national, that you would want to collaborate with?
Ave Maria by I, Colossus (Official)
Are there any artists, local or national, that you would want to collaborate with?
Elliot: If by collaborate you
mean hug, which I'm sure you don't, I'd pick Thom Yorke. As for local
artists I'd say Mystery Palace, although I don't know how a
collaboration would work out. I just really like what they're doing, we
all do. They're a great band.
Matthew: To a cartain
degree, I, Colossus is already a collaboration between myself and other
musicians I share a kindred spirit with. As the principal song writer, I
bring some basic ideas to my boys, and both Chris and Elliot bring to
the table ideas I wouldn't have thought of myself. I relish the
opportunity to collaborate with any musician I respect. That said, I
would love to collaborate with Dessa of Doomtree fame. I think her
lyrical depth would play well against our sense of harmony.
I, Colossus seems very much to be a DIY band. Did you consciously choose this route?
Matthew: Being a DIY band means we have
absolute creative freedom, which is important to all of us. It does mean
a lot more work, but for us its about building a community in which our
music makes sense.
The music industry is shifting, and a group of three dudes who love to make music together is as capable of weathering the storm as an entire record label, where projects might get shelved, or not pushed as hard in favor of some more palatable band. But ultimately we are a DIY band because nobody will do this for us.
What do you think you do well as a DIY artist, and what do you need to improve?
The music industry is shifting, and a group of three dudes who love to make music together is as capable of weathering the storm as an entire record label, where projects might get shelved, or not pushed as hard in favor of some more palatable band. But ultimately we are a DIY band because nobody will do this for us.
What do you think you do well as a DIY artist, and what do you need to improve?
Matthew: I think one of the biggest advantages for DIY artists is
not having to fit "the sound" of a particular record label or scene. We
are free to pursue the interests and sounds we think are worth while.
As a listener and appreciator of music, I find value in that mindset.
What we could do better, and what we are exploring now, are different
avenues for our music to be heard. Having a national presence is a goal
for us, and building better connections across the country is something
we are working toward.
Elliot: Pushing your music to
the degree where an impact is made can be labor intensive -- physically
and emotionally. Finding press contacts, writing emails, designing
websites, and running flyers out around town can start to wear on you.
On top of that, there is always more to do. You really have to dedicate
your entire lifestyle to making something like this work. So managing
those tasks and making those sacrifices, as dull as it sounds, is really
what we're trying to improve on.
.
How did you learn to work within the music
business? Was it trial and error?
Elliot: Wait...are we in
the music business? They must be sending my check to the wrong address. I
have no idea what I'm doing, completely trial and error. Sometimes I
stress out over the tiniest things and its because I have no idea what I
should actually be stressed out about. It's vicious, but our friends
help us so much, we really couldn't do anything without them.
Matthew: I'm not sure that we
do successfully works within the music business. We certainly don't make
money. Any money we do make at shows goes right back into the things we
need as a band to function: gas so we can drive to play a show in Iowa,
buying stickers to give away at shows, etc.
Trial and error is the only way we get things done. We are constantly trying new approaches to meet goals. When things work we keep doing them, and when they don't, we try something else.
Trial and error is the only way we get things done. We are constantly trying new approaches to meet goals. When things work we keep doing them, and when they don't, we try something else.
Chris: In
order to be successful at anything, be it music or just life in
general, it's important to set goals for yourself and take chances that
might bring you one step closer to achieving those goals. Personally, I
don't think there are nessessarily "errors" when attempting to be
successful at something. Sometimes you take a chance and the outcome is
much better than you could have hoped for and other times the outcome is
much worse. Either way, there is always something to gain.
How
did you come to the conclusion to have your release show at the 7th
Street Entry, and what can we expect at the show?
Matthew: The 7th Street Entry is a staple of live
music in Minneapolis. The size of the room lends itself well to an
intimate performance. The room sounds great too, which is particularly
important for an electronic band -- where many of our sounds are in the
hands of the person behind the soundboard. Elliot: We'll be playing
songs we've never performed live before as well as reinterpretations of
old songs, and of course the new EP in its entirety. There will be live
painting, momentos from our childhoods, guest appearances and a lot of
fun, inventive music throughout the night -- and hopefully dancing. Minneapolis needs to dance more.
I, Colossus will release Radio Silence at the 7th Street Entry on Saturday, 1/14/2012 with The New Monarchs, Sex Burger and Tiger Vs.
18+, $5, 8 pm
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