Brandon Herbel
09/12/06, 02:10 PM
I want to first thank you for taking the time to sit down and answer a few questions for the fans and us at ap.net
Your welcome - thank you!
The new album Brother, Sister is coming out September 26th. Is there any personal or band significance behind the title?
It’s called "brother sun, sister moon," which is taken from a prayer by Saint Francis. From what I’ve read it seems he led a beautiful life and felt Such a kinship with all life and expressed it beautifully in simple words.
Do you have the lyrics written out or at least thought out a little bit before you put them to music? They seem to flow so well together in the songs but yet they tell a perfect story.
No, the lyrics come together in a scattered way, writing a whole lot and Then piecing together stories to fit the music the guys write. Some of these new songs were different, music and lyrics written together as one with a specific idea from the beginning but that's been the exception
I heard rumors of some guest vocals on the album. Who did you get and what was it like working with them?
Jay beck from Psalters sang, a deep baritone backup vocal. Josh bender sang Some silly bop bops with his pretty tenor. Jeremy Enigk doubled me on the Chorus of one song and took the lead on the end of another, which was a joy For us who are longtime fans of his.
The two previous albums each seem to have a certain theme that the songs all follow. Was it the same with this album and if so, how so?
The theme when I look back at the lyrics seems to be "I'm a screwball, we need each other, G-d is beautiful and good."
There is an obvious musical progression from A-B Life to Catch for Us The Foxes. Is there any noticeable progression on Brother, Sister?
Yes, even more obvious than the last progression for sure. Probably strayed Far enough that some people that liked us before won't like us anymore. But There’s no question to me that it's better music, so I don't mind
Does the band have a certain way you go about writing the songs or does it change from song to song?
It’s all different. Usually we all pull our own weight, write the parts for The instrument we play, but sometimes we help each other. Usually starts with a guitar line but not always. No formula, no routine. I
Don’t really know how it comes together
All the artwork on the album covers look somewhat similar. Is there a reason for that and who does it?
Vasily Kafanov does the paintings and then our label lays it out, taking our Direction. The first one fit so well and was so pretty we didn't think there Were anything wrong and so no need to look elsewhere?
A lot of the fans wanted you to elaborate to what the title A-B Life stood for?
We’re all going to die and our life is a vapor and a shadow
I remember seeing the band of the tooth and nail tour in 2003 and then saw you at sokol when Catch for Us the foxes came out and the band hardly played any older stuff. Is that because it doesn't mean as much to the band or is there a certain reason for it?
Yeah, we all like the direction we've headed musically and so the tendency Is to want to play newer stuff. Also it's not so much harping on about my Ex-girlfriend anymore. I’d rather sing about G-d, for clear enough reasons
When The Operation (MWY's former band, where Aaron was the drummer) disbanded, how did you decide to change your sound so dramatically to where MWY is now? Were there any other bands/musicians that influenced such a radical change?
I don't remember. Since I was the singer we were very limited. I wanted to Write lyrics but couldn't sing, so I did what I could. Those early days we were most influenced by ink&dagger, fugazi, smashing pumpkins, refused, black flag
How does it make you feel when a fan comes up to you to tell you that you've greatly effected and changed their life?
I usually think "uh oh."
It seems as if the band has a close-knit relationship with Cornerstone. Would you say this is your favorite place to play and if so why?
No. It’s nice cause we're friends with a lot of the folks who run it, and For some reason we go over really well there, which feels good in a way. Still, it's super hot and an overload of noise and a concentrated amount of People who want to talk to us, which creates in me the illusion of Disproportionate self-importance.
What were some personal and musical influences for you while growing up?
Personally, my parents. Musically, Billy Joel, Michael Jackson, the smiths, - Nothing too out of the ordinary
Any bands that you have heard lately that really interests you?
Warsaw village band. The shins are super good. Joanna Newsome
What have been some of the best experiences during tour?
Right now we're in Winnipeg with no way around. Our bus broke down near Seattle and was stranded for the past 6 days with a rusty front end and we Bummed a ride with our friends in the Fold and rented two vans so far to get Around. Our bus got out of the shop today but we just got word from our tour Manager who was driving it that it's broken down again, motor oil spewing Over the engine somewhere outside Spokane. We don't know what we're doing to Get to our next show, or get home after that. It’s just the five of us now, No crew or wives, no vehicle, borrowing gear to play, sort of winging it Each day. This here is up there among the best times.
Where do you see yourself after this band, and what kind of career would you take on?
Provider of dumpster-picked food and volunteer doer of odds and ends in Exchange for a stove to cook with and free couch to sleep on
That’s about all the questions I have for you. Is there anything you would like to say to all the people out there?
You poor thing, I can only imagine, and I'm sorry.
Your welcome - thank you!
The new album Brother, Sister is coming out September 26th. Is there any personal or band significance behind the title?
It’s called "brother sun, sister moon," which is taken from a prayer by Saint Francis. From what I’ve read it seems he led a beautiful life and felt Such a kinship with all life and expressed it beautifully in simple words.
Do you have the lyrics written out or at least thought out a little bit before you put them to music? They seem to flow so well together in the songs but yet they tell a perfect story.
No, the lyrics come together in a scattered way, writing a whole lot and Then piecing together stories to fit the music the guys write. Some of these new songs were different, music and lyrics written together as one with a specific idea from the beginning but that's been the exception
I heard rumors of some guest vocals on the album. Who did you get and what was it like working with them?
Jay beck from Psalters sang, a deep baritone backup vocal. Josh bender sang Some silly bop bops with his pretty tenor. Jeremy Enigk doubled me on the Chorus of one song and took the lead on the end of another, which was a joy For us who are longtime fans of his.
The two previous albums each seem to have a certain theme that the songs all follow. Was it the same with this album and if so, how so?
The theme when I look back at the lyrics seems to be "I'm a screwball, we need each other, G-d is beautiful and good."
There is an obvious musical progression from A-B Life to Catch for Us The Foxes. Is there any noticeable progression on Brother, Sister?
Yes, even more obvious than the last progression for sure. Probably strayed Far enough that some people that liked us before won't like us anymore. But There’s no question to me that it's better music, so I don't mind
Does the band have a certain way you go about writing the songs or does it change from song to song?
It’s all different. Usually we all pull our own weight, write the parts for The instrument we play, but sometimes we help each other. Usually starts with a guitar line but not always. No formula, no routine. I
Don’t really know how it comes together
All the artwork on the album covers look somewhat similar. Is there a reason for that and who does it?
Vasily Kafanov does the paintings and then our label lays it out, taking our Direction. The first one fit so well and was so pretty we didn't think there Were anything wrong and so no need to look elsewhere?
A lot of the fans wanted you to elaborate to what the title A-B Life stood for?
We’re all going to die and our life is a vapor and a shadow
I remember seeing the band of the tooth and nail tour in 2003 and then saw you at sokol when Catch for Us the foxes came out and the band hardly played any older stuff. Is that because it doesn't mean as much to the band or is there a certain reason for it?
Yeah, we all like the direction we've headed musically and so the tendency Is to want to play newer stuff. Also it's not so much harping on about my Ex-girlfriend anymore. I’d rather sing about G-d, for clear enough reasons
When The Operation (MWY's former band, where Aaron was the drummer) disbanded, how did you decide to change your sound so dramatically to where MWY is now? Were there any other bands/musicians that influenced such a radical change?
I don't remember. Since I was the singer we were very limited. I wanted to Write lyrics but couldn't sing, so I did what I could. Those early days we were most influenced by ink&dagger, fugazi, smashing pumpkins, refused, black flag
How does it make you feel when a fan comes up to you to tell you that you've greatly effected and changed their life?
I usually think "uh oh."
It seems as if the band has a close-knit relationship with Cornerstone. Would you say this is your favorite place to play and if so why?
No. It’s nice cause we're friends with a lot of the folks who run it, and For some reason we go over really well there, which feels good in a way. Still, it's super hot and an overload of noise and a concentrated amount of People who want to talk to us, which creates in me the illusion of Disproportionate self-importance.
What were some personal and musical influences for you while growing up?
Personally, my parents. Musically, Billy Joel, Michael Jackson, the smiths, - Nothing too out of the ordinary
Any bands that you have heard lately that really interests you?
Warsaw village band. The shins are super good. Joanna Newsome
What have been some of the best experiences during tour?
Right now we're in Winnipeg with no way around. Our bus broke down near Seattle and was stranded for the past 6 days with a rusty front end and we Bummed a ride with our friends in the Fold and rented two vans so far to get Around. Our bus got out of the shop today but we just got word from our tour Manager who was driving it that it's broken down again, motor oil spewing Over the engine somewhere outside Spokane. We don't know what we're doing to Get to our next show, or get home after that. It’s just the five of us now, No crew or wives, no vehicle, borrowing gear to play, sort of winging it Each day. This here is up there among the best times.
Where do you see yourself after this band, and what kind of career would you take on?
Provider of dumpster-picked food and volunteer doer of odds and ends in Exchange for a stove to cook with and free couch to sleep on
That’s about all the questions I have for you. Is there anything you would like to say to all the people out there?
You poor thing, I can only imagine, and I'm sorry.