Matt Pond PA
Matt Pond talks The Dark Leaves, favorite shows and why he moves around so much.
Matt Pond PA has consistently released some of the best indie rock in the last decade with only one constant throughout the entire discography; Matt Pond. HEAVE had a chance to pick his brain and talk about the new album.
HEAVE: I know this is a pretty common move for musicians – but what was your motivation to move from Philly to Brooklyn in 2003?
Matt Pond: My witch doctor told me it was a good idea to go toward the light. At the time, I was in a dark place and had to get out.
New York was an ambitious place with an acceptance of ambitious energy. Although that's beginning to fade in light of "h" word and it's followers. Disaffection is the end of humanity - both for the arts and for political compassion. Strangely, the fashionable left and the hard political right are very similar.
I'm going to leave Brooklyn soon, as well. It's not the cities, it's me. I need to experience something I haven't experienced. It's not like I ever promised forever. I love you. Goodbye.
HEAVE: Where did the creative idea for releasing The Threeep come from?
Matt Pond: The Threeep let's us think outside of albums. Albums that have made me lose my mind from time to time. Simply, I like the word and it folds together to make a cube.
HEAVE: The Dark Leaves was recorded in a remote cabin in upstate New York. How did you let the location impact the recording?
Matt Pond: I'm in that cabin right now, stirring up ideas for the next one.
Since The Dark Leaves completed the cycle of redemption, I'm learning a thing or two from these wasps building nests under the eaves. They don't require any redeeming and if you mess with them, you'll get stung. I like that as the seed for the next songs.
HEAVE: Every review I see throws around the word “consistent,” yet you’ve had more than a few changes in the band at the least. How do you keep things musically consistent (in a good day) with all the changes surrounding the group?
Matt Pond: Consistent makes me sound homogenized like milk. And I really don't like milk. Our albums will always have my songs. That is a constant. To me, the music travels all over the place without intentionally obscuring 'the point'. If someone could tell me what the point is, I'd really appreciate it.
HEAVE: Your tour with Wintersleep started a bit ago – any superstitions or things you HAVE to do while on the road?
Matt Pond: There's always eating. But I believe everybody has to eat. I'm not superstitious. Nothing is written, as either fate or luck or magic. This is why I love driving - because we all become mini-gods. Some those mini-gods out there should learn the rules of the road, relieving my mind of so much unnecessary stress and strain Honestly, I think there has to be one solid night of kick ass dancing, carousing. A night where both bands get awkward with each other until dawn.
HEAVE: Favorite show you’ve ever been to?
Matt Pond: My memory only goes back so far. Last year, I forgot who I was when I saw Jarvis Cocker. Same thing happened at Beach House. Both amazing.
Posted by Wes Soltis on Jun 28, 2010 @ 7:07 am
