Hidden Track Interview: Manchester Orchestra, A Simple Math Equation

HT: Very cool title by the way. Was that a unanimous decision or did you got through the pains of wavering and vetting a bunch of options?

JC: I remember a couple of names being thrown around. We wrote the title track pretty fast, compared to others on the album. When Andy settled on Simple Math as a title, my mind started to immediately race about different implications. As a concept, “simple math” really seems to define the construction and tone of this new album.

HT: Here’s a random one for you. So, I saw that you hit the Lakers game the other day. Assuming that you grew up a sports fan, did you ever try to emulate a pro athlete (i.e., clothes, style, a Michael Jordan windmill dunk in your backyard?)

JC: MO had plans to go see the Lakers last week. At the very last minute our tickets fell through, and our band had to watch the game from a bar near the stadium (it’s a longer story than I even have time to get into.) In the last year, our band has collectively obsessed over the NBA. We started a fantasy league and I’m kind of frustrated by my seed in the playoffs right now. Fantasy Sports changed the way that I approach watching a basketball game. Suddenly, an individual’s stats and minutes begin to take priority over either team’s performance.

Growing up, I followed MLB constantly. Our label – Favorite Gentlemen – is so named because it rhymes with ‘Terry Pendleton’, among other reasons. During my childhood the Atlanta Braves had a pretty great run, hardly ever missing the playoffs. More than anyone else, I tried to emulate Tony Gwynn. While most kids looked up to Griffey, Jordan or Barkley (Thanks Nike), I aimed at a diligent and overweight left-fielder for the Padres. There still hasn’t been another player who’s approached pitchers and their tendencies within a strike zone as well, since Ted Williams.

HT: I’ve seen mentions in different interviews over the years about how grateful you guys are for the opportunity to work with a big label operation (Sony / Columbia) early in your career as a band. It’s funny, because you hear so many major label horror stories from previous eras, but nowadays we hear this more and more that working with the big organization is actually solid for bands, as they have good teams and decent people who know what they are doing. Would you recommend a similar situation to say, a friend’s band?

JC: I’m not sure that this could be repeated, but our situation is far from a horror story. We have met a whole lot of great people along the way, and I’m continuously impressed by the chance to work with a team as talented and creative as the one that surrounds us.

HT: As a band, you all seem quite keyed in to the indie scene and up to date on good new albums, but I’d be curious to hear if there are any bands or genres of music that fall far from the tree so-to-speak, meaning what is some of the stuff you guys listen to that might surprise people.

JC: Some surprising artists that I listen to may be: Sun Kil Moon, Sly and the Family Stone, Piebald, Jay Electronica, Fletcher, Gil Scot-Herron, Karate, Q and Not U.

HT: Who was your first musical hero?

JC: 14 Karat Soul

[youtube]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Top8ICjjMw4[/youtube]

HT: Alright, last one, I know the story behind the band name, but it also couldn’t have hurt in making your shows at Bonnaroo big ones given the Manchester relevance. How would you say those show stacked up against some of your all-time favorite performances?

JC: Last year was the second time that we’ve played Bonnaroo. Our show was a lot of fun, and we got to share a stage with some really exciting bands. The entire weekend was a blast, and I thought that Jay-Z absolutely owned his crowd.