16 October 2006 -

EXCLUSIVE Interview: Midlake
Chuck Norton, DeadJournalist.com

In 2006, Midlake released The Trials of Van Occupanther, the band's second full length release on the Bella Union label. Formed in Denton, Texas at the University of North Texas, the band has crossed various musical landscapes in their seven years together.

Much like many critically acclaimed bands before them, Midlake has seen greater success in the UK than in the US. With an ongoing European tour, and an upcoming tour in Australia, the band will attempt to continue to increase its overseas popularity.

The band - comprised of Tim Smith (vocals, guitars, keys), McKenzie Smith (drums), Paul Alexander (bass), Eric Nichelson (keyboard) and Eric Pulido (guitar) - is currently in the midst of a European tour with shows on October 17 in Munich, October 18 in Stuttgart and October 18 in Bonn, Germany.

For more information on Midlake, visit their Web site www.midlake.net or their MySpace.com page at www.myspace.com/midlake.

DeadJournalist.com brings you this exclusive interview with Paul Alexander of Midlake.

How does coming from a jazz background affect your approach to writing and recording new songs?

PA: There are pros and cons to coming from a jazz background. The downside would be that it is easy to over think the music and get a bit too heady, instead of emotional. In regard to that situation, we mostly had to forget what we knew about music theory. On the other hand, our melodic sense is relatively developed for rock, so improvising is easier.

How has the band’s sound evolved over the years?

PA: Our sound has changed quite a bit. Overall, that is because the music we listen to has changed over the years. Early on, we listened to Radiohead, Bjork, The Pixies, My Bloody Valentine, etc. Then we moved on to The Flaming Lips, Grandaddy, Mercury Rev. While writing and recording ...Van Occupanther we were mostly listening to 70's folk rock. Fleetwood Mac, Neil Young, CSNY, The Band, Joni Mitchell - all of that stuff.

Did you find it difficult to record The Trials of Van Occupanther?

PA: Yes. We recorded and mixed the album at our home studio in Denton. We have some fairly crude recording equipment as well as a limited understanding of recording techniques. So recording took a lot of trial and error, especially sonically. Sonic and arranging problems often required us to record a song two and three times before we had it sounding "album worthy". I think we got what we wanted for the most part, but there are a lot of flaws.

For the band, what is the most important part of your live performances?

PA: Well, creating beauty, sincerity and honesty are imperative while we are writing and recording. So live, the most important thing is to bring those attributes into the performance. There is a saying, "The whole is greater than the sum of its parts."

The band just announced an Australian tour. What led the band to explore Australia as potential area to tour?

PA: Well, our label Bella Union was able to begin work with a label in Australia called Speak n' Spell. Fortunately, the response to our album in Australia has been very good. Otherwise it would probably be very difficult to tour there unknown. The country is huge and far away, so touring is expensive.

Other than performing, what is the most enjoyable part of these international tours?

PA: Well, traveling to new cultures and historic cities is great life experience. Though touring doesn't always provide much time for absorbing it. It is still very enjoyable.

Have had the opportunity to work with any of the artists that influenced you musically?

PA: We opened for The Flaming Lips in Europe. That was pretty bad ass.

What were you listening to in 1996?

PA: Bill Evans, John Coltrane, Frank Black, Ween, Miles Davis, My Bloody Valentine, Sonic Youth, Mercury Rev, Jane's Addiction, Wes Montgomery

Midlake