DeadJournalist.com Exclusive Interviews:
Weinland
EXCLUSIVE Interview: Weinland
Chuck Norton, DeadJournalist.com
01.09.08
What you need to know about Weinland:
- Weinland is an Portland-based band;
- The band changed its official name from "John Weinland" to "Weinland" in November 2007;
- The band is comprised of John Adam Weinland Shearer, Aaron "Rantz" Pomerantz, Rory Brown, Ian Lyles and Paul Christensen;
- Shearer has spent the last six years working with emotionally disturbed teenagers;
- The band released their debut album Demersville was released in 2006 as John Weinland;
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Their new album, La Lamentor, will be released on March 4, 2008 by Badman Recording Co.;
- The band will be touring with Norfolk and Western in support of their new album.
For more information of Weinland, visit their Web site at www.weinlandmusic.com or their MySpace.com page at www.myspace.com/johnweinland.
DeadJournalist.com proudly brings you this exclusive with Adam Shearer of Weinland.
You will be releasing a new album, La Lamentor, in March. How would you describe the album's sound?
AS: Always a tough question ... I think there are a lot of different sounds on this record; we have the whisper pretty acoustic tracks, the dark piano ballad, a couple of more pop songs and rock songs.
The common thread is in the story told throughout the lyrics ... the words are kind of what tie the album together. It's a collection of dark stories about relationships between lovers, partners, friends and enemies all delivered with what could be a misleadingly positive affect.
Can you describe the creative process of writing and recording this album? What were there motivating factors behind it?
AS: We wanted to make a record and only had about five songs fully arranged with the band. It was definitely a write as you go effort. I spent a lot of time writing in the studio. We ended up recording 13 songs and slimming down to 11. When we started making the record we still didn't have label support, so we didn't have any outside pressure to put a second album out, we just knew we wanted to.
As far as writing goes ... going in I really didn't know what I would write about. I didn't want to write a bunch of the same type of acoustic relationship type songs like I did for our first record. I did however know that I was dealing with a tremendous amount of stress in my life (work, home, etc.). I think going into the studio without completed songs in hand forced me to write about what was happening on a day to day basis. On a couple of tunes I just sat down and thought up a story about something that happened that day or week and then paraphrased it with lyrics.
The end result is a bunch of really personal lyrics and really great moody instrumentation and arrangements from the band. I'm really proud of what we made; we didn't compromise on any of our creative ideas.
Which do you enjoy more, performing live or writing and recording?
AS: We all love both ... they are pretty well linked together. A great live set is the most validating and exciting experience I've ever had ... but it would suck if you didn't take the time to write good songs and then get them out to folks, who then come out to see you perform those songs. So it's hard to pull them apart.
I love writing and recording. It's a really exciting process because I can't wait to see what our friends think of the new work! Then I really can't wait to perform it. It's kinda like how drawing a picture in kindergarden was pretty kick ass for art's sake, but what really blew your mind was seeing your work displayed on the Frigidaire.
What is your favorite part of performing for a live audience?
AS: We're at the point where if we're lucky there will be a few people in the audience that know the words to our songs ... looking out and catching a glimpse of someone singing with you is absolutely amazing. There is a shared energy from that which makes them very much a part of the show.
The most bizarre thing that has happened to you while on tour is ... ?
AS: Funny question, because you know we can't tell you. We haven't made it yet ... so we might still have to go home someday!
A good story though, is this: we were playing a place in San Fran that is part club, part laundry matt. After the show I was doing my laundry in the back and a guy started yelling, "Gun! Gun!"
We had a camera guy along with us, so I quickly called him on his cell phone and told him to get over to my side of the joint with his video camera. He ran over and got an interview with the accuser. (Video to right.)
I love how the doors are playing in the background.
Will you be touring in support of the album? If so, have any dates been set?
AS: Certainly. We plan on spending about three months on the road in 2008. We're starting in April with a support tour for Norfolk and Western. Routes and dates will be posted on our MySpace page and Web site as soon as they're available. The booking is in process.
Who and where was your first concert?
AS: My first rock show - cause I grew up in a small town in Montana - was a road trip with my Mom and two buddies to see the Meat Puppets perform in Missoula, Montana at the University. It was rad. I was probably 14.
What artist/artists influenced you most as a musician?
AS: Neil Young. He is one of the many artists who helped me learn emotion as an instrument. There are only so many notes, chords, progressions ... it can be very limiting If you can't get passed it.
Is there a band or artist that you've discovered this part year that you've recommended to your friends?
AS: I just recommended Justin Power to a booking agent today. He's a PDX songwriter I really like.
Who were you listening to in 1998?
AS: Morphine, The Dead Milkmen, Elliot Smith, Dinosaur Jr.
Which do you prefer: Vinyl, CD or MP3?
AS: I prefer Vinyl. My first record ever I only made in vinyl ... people have a hard time supporting you in that format. Next up, CDs. I appreciate MP3s for their "sharability" but I'm sad to see the physical aspects of the album slowly vanish.
One Drink, One Album, One Movie:
AS: Maker's and Ginger, La Lamentor, The Big Lebowski