Pornographer, now Destroyer

Dan Bejar built his name as Destroyer but has become equally well known for his involvement in indie supergroups the New Pornographers and Swan Lake. He has kept Destroyer going over the years and recently released Trouble in Dreams. Bejar is now embarking on a tour to promote his new album. recess' Andrew Hibbard recently spoke to Bejar via e-mail about his lengthy career, his side projects and his upcoming tour.

Given the unique nature of all your music and your songwriting especially, can you describe the process you go through when you write a song?

Even if it wasn't 3:43 a.m. in a Days Inn in Bismarck, N.D. right now with Blazing Saddles bubbling in the background, I would have a rough time describing the kind of foggy process from which a Destroyer song is emitted. All I can say is that these days it is generally a words-first scenario, though those words have gotta be vaguely musical from the get-go or I lose interest. At some point, I'll lose a wrestling match with a guitar and end-up strumming it to find some chords.

With so many people applying labels like cryptic poetry to your lyrics, what do you hope people get from your songwriting?

An overwhelming emotional response to cryptic poetry, like an anvil gut, like any other song.

Swan Lake, the New Pornographers and Hello, Blue Roses all have really unique styles and lineups. How do you balance all of these styles and influences with Destroyer?

They are all styles and influences that are mostly the result of people other than myself. Also, Destroyer music is a result of the people playing the music and the stuff they come up with, more than a conscious effort evoke a certain style or influence.

Trouble in Dreams, stylistically, is in the same vein as Rubies. Why did you decide to keep a similar feel with this album?

I don't think this is factually correct. The spilled ink-to-records-sold-and-people-coming-out-to-our-shows has always been very deceptive in the Destroyer world.

You've been working a lot with John Collins and Dave Carswell over the years even outside of Destroyer. How has this relationship affected your growth as a musician over the years?

I'm now a little obsessed with the perfect signal path. Which is something they've worked for years to keep me in the dark about. They also can turn a complete mess into a pretty good song... Which has given me a certain amount of undue confidence in the studio.

You've said before you are not a big fan of touring. This is a pretty extensive tour you are embarking on right now. Why is this tour so big and has your opinion changed after doing touring more extensively since being with Merge?

I never toured before signing with Merge, so I'm not sure how that has been a factor, since there's no before and after. This tour isn't much bigger than the smallest tour in the world. It's just more driving.

I read an interview after you released Rubies that said some of your best shows were in Chapel Hill. Why do you feel that way and what can we expect from your show at the Cat's Cradle?

Well, I think I was talking about the last show we played in Chapel Hill, during the Rubies tour... But it's true that I always look forward to playing in Carborro. Not sure what to expect from the show this time around. Loud, a little ragged.

Once you wrap up this tour, what's next?

Serious hiatus.

Destroyer will be playing Sunday, April 27 at the Cat's Cradle in Carrboro, N.C. The show starts at 9:30 p.m. Tickets are $12.