Photo courtesy of michaelmurphyiv.com
Progressive bluegrass outfit Punch Brothers, led by Nickel Creek's Chris Thile, perform Sunday, Nov. 7 at Cat's Cradle in Carrboro. Recess' Josh Stillman spoke with bassist Paul Kowert to find out what's in store for the show and to get the real scoop on the group's most recent album, Antifogmatic.
Brothers have the foundations of a bluegrass band, but the sound is something wholly unique. How would you describe the music you’re making?
The last record we made is all original material. We can’t help but use elements of all the music we love. One kind of defining characteristic is that our influences come from a pretty wide spectrum of music. It’s actually impossible to classify our music, you just have to hear it. Our instrumentation is that of a bluegrass band, but our influences range from Radiohead and Wilco to Bach and Mozart and Bill Monroe. There’s a wide variety of influences and styles that comes through.
I’ve read the press release for your newest album Antifogmatic, which says the title refers to a stiff drink meant to stave off the ill effects of bad weather. I know you’ve been asked this before, but what’s the real story behind the name?
Our banjo player [Noam Pikelny], his brother stumbled across the term. It was at a time when we were in the throes of needing to find an album title. That came up and clicked for most of us. It’s good because people use music the same way as the description of an antifogmatic. People on the subway or bus sort of find themselves with their earbuds in steeling themselves for a journey or using music that way; it’s something they use to kind of fortify themselves. I think for all of us in the band there’s always some great records to listen to, and no matter what’s going on we can plug into that; we hoped the record would serve the same way. That’s kind of why we like the title. There’s a song on the record called “Rye Whiskey”, so it seemed to fit.
I notice that most of the songs seem to be about women and relationships, many of them failed or failing. Was there a particular theme you were looking for on the album?
It’s a question of true stories and fictional ones. [Mandolin player Chris] Thile wrote all the lyrics and I kind of mostly leave it up to him to take ownership of the meaning of songs from that perspective. He’s the one delivering the lyrics, except for Gabe [Witcher, fiddle player] who sings lead on “Don’t Need No”, which was more of a collaborative effort lyrically. They’re mostly Thile’s lyrics, so I can’t really speak for him. It’s interesting, people ask that question a lot, and the way I approach it, we’re a band of players first and foremost. To me music means exactly that, people who play instruments. We play instruments that have rich traditions, but we try to be unique voices on the instruments; that’s what music is for me.
Though you weren’t a member of the group when Punch [the band’s first record] was recorded, you’ve toured extensively for that album. Do you feel that the band’s sound has changed or evolved?
Certainly. Punch contains a 42-minute, four-movement suite, “The Blind Leaving the Blind”, which is Thile’s composition. Antifogmatic is a collection of shorter songs that are collaboratively written. That’s a pretty major difference right there. The nature of collaborative writing led to a more direct musical product: shorter songs, less of the long-form harmonic movements that writing solo can allow for. That’s the reason for the difference between the two records, the collaboration.
You’ve been known to play both album cuts and personal favorites, such as Strokes and Radiohead covers and classical pieces, in your live shows. What’s in store for your show at Cat’s Cradle?
We really mix it up and we do try to cater to the particular venue and audience, since we play such a span of places. We play everything from bars to larger concert halls where everyone’s seated; it’s a pretty big span. Cat’s Cradle, I’ve never been there, but we’re probably going to rock a little bit more than usual. I don’t think any Bach is in store for the show but you never know. We’ll certainly be playing a lot of songs from the new record and the hits from old one.
This is the fanboy in me talking, but what’s it like working with Chris Thile [of Nickel Creek fame]?
It’s been great. I’ve been in the band for two years, and I’m the only member who is not original. The whole band is astounding, every individual in the group. I’ve learned a lot from each of them; it’s a real joy playing with everyone. Thile is a great musical mind. He’s the rare combination of talent and a good person, so it’s a very happy combination. The whole band gets along very well. If it weren’t for the way the guys are, touring as hard as was we are wouldn’t be nearly as much fun.
Thanks a lot for your time. I’m looking forward to your show on Sunday.
So am I. I’m thinking about stopping by campus ahead of time and getting some Joe Van Gogh or Loco Pops.
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