Cardinal Playlists

“How’d you like to make some money?  How’d you like to maybe kill yourself for change?”

Genre: Rock/ Indie/ Power Pop

Brigg Fair is a three piece rock outfit that I have been in contact with for a while now. Their music is an eclectic breed of piano driven indie rock for fans of David Gray or Coldplay. They have just finished recording their debut album, which is set to come out in spring of this year.

I have had a chance to preview the record at length and have no doubts that it will receive a positive reception and help the band make a name for themselves. Below is a series of questions and answers from my many conversations with Brigg Fair’s singer Geoff Ereth.

CP:What were you listening to or going through that helped to influence your writing on the record?

GE: At the time I was listening to some things our producer recommended that he felt were relevant to our effort: Talk Talk, Mark Hollis ( specifically spirit of eden ) and Dennis Wilson. In general I listened to a bunch of older records that were recorded similar to how we were planning to: live, and in a big old room ( in our case it used to be the sanctuary of church )

CP: Sometimes I listen to an album and think “I’d like to write a part like that!” and then often I will sit down and write to accommodate the inspired part. Does that ever happen to you?

GE: Ya, I play along with records sometimes to get the mind going and inspired

CP: What artists are out now that you have been following?

GE: I’m digging the chillwave-ish stuff around now like Washed Out, M83, and Active Child.

CP: What is your writing process like? Do you go through drafts and drafts, or do you sing it in the shower until you know how the track will end up sounding? (I’m guilty of that second one.)

GE: Most of the time it’s a series of revisions. There’s a general idea or energy & theme I stumble on and carry with me. I like to record scratch ideas on my phone and then walk around for hours while digesting it

CP: What was the recording process like, then. You recorded live which is great, how long did each track take to get just right?

GE: It was difficult. With this approach, especially with vocals & the band, everything you play ends up on the record – it’s an actual aural snapshot of life at that moment. It takes a lot to not get caught up in that thought and have it color your playing too much. We resolved to not do more than 8 takes per song but in hindsight I think this was a little much. Recording like this is exhausting; I felt like I had run a marathon by the end of each session

CP: Was there any gear that you were excited to use that the studio owned and you didn’t? I’m referencing myself again, like when I got to play a rickenbacker for the first time.

GE: Yes, this place is special. There’s so many great records that were made there: Teen Dream ( Beach House ), the latest Fleet Foxes, the b52′s Comsic Thing ( Loveshack is on this album ).

The sound of the live room is subtle but very distinct. As far as gear .. it’s overwhelming: pultec eq’s, good 1176′s, every mic you’d ever need, and this one of a kind API console that used to be Geoff Daking’s.

CP: At what point did you know you wanted to be a musician, or that you wanted to really pursue success with music?

GE: I don’t know. I guess it became something I couldn’t ignore or live without about 5 years ago. Not sure if there was a pivotal moment … nothing memorable, just came to be.

CP: And what was the first tune that inspired you to pick up an instrument, or the first one that you learned to play all the way through?

GE: Hmm .. well I was more serious about guitar before piano so it would have to be what I was listening to when I first learned .. this probably be anything off of smashing pumpkins siamese dream

CP: Now, about the record. Tell me about the sound you were going for and how you feel about how the album came out.

GE: It came to life as it progressed in stages: first the core tracks with the band, then guitar and synth overdubs, and lastly the orchestral elements ( strings and french horn ). I wrote these in sequence, in real-time almost, with each preceding effort inspiring the next stage.

As far as lyrics, before this record I was uncomfortable with writing anything that actually had to do with my immediate life; the idea of a record/song as a real public platform didn’t sit well with me. This changed for this release though, I don’t think it happened intentionally, rather it just came about naturally as a way to cope with some changes in my life.

I’m really happy with how it turned out!

CP: How is this release different from things you’ve written or recorded in the past?

GE: First time working with a producer. I met Iestyn Polson at this popular Polish Donuts place in Greenpoint, Brooklyn. We talked about some similar interests and decided to do the record together – I’m really thankful he was involved and don’t think it would have sounded anything like it does if he hadn’t done the album.

CP: What are your plans to support the release? Tour right? With who and where? If you come to Tampa let me know.

GE: This is taking shape now. I’m guessing we’ll do both coasts a few times this year and hopefully Europe depending on how it’s received.

CP: And what would your dream tour be like, if you had the ability to tour with anyone at all.

GE: Dream tour would have been the Jeff Buckley Grace tour

CP: If you’re playing a gig and really impress some ladies, and they want to send some drinks up to the band… What should they send you if they want to impress you?

GE: Manhattan on the rocks with Knob Creek.

Brigg Fair’s debut album will be out in spring of 2012, keep tabs on its release by visiting the bands official website HERE.