Working with Steve (Albini) was probably the biggest thing. On our past few albums we had worked towards a lush, almost dense at times sound, with organ, strings, and several layers of sequencer tracks. We really wanted to strip it all down had have everything be as minimal as possible with fixed::context.
Describe your recording set-up...
Well, I don't have a recording set up, really. I have a computer, and I can do some things with that. But as far as Labradford is concerned, we have been making a practice of recording at studios like Sound of Music in Richmond,
VA, or Electric Audio in Chicago. At both of those studios they use 24-track, 2" analog tape machines.
What piece of musical equipment would you be most reluctant to part with?
Probably my Danelectro baritone guitar. There's nothing special about it. It's just a cheap reissue, but I like it a lot.
How and why did you develop your live show to be so devoid from crowd interaction and how has that helped and hurt your appeal to live audiences?
It was never intentional, to have show with little or no crowd interaction. When mark was singing, he used to speak to the audience occasionally. Once we took the mic away it put an end to that. We have worked our way towards having continuity throughout the 30 our 40 minutes we play, so that people don't feel the need to applaud after each song. But I really want any audience to feel free to dance, laugh, chat with their friends. I just think we are incapable of doing anything apart from playing the songs during that time. It would be like trying to chew gum and walk
simultaneously. I could see where some people might find our approach boring. "They don't say anything, they don't move around, they're just sitting there, for christsake!" We're not much to look at, I'll grant you that.
What are some of your favorite books? Authors?
I have been on a big nonfiction kick lately. reading stuff like 'Dark Remedy', by Rock Brynner and 'Abandon Ship!', which is about the USS Indianapolis. I don't know if I have a favorite author though. Flannery O'Connor, maybe? Flannery O'Connor or Robert Weissman.
Name some albums that had a great impact upon you in the past.
Van Halen 2, 'Drum', by Hugo Largo, the Jesus Lizard 'Head' and/or 'Goat', Autechre's 'Chiastic Slide', and 'Slaughter of the Souls' by At the Gates. Those are just a few that come to mind.
Are there any bands or artists currently creating work that you feel deserves greater attention?
Spokane. They have a new record out called 'the proud graduate', which is really good. the Rah-Bras, who also have a new record out, on Lovitt records. Anything by Russell Haswell.
The story goes that Kranky was started specifically to release the first Labradford album. Is this true?
Not exactly. Joel and Bruce had wanted to start a label, and I think Labradford happened to be the first thing they released. Had it not been Labradford, it would have been something else. Jessamine, probably.
Will you collaborate with Adam Wiltzie (Stars of the Lid) as Aix Em Klemm again?
I hope to. It might be more difficult now that Adam lives in Belgium.
Why did Mark stop singing in Labradford?
I think he just lost interest in it really. I don't know that he ever wanted to be a singer in the band. There was a time when he felt the vocals served a purpose, and he had ideas vocally, so it all seemed to work. Now, he's not so
interested, and I appreciate the idea that he feels no pressure to sing now, just because he had done so in the past. There are no rules in Labradford. Except 'don't interact with the audience during a live show'.
...thanks to Brian John Mitchell and Michael Anderson for their questions.
Bobby Donne: selected discography
Labradford
Aix Em Klemm
How did recording fixed::content differ from past efforts?
1997 - Mi Media Naraja - Kranky
1997 - the Kahanek Incident, Vol. 3 - Trance Syndicate
1999 - e luxo so - Kranky
2001 - fixed::content - Kranky
2000 - Aix Em Klemm - Kranky