Street: You guys are often compared to artists of the ‘70s, Neil Young and Bob Dylan. Were these the bands you grew up with? Eric Earley: Those are the bands we grew up on and our parents listened to. They were big influences on our music. But, you go through phases. Listening to different kinds of music, playing different kinds of music. As you get older you come back to your roots and the things that really meant something to you in a deep way.
Street: Who are your contemporary influences? EE: Beach House is a really great band. Also Fleet Foxes, and Midlake. Their last record was amazing. I like Deerhoof a lot too actually.
Street: The new album has a different feel than your three previous albums. Is this a new, mature Blitzen Trapper? EE: It’s kind of an illusion because I’ve made a lot more recordings than people know. I’ve probably made twice as many recordings that no one has heard. So it’s interesting to hear critics write about the evolution of the records but it really isn’t the evolution of the band. I’ve written songs like [those on] Furr since I was 20 or 21, like 10 years ago. I don’t like to put out the same record twice. [With Furr] I wanted to put out a more hi-fi, early ‘70s type of thing.
Street: What’s it like to be on tour? EE: This will be our first big headlining tour. We’ve opened for Iron and Wine, Steve Malcolm. It’s fun though, [because] when you’re touring you get to choose the band you tour with. The first headline tour we did was cool, we took the Fleet Foxes with us and they are just an amazing band to tour with. It’s kind of like band camp on tour ‘cause you all become friends and hang out.
Street: Have there been any crazy incidents during a show? EE: In Belgium, or maybe Austria, there was this group that would come to a lot of shows dressed up in monkey costumes and they would put bananas on stage; it was really strange. Usually on stage we’re just trying to make sure nothing breaks. We have a terrible history of all of our stuff breaking.
Street: What do you want fans to take away from your show? EE: I think with rock music it’s all about feeling cool. I just want them to feel cool. I want it to be an experience where they have melded with everybody in the room. Like the feeling you have when you’re flying down the highway in your mustang or whatever.
Street: Some have said that Led Zeppelin was the best thing since sliced bread. What are you the best thing since? EE: Maybe maraschino cherries. You know the cherries used for cocktails? Actually, the best thing since the Hubble Telescope. Or, no, missile command.
Street: If you were going to throw a rager tonight, what theme would you have? EE: I think I’d choose moustaches. Yeah, a moustache party, and we would drink foamy beverages that would get caught in your moustache.
Street: In "Not Your Lover" you mention a moonwalking cowboy. What exactly does that mean? EE: (Laughs) I don’t know, that’s a good question. It’s just like a dreamer, you know? There’s no cowboys left really, and it’s hard to walk on the moon.
Hometown: Portland, Oregon Label: Sub Pop Latest Release: Furr Genre: Experimental country/folk Sounds Best When: In a slow-rolling country caravan 99-Cent Budget Choice: "Futures & Folly," Wild Mountain Nation
