Campfire Cassettes used to be the West Coast's best kept secret. And I say "used to," because now they have broke free into the national and international realm over the past month. The achieving band has created quite a buzzworthy name for themselves, as they are gearing up to play countless shows, releasing a new record named Screecher, and premiered their latest track "Lemonade Stand." I had the honor of chatting with Jonathan Buchanan from the band, to see what 2017 will bring for Campfire Cassettes. I can't wait!
Be sure to check out their tour dates, here:
1. What is the inspiration behind your upcoming record due out this Spring?
The new record, Screecher, is inspired by Los Angeles, a sprawling city full of desperate people, all trying to tell their stories. I guess these songs are my stories, coated in fiction so they're a little easier to swallow. Subjects like love, lust, religion, and murder...you know, the fun stuff.
2.What made you discover your passion for creating an eclectic sound of folk with indie rock, the 'anti-folk' if you will?
A friend of mine started playing the ukulele a few years ago. She told me how fun and easy it was and that she was writing her own songs with it. I had been singing in a rock n roll band for awhile but I wanted to write my own songs, so
I bought a ukulele and it was a big mistake! A big, silly mistake! It was fun and easy, but just like my niece's tricycle - you can't get very far and you look like an idiot. So, I said, fuck the ukulele and bought a cheap acoustic guitar. I practiced everyday and because I'm impatient, I started writing songs after about six months. The songs were simple; they had to be. And folk songs were the easiest songs to write. I didn't set out to play this kind of music, I was hoping I'd be a little cooler like Stephin Merritt (Magnetic Fields) or Jeff Mangum (Neutral Milk Hotel), but this is where I landed; the seeds were planted when I was just a kid listening to Merle Haggard and Elvis Presley.
3. What places in your mind do you channel to craft your songs?
Lyrics show up all the time. I'll be driving down the road, and "I'm Drunk, Let's Fuck" will pop into my head. It's just 4 words, but I know it's a song immediately. Originally it was about a horny, drunk guy in Any Town USA, but that was pretty dark, so I made the protagonist a woman, and that changed everything. After the next line came, "We can do it in the back of my pickup truck", the song just wrote itself.
4. What are your favorite venues to perform at? and if you had to choose, do you feel more comfortable in the studio or onstage, and why?
I love the Hotel Cafe in Hollywood and The Mint here in Los Angeles- Great sound, great staff, and a consistent lineup of amazing local and national bands. On the road, I love a dive bar, like the Wisco in Madison or the Swizzle Inn in Phoenix. A little spot with a built in crowd who up for anything. Bars like this know how to party and we love 'em for it. As far as the studio goes, I like writing and recording at home the most. I love being alone and experimenting, but recording these last 2 records at our producers studio has been amazing. It's so nice to leave the technical stuff to someone that really knows their craft. Jason Achilles Mezilis has helped us find our sound and helped us make our best two records. The stage is great too, but I sort of blackout and don't experience it the way I'd like. You're blinded by the lights; you can't see anyone. You hear the laughter, but there's no proof that it's not just a recording. It's weird, but I'm looking forward to getting back on the road regardless. It's the best!
5. How do you write your songs? What is the process like? Does it take you days, weeks, even longer? How does the perfect Campfire Cassettes piece come together?
A lyric hits me, basically I could be anywhere - in the car, a bar, even in the shower. I immediately record a little video so I don't lose the idea and when I get home I lay down a simple drum beat and scratch guitar track, then I start singing. At first, it's It's mostly nonsense, I'm just hoping to spit out something that makes sense. But eventually it starts to flow and I can have a rough demo in a few hours, and if Angie likes it, it's probably pretty good. If she's not into it I go back to the drawing board. Honestly, without her I'd just be a singer/songwriter telling dirty jokes.
6. How did you create a sound throughout time that is so uniquely your own? What defines the Campfire Cassettes sound to you?
Our sound, is defined by the lyrics and confined by my guitar playing. The lyrics come from a unique perspective, but the music comes from an old, familiar well. I can write more elaborate songs in my head, but I can't play them, so I keep it simple and let the band spice it up and put their own spin on it. Angie, Todd, and Bobby really go out of their way to give each song a unique sound.
7. This year is already shaping up to be a huge year for you. What do you hope to accomplish in 2017?
Yeah, I guess it is. We're releasing our 3rd, full length album and we're going on a cross-country tour for a month. We're really excited to see our fans, family and friends at our shows. During the second half of the year I'd like to focus on Los Angeles; it's our hometown, and we're relatively unknown here but I think with this album, Screecher, we can change that!
