|
|
|
|
JEFFREY
CAIN
A guitar
player, singer, songwriter,
composer, producer
and all around great guy, Jeffrey Cain took a
few moments out of his very busy schedule to
answer some questions. He's a founding
member of Remy Zero, one of the most heralded
and critically acclaimed bands from the
nineties. They also have the distinct honor of
calling Radiohead one of their fans. Jeffrey has
composed music for film
and tv, most notably the theme song to
Nip/Tuck for which he received an Emmy
nomination in 2003.
He is currently planning the release
of a new album under the name Dead Snares.
First off, congrats on the latest album...
it has been in constant
rotation since you gave it to
me. When is the release date and are you
planning on touring?
As of now Dead Snares "Speak the Language"
is only scheduled for a vinyl release {may 29th}.
And yes, my friends and I have been planning
on touring behind the album.
It might be good for me to leave the studio
for a while.
Tell me about making it... who's on it,
who produced/engineered,
where, etc? A little birdie mentioned it was
all done on tape.
The album was produced by Darrell Thorp {Air,
Radiohead, Beck} and myself .
I wrote and recorded most songs late night
at SoundIsidore Recordings.
Darrell came on board when half the record
was written and began mixing.
I truly thought I would only record a few
songs and never had any intention of
releasing the music.
The act of recording it was really enough,
but Darrell helped convince me to finish this
record.
I wouldn't have done it without him.
We cut everything on a Neve 53 series
broadcast board to Pro Tools, though all the
ambient elements were first cut to an old 16
track 2" machine.
Then mixed to half inch and mastered for
vinyl with Stan Ricker.
I have to say that making a record for Vinyl
release reminded me of why I love music.
I am not a luddite, I love and embrace
technology.....but I believe vinyl works with
music.
It outlasted the 8 track, the cassette, and
now the cd. a great song is a great song on
any medium...... but the depth of vinyl is a
completely different experience. So don't
miss out.
You had mentioned to me a couple months
back that you're working on
putting together your own label... is this
something you've always
wanted to do and/or is the time just right
with the development of
online marketing and distribution? Are you
planning on self-releasing
the Dead Snares album?
Over the past few years, I've been working on
setting up a few recording labels.
SoundIsidore Recordings {featuring artists
recorded in our studios}, Horsethief {dark
soul music}, and Bon Secour {an instrumental/
experimental label} .
I want to put out music I love and feel
should be heard. I have so many friends who
make beautiful music that can't get their
records released through the existing
channels. The doors are opening, it is a
great time for the artist ...... soon the
only people left in the music business will
be people who love and NEED music.
Your old band, Remy Zero got together
again recently to do some new
songs... what was the impetus and are there
any plans for another
album?
Remy did get together for a few weeks this
year, and we wrote and recorded a lot of
music. I know we will continue to come
together and write for the rest of our
lives.... it's strange, we never really felt
like a 'band' even when we were. A new
album? We would never just throw something
out there .... everyone in the band cares too
much. But, I'm sure there will be another
someday.
I really love the album you did (Isidore)
with Steve Kilbey of the
Church. Explain the writing and recording
process given the fact that
you guys live 8,000 miles apart. Any plans
for another Isidore album?
Yes, Steve Kilbey and I met years ago and
somehow recorded and album without ever being
in the same room {or country}.
We have begun the second Isidore album and
are following the same method as the first. I
record the tracks at home, mail them to
Steve in Australia, he sings, then mails them
back to me for mixing. I think we like the
mystery of it all.
How have things changed in the music
business since Remy Zero signed a deal in the
mid-nineties? Do you
think the changes are
driven by technological advancements or bad
business? (I know... a
loaded question).
It has actually all come a bit full circle.
I see the indie labels thriving because
people want to feel something real and want
music from sources they trust.
No one trusts radio, MTV, major labels .... it
all feels beyond calculated and condescending.
Technology and bad business have killed the
old record industry.
The best records I've been apart of in the
past few years have had little or NO
budget.......
Music is not in danger, just the
industry.
You're always in the studio, tinkering
with new gadgets and sounds...
what are some of your favorite tools of the
trade? Any "go-to" tricks
or "old stand bys" that come to mind?
I always like to give myself parameters ....
in a world of endless options.
for this week it is ......mono drums {one mic
compressed}, tape delay, hard pan guitars and
percussion.
Doubling a bass line with single piano notes
sounds good too.
What are you listening to lately?
Anything by Moondog,
'Hospital' by Cass McCombs, 'Credit' by Ariel Pink , Sanders Bohlke, Cat Power.
So you're leaving LA (I completely
understand)... are you relocating
the studio? What will you miss the most (If
anything)?
I am moving from los angeles after 12 years.
I've loved Hollywood, all the people who
complain must be hanging out in lame bars
with bad actors .
I've been blessed to have so many lovely,
talented friends here.
But of course, I am looking forward
to recording new albums in new places.
|
|
|
