They're so called Solo Career
Solo Career's debut album, Season Finale, is it an approach to the end, or the beginning of a new direction?
The title refers to this albums as being the best recordings from the eight gigs we played between 1997 and 2002 and our first season both in terms of performance and recording quality. It also seemed like a humorous title for a debut. If we ever get around to doing a second release, we already have a working title: Return To Form.
How did you create this album based on two live improvised performances, and make is sound so tight?
It's usually just a matter of listening to what everyone else is doing, then adding something that fits, even if that means just laying back. A key to what makes the performances sound so planned is that after we were done, I took the recordings home and did a lot of micro-editing to improve the flow - you know, two minutes here, two seconds there, wherever it was needed. The album is just under 43 minutes, but the unedited version runs about an hour. There wasn't much to remove, just a few things here and there to tighten it up. When one guitarist takes a lead, the others know instinctively to back him up. They're all great lead players, but what makes them special is their excellent knowledge of chordal theory. It's all I can do to keep up with them! One thing that helped the 2002 recordings was that all three guitarists set their amplifiers up next to each other to one side of the drums, while I set up my bass amp on the other side. That way they could really hear each other well, while I was able to stay out of their way.
The album really captures the band jamming as a whole, how is this sound achieved during a live show?
Well, the three guitarists have all worked together in different musical projects for years. It's really hard to gauge how well an improv session will turn out. The tracks from 1997, with only two guitarists, are a good case in point. It was one of our first gigs, and both Nels and I had played with Ken before, but Ken and Bob had never met before the show. Ken literally introduced himself to Bob, plugged in, and away we went!
It took about five minutes for us to warm up, but once we did, it ended up being one of our best shows, which is why it takes up almost half of the CD.
Season Finale captures the spirit of your live performances, but there must be perks to studio recordings.
As much fun as it can be to perform live without a net, there are often too many barriers that prevent things from going as well as one would like - for example, lack of a good mix on stage. The two tracks which we did in 2002 were done in a rehearsal space. We were originally set to do a live gig that weekend, but the club double-booked, and as Woody was still out of town until the night before, touring with Bobby Womack, I couldn't very well set another date without his consent, so luckily for us, everyone was available that afternoon. It was a much more relaxing atmosphere than a live gig, where you're on and off in 40 minutes with no time to discuss different ideas, and where you may not even be able to hear each other properly. In the rehearsal space we were able to take long breaks between jams and decide what to do next. I don't know when or if our next gig takes place, but I'd like it to be a little of both: a rehearsal space where we can take our time, but with a few invited friends to give it that live vibe.
As an improv band, could you describe your music creating process till your final creation?
We basically just start, then go until we're done! As long as everyone keeps their ears open, we can go all sorts of unexpected places. The most important step is getting the right musicians in the first place. Bob and I are basically the core members, and while we've enjoyed working with different musicians, it really seems that these three guitarists are the closest to what we try to achieve, through a combination of their sheer playing ability and their mountains of sound processors. The piece called “Returning”features the two guitars and bass utilizing effects to make us sound like we're playing in reverse - that was all live, none of that was added afterwards.
When I listen to your music I hear all kinds of genres boiling: a little blues, a some rock, ambient, funk, even moments of metal. What music influence your own?
We hear a lot of those things too, but we never really think about it while we're playing - just pull whatever tricks out of the hat.
Bob and I wouldn't call ourselves seasoned 'jazzbos,' but we do like to swing, and the abilities of the three guitarists are really beyond reproach in that area. All three of them are highly sought after on the Los Angeles jazz and improv scenes. We're very lucky to have worked with them. Of course, having them as friends in the first place doesn't hurt! When I play music like this, I try to play in a style similar to what Hugh Hopper did in Soft Machine. One trick that goes a long way is for the bass to avoid playing the thirds of a chord - this allows the other instruments more freedom in the chords and solos they choose. I guess, the more you live, the more you're able to put it into the music. I think a lot of the playing on "Season Finale" is very organic, with the solos coming about naturally, rather than just spewing out rapid-fire cliches.
I think of your music as a storm brewing, spinning around until it completely engulfs the listener especially the track, “Ms Furry”?
Yeah, that track really swirls around, almost without resolving until the end, where it only really resolves by segueing into the next track. It's pretty tense, so it's nice when the next piece comes in and provides a little relief.
I have noticed this album's celestial art cover, and the final song entitled “the Painted Desert” could you describe your music's relation to art?
Improvising is a lot like impressionistic painting, which is probably why those Paul Whitehead art pieces fit it so well. Although we didn't set out to use art that corresponded with specific tracks, I've always thought the two-page piece on the inside of the booklet seems like a painted desert.
What does the band plan to do now?
I have no idea. Nels is busy with Wilco. Woody and Ken have their own bands, as well as paying gigs. Bob has a day job, besides playing in a million bands around LA. I've barely been playing any music myself these days - not sure why, probably just my muse hit a cul-de-sac or something. I've been playing for decades and I've had a great time, but right now other interests are beckoning. Never say never, though.
Although Season Finale marks the rockn' quintet Solo Career as a band. They are worth the listen. They are also a classic example of what a talented, group of musician-friends from L.A. can on-the-spot, jam-up.
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