Spider
Spider's recent album, The Way To Bitter Lake is a beautiful album of gentle psyche-folk from New York featuring Spider's acoustic guitar picking and whispery-soft vocals. Wonderul contributions from Cass McCombs and The Polyphonic Spree round out the sound. It was a pleasure to ask Spider a few questions about how she weaves her web of song.
Are you a New Yorker born and bred? Your music seems so peaceful to be coming from a metropolis like NYC.
I was born in NYC. I moved around a bit. Mostly suburban east coast places. NJ, Maryland, DC. But, I did go to camp. I guess you try to find peace in a place like NY. For me it’s music.
Who are some of your influences and artists that you've been inspired by lately?
Harry Nilsson. Tusk by Fleetwood Mac. Smog. Cat Power’s 18 minute song. Dungen.
Do you write from experience or fictional narrative?
I think it’s a bit of both. My songs can be very whimsical. For example, we didn’t have a TV when I was little, and as a result, my sister and I would make up a lot of games and stories. I think song writing can be a similar process. But, the emotions in the songs are real, and I think that needs to come from real experience.
What comes first - lyrics or music?
I usually write lyrics and music separately. I’ll write in a journal and then play guitar till something strikes me. But, the words always seem to fit in the end. The phrasing is very important, and can really help along the rhythm of a song. It’s interesting, because I’ll have written some lyrics, and then have to change them based on rhyme or how it flows. It makes you come up with some interesting solutions that wouldn’t have happened otherwise.
I'm surprised that your album isn't on a label - did you look? I've heard albums not even remotely as good as yours coming out on big labels recently - it seems there's been something of a psyche-folk feeding-frenzy at a number of labels.
I haven’t looked for a label yet. I may be wrong, but I feel that I would have to make more of a name for myself or have a bit more credibility first. I always imagine my promo CD sitting in a huge pile with hundreds of other promo CDs that are never going to be listened to. It seems that everyone makes music these days, and that labels just get inundated. It also seems that labels already have an idea of who they want to sign beforehand. I think it is very rare and lucky if a label opens an envelope on their desk of someone they have never heard of, and says, “Hey, this person is great! Let’s give them $50,000 to tour around the world!”
Do you think being on a label matters for an artists such as yourself in this day and age or can you make a go of it as an independent?
I think it can go either way. Ideally, there are some amazing labels out there that are so supportive of their artists in every way – tour support, PR, managing, distribution, etc. you name it. That would be wonderful, and they have so many resources on hand. As an independent, even with all the new opportunities there are now, you have to reinvent the wheel at every step just learning what labels already know and have an equipped staff to deal with. But, on the other hand, if you’re a new band on a label, you’re not yet selling tons of records, and you’re not bringing as much revenue into the label as more established bands. As a result, they can’t work as hard for you as the other bands, and then you have your hands tied. It’s a catch 22.
Do you feel a part of the psyche-folk scene specifically?
Sure, or maybe easy listening.
What's the story on that photo of you in I-D Magazine - was that a one-off thing or do you work as a model?
It was a story on real women, ones they picked who’s work they liked, or felt inspired by; so, I am not and never have been a model.
Any tour plans? Do you enjoy playing live - and do you play solo or with some of the musicians that play on your record?
I love playing live and have been doing a few mini tours. And, when I’m lucky, I do have friends to play with. A few of who were on the record.
Any big changes in store for the next record? The arrangements and production on the current album are so appealing that I'm curious to see where you'll take your music in the future.
I think the next record will have more arrangements and instrumentation. There will be rock songs - a little more heavy-hitting. I’m in the process of getting a band together to record and possibly to tour with. Also, I’m definitely going to be working with the same producer, Matt Boynton, so, the production will probably stay somewhat consistent, even though it will definitely have evolved. Actually, I can’t wait to start recording again.
The Way To Bitter Lake is available from www.spidersongs.net
Photo ©Zandy Mangold
Top Albums
YouTube Videos Tagged ‘Spider’
Flickr Photos Tagged ‘Spider’
wilton spider1
wilton spider2
wilton spider3
Spider
