10/23/2007
Exclusive Interview with Yo La Tengo
Last night Yo La Tengo and their Freewheeling Yo La Tengo Tour rolled into Philly's First Unitarian Church thanks to R5 Productions. In their own words this tour is described as "a little bit "Storytellers," a little bit "Unplugged," with a soupcon of their famously varied Hanukkah shows, it will feature the band playing an almost-acoustic set of songs from their entire catalog, with stories about their life as a band, and an encouraged back-and-forth with the audience."
True to form they were! For an hour and a half the band fielded questions from a sold out crowd on everything from Velvet Underground comparisons to inter-band relationships, AND they played almost every song the crowd requested!
I was able to talk to bass player James McNew after their show and it felt kinda strange because the entire set was one big interview. Luckily James is one of the nicest musicians I have ever met and he had no qualms about entertaining my questions.
Bassist James McNew
Emily: If you had to choose, which do you prefer: recording in the studio or going on tour?
James: There are parts of the day when I hate them both! Each situation can be completely insane but when I snap into perspective and realize that this is a dream come true for me, that it's something I have wanted since I was eight years old, I feel fine. On tour clubs can suck, people can be assholes, you know, but still this is infinitely better than having to wear a tie and shave and file papers.
Emily: I understand how clubs and touring can be a drag sometimes, but there have to be destination spots that you look forward to visiting, right? Restaurants, cafes, bars? What place in Philly do you seek out while you are here?
James: In Philly there are tons of places I like to go to. I like going to Pat's. (for cheesesteaks)
Emily: Have you ever been to Chubbie's? That is the ONLY cheesesteak spot in Philly, it is in Roxborough but next time you are in town, I am bringing you a proper steak.
James: Please do! What else, uh, my girlfriend and I will make special trips from New York to go to the Reading Terminal Market for Pennsylvania Dutch stuff and just to grocery shop. The stuff they have there you just can't get everywhere. Where else? I like Tony Luke's and Georgia's in the Italian Market. Tonight I ate at Madison and that was delicious. Philly is a great food town.
Emily: Do you ever daydream about doing anything other than your band?
James: Before this all started I had a pretty good plan because I never thought being a professional musician was feasible. I didn't think it was possible until I saw
The Minutemen and realized that if someone like D. Boon could make a go of it as a musician so could I. I hated school. I dropped out of college early but then I went back after a while to study Japanese and I could see myself moving to Tokyo to teach English. But in 1989 a friend in the band Christmas (who later became Combustible Edison) and I began trading tapes and when he asked if I wanted to play I immediately said yes that was that.
Emily: Okay, last question. We here at the Walrus are putting together a special Halloween mix tape. What band or song song would you add to the mix?
James: Half Japanese has a bunch of monster songs- "Rosemary's Baby" is a great one. Oh, and Times New Viking has that song "Thing With a Hook." Those two for sure.
Emily: That's all I got James, thanks so much for talking to me!
James: Not at all, it was nice to meet you. See ya!
The Freewheeling Yo La Tengo tour is coming to a city near you- go see them!!
Oct 23 Alexandria, VA The Birchmere
Oct 29 Portland, OR The Aladdin Theater
Oct 30 Seattle, WA Town Hall
Nov 1 San Francisco, CA Palace of Fine Arts
Nov 3 Hollywood, CA Ivar Theater
Nov 4 La Jolla, CA Museum of Contemporary Art
Nov 10 North Adams, MA MASS MoCA Hunter Center
Nov 15 Boston, MA Museum of Fine Arts
Pick up their latest release I Am Not Afraid You And I Will Beat Your Ass at Matador Records.
Posted by Emily on 10/23/2007 10:15 AM in Indie-Pop, Interview
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