Are you still all located in New Orleans? As an outsider you hear so much about the city's traditional music styles and cultural influences deriving from that. How do other styles of music (rock, soul, anything) fit into that scene? Do you play locally often?
We don't play locally that often. We try to play there at least once every tour. We love the music of New Orleans, but it's no secret that we don't really fit in musically all that much. We're very inspired by a lot of what's come to shape the New Orleans sound, but in the end for us, it's just one of many influences that comprise the sound of this band.
You've said you're "not good at being dark" — did you mean that in terms of songwriting or performing, or is it that it just doesn't suit this band well? Who do you think is a good dark act?
Portishead is certainly one of the masters that come to mind. I'm a huge fan. Making music that is haunting and dissonant, and comes across as beautiful as theirs do, blows my mind. I wish I knew how to create like that, but I don't. I still love listening to the ones that do, though. But for the music we make, things tend to sound more like us when we build songs around a more marshmallow-y center.
Which are your favorite songs to perform?
The nights where certain songs happen effortlessly are the best moments. It varies from night to night what songs it may be, so we just hope it happens for most of the set. My personal favorite right now is one of our new tracks: "Tell Your Heart Heads Up."
You've been through your share of disputes with record labels. Is there an optimal arrangement for you? What to you are the benefits of being with a label as opposed to releasing independently?
We're lucky enough to be working with some really amazing people. There are always spiffs here and there, but it's still a great team at the end of the day, so no complaints. We're happy with the arrangement we have.
Can you elaborate a little on what you call your "weird religious roots"? Why do you think that musicians are typically reluctant to talk about faith?
It can be tricky. Religious roots are inherently weird, I think. It's the start of what is inevitably a strange road to travel, and at the same time a trusty anchor. I've always wanted to make a record that sort of made some attempt to sum a few things up for myself. Odd Soul is in a lot of ways autobiographical, musically and lyrically.
You've been working in this band for over a decade now. What are your survival strategies for touring, staying friends with bandmates, etc.?
Respect everyone's space and time.
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