6/29/2005

MP3 Download: Good Sons

Samuel Aaron: Howdy and Welcome to ALLALOM! Thank you so much for taking the time out to talk with us. You just finished up a short tour for your new album, how was it?

Jason Martin: It went good.

SA: Any standout dates?

JM: They usually kind of run together, not much sleep and always trying to get to the next show on time.

SA: Do you plan on touring anymore this year?

JM: We are playing some shows in the mid west in a couple of weeks, and are doing a west coast run at the end of July, and some more dates in the fall that are being finalized.

SA: How has the response been to "Talking Voice Vs. Singing Voice"?

JM: I think that it has been good, a couple of bad reviews, but what can you do.

SA: How long did it take you to record?

JM: After all was said and done, counting the mix, it was a couple of months.

SA: In past albums, you've preferred to work with synthesized strings, what was your experience like working with real string arrangements on the new album? Would you use them again or revert back to a simpler sound?

JM: I was really happy with the way it turned out, if the opportunity is there I would take the real strings most of the time...but there is still a place in my heart for The Cure "disintegration" style fake ones.

SA: What was the recording process like for this album?

JM: The same as it usually is, going through a lot of demos and trying to decide what ones will make it for the record, arranging them, playing them, and then always second guessing that we chose the wrong ones after it is done.

SA: How would you describe yourself in the studio working on a track?

JM: Trial and error...there is usually a couple of different versions of most of the parts. Playing them is not too hard, it is just deciding which one feels best in the track that takes the most time.

SA: How did it differ from your previous works?

JM: The process has always been pretty much the same.

SA: Do you have any favorite song on the new album?

JM: I like A Good Living.

SA: Ok, so growing up, what styles of music really inspired you, what musicians?

JM: I was only allowed to listen to Christian music, Daniel Amos was a really big influence on me.

SA: Are there any bands you listed that would be considered guilty pleasures now?

JM: I don't know if it is a guilty pleasure, but I really like an old christian album Escape From the Fallen Planet by a band called Chrumbacher.

SA: Are there any musicians that you really try to emulate – both with your past records and currently?

JM: Will Sergeant from Echo and the Bunnymen, Johnny Marr from the Smiths, Joey Santiago from the Pixies.....too many to count.

SA: What are your all time favorite records?

JM: That changes from year to year.

SA: When did you really decide you wanted to be in a band?

JM: About the time Americana was being recorded I realized that I really enjoyed the craft of recording music.

SA: What was it like working with your brother in Dance House Children?

JM: I was so young I don't remember that much about it, what I realize now was how good of a song writer my brother was at such an early age.

SA: Have you and your brother ever thought about working on another album together?

JM: Ya, we want to do a record called The Brothers Martin where we split up song writing duties, and each play on the other guys stuff.

SA: Of your own music, is there any album you wish could just disappear or that you wish you could do over?

JM: Absolutely...time has a way of changing perspective though...There have been things on records that I was so bummed about at the time, but now I listen back and I think, it's not that bad, I must have been going crazy. On the reverse side of that, things I thought I nailed at the time I listen back and go "eh"...

SA: Do you work well under pressure?

JM: It is the only way to get things done. If there was no deadline to turn in a record, they would never get done. Any record you ever do is never really finished, you could keep adding and subtracting forever, some kind of final date is the only thing that gets it finished.

SA: Republic Of Texas Recordings recently issued "The Last Laurel" on 12" - what made you decide to allow a vinyl release of this limited run EP?

JM: It was very nice of Travis to do that, there wasn't anything to allow, it's cool having the vinyl version of any release.

SA: Do you have plans to release any more albums independently of Tooth & Nail?

JM: Exclusive type stuff that is ok'd by the label for the fans of the band....we have a small pressing of a live CD coming out in a couple of weeks.

SA: With the advances in sound technology such as 5.1 Surround Sound (etc)...have you ever considered utilizing them in your upcoming music?

JM: Never thought of that before.

SA: Have you ever considered re-releasing a past album remixed for that technology?

JM: No I haven't.

SA: What bothers you most about being a musician?

JM: The egos involved with it, and the over importance that some musicians place on themselves....you know, we're not inventing the cure for cancer, we write 3 chord songs.

SA: If you could jam with any band, which band would it be?

JM: hmmm…I don't know.

SA: How would you say you've grown musically and lyrically over the years?

JM: I'm a different guy than I was when I was 20 years old...I think I have gotten better at the song writing craft, but who knows....I maybe should have quit after The Fashion Focus record.

SA: Have you ever wanted to tour more in the States, and along those same lines have you ever thought about touring Europe?

JM: We go out as much as we can, as far as Europe, we have had offers to go over there, it has just never quite worked out.

SA: How much a concern is it that Starflyer 59 be heard worldwide?

JM: I don't have much control over that, but it would be nice if more people could hear the records.

SA: Has any band in the last couple years really caught your attention?

JM: I like what interpol is doing.

SA: So what about albums – what is currently rotating in your music player?

JM: The Hurting album by Tears For Fears.

SA: What about over hyped musicians – is there any group that you really think needs to give it up?

JM: No, that wouldn't be that nice of me to say that. There are probably a lot of people that wonder why we are still putting out records.

SA: What is your opinion on 'Christian' music and the industry that creates it?

JM: Like a lot of people I think there are strange things about it, and things that ought not to be the way they are.

SA: Would you label Starflyer 59 as a 'Christian' band?

JM: yes.

SA: Care to expand on that answer?

JM: It's pretty simple, I am a Christian, I write the songs for the band, so I would call it a Christian band....I don't separate parts of my life, calling one part secular, one part Christian...All that we do should be to the Glory of God. I am not at all saying I am perfect at this, but as a Christian this is the way things should be.

SA: With the reissuing of Silver and Gold, do you have any intentions of re-releasing Plugged, Americana, and any other rare material?

JM: No plans as of yet.

SA: How do you view the vinyl treatment of your music?

JM: I'm thankful someone usually puts out the vinyl version of records we've put out.

SA: With the reissues coming out have you ever considered also putting them on vinyl?

JM: There has been talk about it, mainly just the silver album since it has never been on that format.

SA: How has playing live progressed over the years? I know with the accompaniment track, you're able to recreate a fuller sound. Are you more confident singing with that type of accompaniment?

JM: We're not the best live band that's for sure, but I like having the tracks to make the live show sound more like the record...I just can't bring that many people on the road, so this has been a good option for us.

SA: Are there any songs in your catalogue that you have not done live in a while that you ever think about taking back out?

JM: Ya, we want to start doing more songs off Leave Here A Stranger.

SA: That would be awesome. Your live shows are usually fairly short, is there any reason behind this? How long would you consider too long for being on stage?

JM: We usually play 10 or 11 songs...I don't like seeing any band for more than 1 hour, it gets old for me after that.

SA: Are there any bands you have really enjoyed touring with that you would want to tour with again?

JM: Dave Bazan from Pedro is a good friend of mine, it is always fun going out with them.

SA: What was the most unusual concert experience you've had?

JM: I don't really have too many Spinal Tap moments, just some bad shows like most bands that have been playing for 12 years.

SA: What about the most enjoyable?

JM: A show is a show.

SA: So, do you prefer working in the studio on new material, or performing live?

JM: I definately prefer being in the studio working on new material.

SA: Do you have any plans in the future to release a DVD documentary with live footage, interviews, music videos?

JM: Haven't thought about it.

SA: You have a fairly rabid fan base, but how would you personally describe them? Any awkward moments?

JM: Everyone has been pretty nice, I am thankful we have loyal fans, it has allowed us to put out records and tour throughout the years

SA: How many songs have come to you while driving for your dad's trucking business?

JM: Quite a few.

SA: You're on a deserted island with a choice of one food to eat the rest of your life: crackers & cheese, barbecue ribs, or lobster. Which would you choose?

JM: I guess crackers and cheese.

SA: Ok, along those same lines, is there anything you enjoy eating while you are on the road?

JM: Pretty much anything except McDonalds.

SA: What makes you laugh?

JM: Funny things

SA: Is there any question you have always wanted to be asked but has never happened, if so, what is it and how would you respond?

JM: Not that I can think of.

SA: Where do you hope to see Starflyer in ten years?

JM: Too far away to think of at the moment.

SA: Ok, one last questions – where did the name Starflyer 59 come from, and are you happy with it?

JM: There was a reason at the time for the name that I have forgotten. It definitely has a time stamp on it of like the year 1990, but is getting to the point that it is so old that I'm really starting to like it again.

SA: Thank you very much for your time.

JM: Thanks for the interview.


To learn more about Jason Martin and Starflyer59 please be sure to check out sf59.com