SHREDnews

By: Poppy Cleere

Shred: When and how did the band form?

Zac: K and I were assigned as roommates when we were hired as pit musicians for a touring circus called Barnum’s Kaleidoscape. We found that we were not the normal “road dog” guys (I was 19 at the time) and were forced to become friends. It was a year-long tour that lasted 13 months and we spent the time turning each other on to all kinds of music. I really admired K’s knowledge of classical music and his level of accomplishment on different instruments and I think he liked how much I loved soul music and old rock and roll. Dave joined the band after we relocated from Austin to NYC and was right in tune with what we were doing. Same story with Pat, our bass player. I couldn’t imagine that we’d be able to make our music with anyone else.

Shred: Is there a story behind the chosen band name and was ‘Jupiter One’ the first choice?

Zac: K just came up with it one day and it was better than the other options, which were few. I think he thought it sounded regal or something.

Shred: Could you perhaps give our readers an idea of what your music is about?

Zac: Can you describe your sound or the message you hope your songs give out?

I don’t really know what our message is except that we have obsessed over music our whole lives and we want to make the best songs possible and so we create the moods of the songs differently for each one. The biggest thing is that we try to write what we hope to be great songs first, then worry about a “sound” later. We love Bowie, Zeppelin, Fleetwood Mac, Flaming Lips, Beatles, Superfurry Animals, Stevie Wonder and a million other artists whose records are totally diverse because their creative minds are.

Shred: Who or what inspired each of you to pick up your respective instruments?

Zac: Dave is totally inspired by John Bonham and Stewart Copeland. K has been playing violin and making his own music since early childhood. Pat as well. He’s like EXACTLY what you want in a bass player. I recommend listening closely to what he does on Sunshower. It’s really fun. My Dad is a musician so I grew up with it and he taught me how to play.

Shred: If you were not in Jupiter One what profession would you have liked to have entered?

Zac: Biology, maybe. My friends would say “professional mooooooch”.

Shred: Who inspires the band musically and lyrically?

Zac: K and I write the songs, but even before they’re done we’ll work on pieces as a group and get the vibe happening and so it comes together like that, sort of. We draw from books, or friends, or other records, or drinking.

Shred: How does songwriting work? Does one person do most of the lyrics or is it a group effort?

Zac: K and I write the songs, but we do them separately, usually. Whoever writes the melody writes the words too.

Shred: Your latest album Sunshower was released last month. How did the writing and recording process go?

Zac: We just write all the time, so we had a bunch of songs to try out. We are a touring band, so we wanted to have different moods for the live set. We road tested most of the songs live, especially the really rocknroll ones and picked out a group to record at Carriage House studios in Connecticut. We were loving the guitar and drum sounds on Diamond Nights’ and Priestbird’s records and it turned out that the same guy recorded them. His name is Chris Ribando and fortunately for us he was available.

Shred: Where there any major influences or events that contributed to ‘Sunshower’?

Zac: We think that this album sounds like a band playing so probably just being around each other in a van playing in bars every night influenced the sound, I bet. The name was around for a while as a cool thing to call an album and the songs are mostly bittersweet, like a sunshower.

Shred: Does everyone have a personal favorite from the new album and if so which track and why?

Zac: I think we’re usually partial to “High Plains Drifter Finds the Oracle at Delphi” because it’s such an unusual mood and it’s really good to listen to while fucking.

Shred: You’re currently on tour with Regina Spektor, how is it being back out on the road? Are you being well received by crowds?

Zac: This is our first experience we’ve had on a major tour of this scale. Not in terms of area covered – we’ve crisscrossed the country numerous times, but the beautiful venues and number of people we’re playing in front of is unprecedented for us. We’re extremely grateful that she’s offered us this opportunity and we hope that we can make the most of it. We’re also huge admirers of her music and so that makes the experience all the more wonderful. Her fans are music fanatics and have given us an overwhelming response so far. A far cry from what could have happened – beer thrown at us or just sheer ambivalence which is common with openers with other bands.

Shred: What are your favourite songs to play live?

Zac: Simple Stones, Volcano, Lights Go Out, Unglued. Some of them are rearranged for the live setting so that keeps them fresh, I think.

Shred: Any interesting tour stories?

Zac: Always, but you’ll have to ask us when we’re drinking together.

Shred: Any pre-show rituals or odd tour habits?

Zac: We just pretty much drink all the time.

Shred: Which city has been most fun to play in the past?

Zac: Our own! NYC!

Shred: What are Jupiter One’s plans for the new year and beyond?

Zac: We hope we can make the most of this opening slot for Regina Spektor and keep making songs so we can be ready for the next album. We’ll try to stay on the road as much as possible so we can come see everybody.

Shred: Is there any hint of forthcoming tour outside of the US? In the UK or Europe for example?

Zac: We’re trying to make that happen. It’s expensive.

Shred: And finally, is there anything else you’d like to add for our readers?

Zac: Yes. I think you’re great. And try to look at the clouds more for long periods of time. It might do something to your brain that you like. See you soon! Love,Zac.

You can catch Jupiter One on tour now supporting Regina Spektor. For dates and details check out their Myspace:

www.myspace.com/jupiterone