Eric Bachman Interview – the archer speaks to DbR

The irrepressible Andy Maddison grabs the living legend that is Eric bachmann for a chat about his solo work, cover versions and moving to Europe…

AM: Hi Eric, you are currently putting together ‘Reservoir Songs Volume II’; a follow up to the original 2002 album of covers. Was it your idea to revisit this? how did it come about?

EB: All of these cover songs are songs that we have performed on tour at some point. After a while, enough folks request that you release some version of the song. Then the Catholic school upbringing I had begins to instill guilt and I feel the need to appease these nice people. It’s also rewarding to make a recording that you are less connected to as a writer. You don’t have to concern yourself too much with the songwriting quality and what the lyrics are bringing into the universe because that’s not your problem. And if you felt compelled to cover a song then it’s likely that releasing these great songs isn’t any form of pollution, hopefully.

Eric Bachmann

The last Crooked Fingers album ‘Forfeit / Fortune’ was a self released affair, why was this? Did you feel you were unsatisfied with the deal you were getting from the labels you had been working with in the past? Was it hard work to get everything off the ground?

I had never put out my own record. I thought it would be a worthy challenge and wanted to give it a try. I would do it again, although it’s nice to be a part of a family. The hardest part for me is that the amount of time it takes to run the label eats up songwriting and recording time. Running a label is also a very social thing. Talk, talk, talk. I am an introverted pansyman.

And as far as any of the labels I have been on in the past: I think Merge, Warm and Saddle Creek are great and I would work with any of them again, which I most likely will. In Europe I was on Fargo for one record. They were cool people as well. I think Houston Party in Spain released Red Devil Dawn, too. Other folks were doing this for me, though, so things get lost in the shuffle. I’m lucky in that Crooked Fingers has never been screwed over by any record labels or managers or anything, really.

‘Forfeit / Fortune’ seemed to herald a return to a very ‘full band’ sound for you, was this a conscious effort in the writing or just the way it turned out? Will future Crooked Fingers output feature the same approach?

Forfeit/Fortune was really a musical house cleaning. Eight of those songs were out takes from previous records I had recorded. I was originally going to release a rarities, out takes and B-sides record with those songs, but they were too well put together to present that way, so I decided to re-record everything and make a proper album with them. In hindsight, I think the record sounds a bit bizarre because there are all these really good songs on there that don’t really fit together conceptually. Maybe I should have just done 12 singles over the course of the year or something. Or maybe it was the right thing to do because it’s done and those songs have a home; even if that home is an orphanage of sorts.

Where are you currently residing and why? You have spent time living in Asheville, Chapel Hill and Seattle – the last place I have you down for is Denver? Do you get ‘itchy feet’? Some of those places are thousands of miles apart – it must cost you a fortune in removal bills!

Well, I don’t own anything except for my bicycle, my guitars, my amps and my pedals; so everything I own can fit in my car. Right now I’m in Athens, GA. I like to move because I want to see and experience as much as I can before I die. If I didn’t move a lot it would feel a bit like going to an amusement park, paying full price, then not riding every ride. I’d feel ripped off or something.

Eric Bachmann

With the slew of reunions by bands such as Polvo and Pavement I have no doubt that there have been offers on the table for an Archers of Loaf tour? Are you ever tempted to dig out the electric guitar and play the hot sweaty clubs again? Is it something that you would ever seriously consider, and do you have much (or any) contact with Matt Gentling, Mark Price and Eric Johnson?

I play electric guitar in hot sweaty clubs now, too. The only difference is that more females are in attendance. And perhaps I lose a bit less hearing during a Crooked Fingers show.

But the Archers would consider it. It was 12 years ago since we last played together and logistically it would be hard for a few band members to get out of work as they have real jobs and such. But I never say never about these kinds of things. It’s highly unlikely, but I don’t think it’s an impossibility.

And I saw Matt yesterday. I bought a tent from him and he’s letting me borrow an amp. I haven’t seen Mark or Eric in a while.

Where do you see Eric Bachmann 5 years from now? Do you plan to continue with Crooked Fingers or can we expect to see more releases like the stripped down solo release ‘To the Races’?

I can’t see exactly where I’ll be, of course, but Crooked Fingers is feeling pretty strong now. I don’t know how to do anything else so I’m sure I’ll be pulling some excuse of a living out of music then, too, I suspect…

You have been seriously neglecting us over in the UK of late, any plans to come over here anytime soon?

I want to! I’d like to move to Europe and give it a serious round of touring for a few years. I’ve worked that angle here in the States for years and I feel like I’ve never really had the opportunity to build her up in Europe like I have in the US. Can you get me and my girlfriend EU visas?

Andy Maddison

Crooked Fingers – Let’s Not Pretend (To Be New Men)

Archers of Loaf – Might