Lou Barlow – Goodnight Unknown

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ndy Maddison caught up with Lou Barlow for a brief chat about his latest album release “Goodnight Unknown”

In the four years since his career-redefining, mostly acoustic record Emoh, Lou Barlow has reunited with Dinosaur Jr. and reissued three of Sebadoh’s classic albums. But as the brilliant new Goodnight Unknown illustrates, he’s hardly living in the past. Borrowing the live-band energy of Dinosaur Jr. and the stylistic reach of Sebadoh, Barlow has built on Emoh’s full production and written a set of immediate, melodic pop songs that Lou describes as, “a cross between my later work with Folk Implosion and my earlier work with Sebadoh…to my ears, anyway.” Merge Records

AM: You have been and appear to still be on what seems like a never ending tour with Dinosaur Jnr, how is that going? You all appear to be having fun playing together again, does that mean all the old gripes that previously marred the relationship between yourself and J have finally been put to bed?

LB: The music is great … we are the same people, the problems are the same..but now i understand that the music is more important than my ego ..so i get on with it ..

AM: Your new solo record ‘Goodnight Unknown’ is was released in October, how would you describe the songwriting and sound of the album?
that’s up to the listener, plus i’m terrible at describing my own music..
If anyone is curious they can hear a sample on-line here: http://www.mergerecords.com…

AM: The record is out on Merge, you seem to have a good relationship with the label? What is it about them that appeals to you?
LB: They are fair..if my records makes money,we split the profits.. no bullshit, no pressure.. a very pure operation..i love them and hope they don’t drop me..

AM: Do you ever envisage a time when you will not write and play music? I cannot think of anyone else that writes, records and puts out as many songs/half songs/ideas for songs as you do. Is there a tape machine constantly running in the Barlow household that captures everything you do?

LB: ..I assume i will never be successful enough to even consider stopping..this is all i know how to do..i have no fall-back.. i am a high school educated music-obsessed survivor .. i have released only 3 records in the last decade ..i have made small contributions to 2 dinosaur jr records..that’s it.. i used to be prolific back in the 80′s and 90′s.. not now , not at all..it’s been 5 years since my last solo release..

AM: So now to the question that everyone must ask, and the one which you must be thoroughly sick of…will Sebadoh ever play or record together again?

LB: I hope so..i’d like to do a ‘bakesale’ reissue and tour playing those songs.. jason loewenstein and i have kept the dream alive ..

Andy Maddison

Watch the fantastic Goodnight Unknown documentary below…

Lou Barlow – Goodnight Unknown Documentary from Merge Records on Vimeo.