Band of Horses
Interview with Ben Bridwell
Words: Michael Rabinowitz
Photos: David Belisle

Appearing:
February 7, 2008
The Beta Bar, Tallahassee

February 8, 2008
Common Grounds, Gainesville

February 9, 2008
The Social, Orlando

March 21, 2008
The Social, Orlando

March 22, 2008
The Cuban Club, Ybor City

Giddy, ecstatic, unctuous.  These are all words that don’t quite reach an appropriate description of Ben Bridwell, lead vocalist of Band of Horses.  When talking about the level of musicianship his band has achieved in the last year alone, he is patient, polite, yet hyperactive – a rare blend of Pepsi-fueled manic Southerner and laid back West Coast surfer.  And while the interview is conducted over the phone, I can hear him pace back and forth, hear his breathing, only stopping for a moment to recall the recording of his new album, Cease to Begin.  Despite coming off a critical and commercial success of his first album, The Funeral, Band of Horses is a band newly focused, honed to a tighter, three-piece act, with the ability to pull out long, bacchanal jam sessions –something Bridwell is fiercely proud of.  You can understand his rapture, after toiling ten years as the lowly drummer in local Seattle act, Carrisa’s Weird.  Yet, he is candid when it comes to the licensing of his music, and Bridwell’s cavalier attitude when the blogosphere, and to some extent BOH’s fanbase, exploded into contemptuous accusations of that long extinct, vestigial, mid-90s declaration: “Sellout!”   In this first of a two part interview (the sequel will be in next month’s issue as a preview to BOH’s Skatepark of Tampa show at The Cuban Club) we talked about his position on licensing, baseball, being a Georgia Bulldog fan braving Gator country to perform, and playing for the love of the audience.  That is, as long as they will have you.

REAX:  You are documented Seattle Mariners baseball fan, a small-market team that competes well every year.  Anyway, can you come to Tropicana Field here in Tampa and play?  Sort of bless the Devil Rays?
BB:  Laughs It’s kind of tough being down there.  At the same time, we have the same result at the end of the season where we are not in the playoffs.

REAX:  At least Seattle spends money on players.
BB:  Yeah, we do, just frivolously and for the wrong players.  But, whatever.  I’ll root for them through anything.  But, first and foremost, I am a Georgia football fan.  Living back in the South, I can finally be surrounded by SEC football.  That’s my jammer these days.  But, if I get a chance to go to Seattle, I’ll go to a game, for sure. 

REAX:  You will be in Gator Country next month while in Orlando.  Did you ever go to “The Worlds Largest Outdoor Cocktail Party?” 
BB:  I never have, actually.  It’s always been a humbling experience in the recent past.  Usually, it’s an automatic “L” on the schedule.  I was pleasantly surprised this year when we actually won.  But, I have to watch it in the comfort of my home.  Me and my dad have watched it now for two years in a row together, so it’s kind of a tradition to stay at home and pace the floor, just fucking wear a hole in the carpet. 
 
REAX:  You just played four nights at The Earl in Atlanta.  I guess you like the area as much as the football team.
BB:  Actually, all my family is from Atlanta.  My parents grew up there and met there, so I’ve always had a huge kinship to Atlanta and lived their as a kid.  Our friend, Patrick Hill, he books that place; I grew up playing ball with him.  We always stayed friends.  It seemed like a nice thing for their club and a fun way to spend the New Year instead of the expectations of what to do.  It was just like, “Hey, we’re going to work!” Laughs.

REAX:  In Atlanta, you opened with Creedence Clearwater Revival's "Effigy."  Any CCR covers to expect in your Florida shows?
BB:  I don’t know.  That whole four-night stay, we wanted to have some new songs.  I think we learned like four or five new songs just to keep it fresh.  Now we are moving into Phish territory where we can play two, three hour shows.  So, if the vibe is right, we’ll keep playing until they pull the plug on us. 

REAX:  Is that the live performer equivalent of trying to run a marathon? 
BB:  I want our show to be a really awesome experience for people, so I’ll give as much as they can give us, basically.  The thought of being one of those bands where you can come out and watch for a couple of hours, and entering that kind of realm is exciting.  It’s just challenging yourself and – I don’t know – learning new music is just really fun. 

REAX:  Is that one of the benefits in getting national recognition and the tour support, having the opportunity to play these shows?
BB:  I just think the band is coming into its own.  It’s just surprising that we’ve even grown with the new record.  The fanbase is growing with us as well.  And, we are just setting new expectations for ourselves, kind of defining our own sound.  It just feels like we are on top of the world right now.

bandofhorses.com

Look out for Part 2 of Ben’s interview in the next issue of REAX!