PropertyOfZack was lucky enough to be given the chance to interview Robert McDowell of Manchester Orchestra and Gobotron! Robert talks about the new Manchester Orchestra album, the future of Gobotron, and Bad Books with Kevin Devine. Enjoy!
Manchester Orchestra is heading into the studio in the early summer to begin recording the 3rd LP, Let Go Of Your Sorrowful Groaning. How is the process for this record different than the last one?
It’s more relaxed. We want to make sure we take our time and have fun. The pressure is still there, we have just decided to stick to our roots and make sure we are happy with everything. I’m not saying the last one wasn’t fun, we just want this record to be organic.
Sound wise, will it be a mixture between I’m Like A Virgin Losing A Child and Mean Everything To Nothing or will it be something we haven’t heard yet?
It is important to us all to continue to grow musically. We don’t want to make a “part 2” to an album. It will still be Manchester Orchestra, but hopefully it will take a step sonically like METN did.
Will you guys be heading into the studio with a full album written or is there still more writing to be done for the record before production?
We have a load of songs now, but I imagine there will be writing when we get home. We want to go in with an arsenal of songs, so there will always be more writing.
Should we expect a late 2010 release or is 2011 more likely?
2011 I believe. There is a lot of back end work that goes into an album. I would love to put it out the day it gets mixed but thats hard to do. In fact impossible if you want a proper release.
Does Manchester Orchestra have any plans to play any dates during the summer or fall? Or will you guys just be recording and enjoying some off time?
We plan on doing some radio shows, festivals and one offs. We need the time off so we don’t lose our minds. Touring is a love/hate relationship. You need to disconnect from it in order to love it.
Did the band expect to receive such praise for Mean Everything To Nothing? You guys were just on the cover of Alternative Press; the sky seems to be the limit.
All that stuff blows my mind. It makes me excited but I don’t want to jinx it. We were excited to sell 20 tickets to a show so this is all way more then anything we expected.
Now that your drummer (Jeremiah Edmond) has left the band to focus on family and the label (Favorite Gentlemen), have you guys found a permanent replacement or will you keep having friends fill in for shows?
We have narrowed it down to a couple guys. We are making sure we don’t jump the gun. I know there isn’t a bad decision, we are just trying to find the best decision.
You recently released your first solo album, On Your Mark, Get Set…, just a few months ago. How has the reception been to the project? Was it odd making material not for a band but for yourself?
It’s been fun. I did the record as an exercise. I had no idea if I would put it out, so when I did I was really nervous. Everyone who has helped put it out there has done a great job, so now I’m just crossing my fingers and waiting.
The tracks off Gobotron might not be what a listener would first expect if he or she knew you were a member of Manchester Orchestra. Where do your influences for that album come from?
I wanted to make a dirty pop record. So it was just me trying to write songs and stay in one genre. I was listening to a lot of 90’s powerpop stuff. I don’t really know. I was also listening to a lot of hip hop and folk. It just happened to turn out like that. Ha.
Do you plan on continuing making albums under that moniker or embarking on any tours when Manchester has some down time?
I’ll do another album I’m sure. Manchester rarely has down time. We are still working full speed when we’re at home, so it would be hard to tour. The only chance I would have to tour is if Favorite Gentlemen did a special tour.
We’ve heard that Bad Books is looking for a fall release date. Can you give us some info on the project? Is it more of an Andy/Kevin project or is it a full band effort?
The songs formed in the studio. Andy would bring in a song, then Kevin, J, Chris, Ben Homola, Joe Canetti and I would build it out. Then the next song would be one of Kevin’s and the team would build it out. Etc. It was the most fun and natural record I’ve been a part of in a long time.
Depending on the reception, could Bad Books be a reoccurring project? And are there any plans to support the release with a tour?
We will always tour with Kevin and make music with him. I love him. So I wouldn’t be too surprised…but don’t count on anything. Just hope.
Thank you so much for your time, is where anything else you’d like to add?
I’m sorry for any typing errors. I have the grammar of a child.
