City & Colour

Part 1

0:00Hello? Hey man, it's Matt, how are you? I'm good, we're just driving to Portland. There you go, where'd you play last night? Seattle. Okay, cool. Let's get right into it, man, because I know you don't have much time. Now I know the last record, it was more like your friends kind of pushing you to release it, you kind of had it, and people were like, you got to put this out, you got to put this out. And now you're coming from an entirely different perspective with all the success of the solo stuff. Was that, was it harder? Yeah, I mean, no, it was a lot easier, and I was a lot more excited to put this record out, because actually like, was into it, you know what I mean? You weren't into the last one. Well, I mean, it was okay, but it was like mostly songs I had written when I was a teenager and stuff, and just all these like sort of, you know, old songs I had that people started caring about,

0:46I guess. So I thought I would put it out and do what happens. Yeah, and you sound a lot more grown up, at least lyrically on this record a little bit too. Well, yeah, like I said, most of the songs I wrote in my late teens and early twenties, whereas this record I wrote, you know, in my like last year. Oh, so it's all new stuff? Nothing was held back from that first record that you said, Oh, maybe there's a couple of songs that I like, maybe one or two songs that I sort of brought back or like Chuck lyrics from old songs and sort of reworked them into new songs. Yeah, that's always the case though. Yeah, but pretty much everything is new. That's cool. Well, let's play people one of the tunes so that if they haven't heard it yet, let's well, let's go with your choice. What do you want to hear off the new record? You choose a song. My favorite song is probably what makes a man. Oh, yeah. Why that one? I don't know. I just

1:34that's my favorite song right now, the record. I like the one I want to demo that song. It was taking a completely different route. And then when I went to record it, we just extrapped it down even more. And I just really like the way it turned out. Last time you were in Calgary, only not

5:07last time you're in Calgary. Last time I saw you in Calgary was a folk festival last summer. And you bust there at a band cover, little Dixie. Is that now in the repertoire was just kind of like a one time thing? Well, no, that was just like, I think that was just the three of us. We all really like the band. And I thought, you know, it would be fun to have a take a verse and all thing that harmony. That's just a fun to play. So I don't think that I'll maybe, you know, maybe down the road, I'll do it again. But it's retired for now. There you go. Is it a full band? Now, because I know, I mean, the last record was basically just a acoustic. And now this new one sounds a lot more full band kind of feel. Yeah, the tour is going to have like a full band with me. Absolutely. I'll still do the songs that are by myself by myself, you know, so kind of like,

5:52yeah, start off acoustic, bring the band out, go back and forth. That's cool. Yeah, like, it is like, like, like all over the place. Kind of like, I don't, you know, I don't want to bore anybody with just one type thing. And you won't. Are they your band hours? Just kind of you're bringing out your buddies on the road. Grab whoever can play. Yeah, like the bass, the bass player and drummer Dylan and Scott, these the plane that's been called raising the phone. Oh, no way. I know. Yeah. I will. They've been my friend for a really long time. So, you know, I couldn't cut continuously take the guys from a dock and block away from what they're doing. So I have that actually Dan from a pack of black is going to be playing with me as well. Like on sort of guitar and extra stuff because he happened to be in Vancouver. So he's just going to come to ride home with me and play. And I've got some other friends that

6:42are going to come out and sing some songs and stuff. And it'll be fun. Nice, man. You said they used to be in raising the phone. What happened? The phone is done? The phone is done. Yeah. Oh, that's sad. It is a bummer. Yeah. But we're not here. Yeah, we can talk about them. They are a great band. And like, if anybody's never heard of them, they should go on by the record because they're great. Yes. Yes, they are. But we're talking about your band. Let's play another tune. We'll go back maybe to the acoustic record. What do you want to hear? Scissors or like knives? Like not. How come? My favorite. My favorite. Don't show here at the Jack Singer. Then you're back for the Virgin Music Festival in June.

11:26And the hamper on that night as well. And I know Gord Downey's on the record. You think can maybe get him out on stage. Sing the tune with you? Well, it took care. I mean, I don't know. I mean, I would love if he would. But well, he feels up to it. I'm sure he will. If he's there in time, you know what I mean? Yeah, true. You never know. Yeah. Because they're probably coming in that day or something or I don't know. But yeah, I mean, I'm sure I'm going to see Gord in a couple of days in Toronto, I guess in a couple of weeks. So I'll see if we'll talk about it. Cool. Now, was that song Sleeping Sickness co-written or did you write it and then just say, hey, I got a little vocal part for you? Yeah, I wrote it. And just ask if you're saying the second verse for me. That's cool. I like it. Or whiskey. He sounds like he's trying to sing like you too on the record. Well, I kind of had demoed it, right? And sent to Tomb and he came into the studio and said

12:16that he liked the way I'd sang it. So he wanted to sing it that way. So there you go. Very nice. What was it like work? Did he teach anything in the studio? I mean, he's obviously been doing this for what, like 20 years now. No, he didn't really teach me anything about record. I think just the way he handled himself and the way he was very courteous about doing it and, you know, doing something that he really doesn't have to do, you know, that taught me a lot just to sort of, you don't have to be a dick because people like you, you know what I mean? And that's something that I really take to heart. And I'm glad to see that there's other people who have been doing it a lot longer than I am or I have, uh, I just feel like that as well. So how long have you been playing? I've been playing guitar since I was eight years old, but I mean, I've been making records or whatever,

13:02for about eight, seven or eight years now, I guess. What are you gravitating to more electric or acoustic? All like this song. That was actually

17:14how it's covering yesterday. Yeah, fair enough. But, uh, way it'll be with me on the tour. So I'm sure me and him will, uh, you know, get going on some more electric songs in the back of the bus. Nice. Oh, so you got like a full band with you. You got everybody coming with you. Well, wait, well, wait, wait solo, blade solo project is opening to our block lungs. Oh, no way. Look at that. I didn't know that. It's amazing. It should be. Yeah. I ask every band five questions, five quick questions, one word answers. iPod or CDs. Well, it depends. Some on two or the iPod. Fair enough. Let it or McCartney, you're not going to get one. You're not going to get one word answers from me. I'm sorry. That's okay. They're very interesting when you go a little more into them. Let it or McCartney. Uh, Dylan. I've never heard

18:02that. That's good. Alcohol or marijuana. I'm not really a beat. I'm not really a Beatles guy. Really? Um, you know, not yet. Anyway, uh, never never. The next one. Alcohol or marijuana? Neither. There you go. Song you've written. You're most proud of. Well, I don't know. That's a hard question for me. I don't really proud of anyone. Um, I think maybe there's a song called Miss Thing that I wrote for a man who I knew who passed away. I did that one. Yeah, the first city and color EP. Yep. There you go. And one word, city and color. Honest. Very nice, man. What's next for you? Uh, just this Canadian tour, really. And then touring and then hopefully, yeah, I'm going to tour till like the end of the year and then hopefully new Lexus record next year. It really does balance out for you. City and color record,

18:48Alexis record. City. It works out quite nicely. It seems to have started to. Yeah. We'll see. We'll see you at that. Let's see who last exactly. Let's, uh, let's close it up with one tune because you're on tour and, uh, I don't know. It just seems like a fitting closing song coming home. Okay. And why don't you tell people about it before we play it? Uh, yeah. That the song coming home is at first I started just, I wanted to write a song about places I had seen because I, this is probably in the middle of when we really started touring a lot more, Alexis. But then, uh, then I did the lady I was living with at the time kind of, uh, that situation ended poorly. And so it turned into more of a song based on that about that, I guess. So. As they always do. Yeah. All right, man. Well, thank you so much. All right. It was good talking to you. And I'll see you Sunday. Okay. Talk to you later. All right. Take it.

20:22I'm. I've never been to Alaska. Can tell you this. I've been through Nova Scotia. Sydney to Halifax. Well, I've never taken any pictures because I know I'll just be right back. Cause I'm coming home. I've seen the palace in London. I've seen the castle in Wales.

21:35Beside you a smell. Believe me. I'll stand your sadness. So I guess I should just hold my tongue. Coming home.

22:22I can chance it. I've always loved. Just have one last question. Let me hear.

Part 2

0:00Hey, this is Dallas Green from City in Color, and you're watching MSN Exclusives. Nail Young influenced you, because last time we spoke at the Junos, you were talking about Nail Young a lot. And then I hear the record, and I'm like, okay, I get it. I think he's always a source of inspiration for me based on the longevity that he's been able to carve out, you know?

0:47Doing what he wants. And I think that alone before his musical inspiration is what I would strive to be, you know, is to be 60 years old, still doing this, and still doing it the way I want to do it. And I like that about him, you know? I like that he doesn't care what people think. I like that he makes records the way he wants to make them. And that's sort of what I have always been striving to do and get to that point where I can feel comfortable making whatever I want and hope that there will be still some people who like it, you know? Well, I think we're going to dig this record when we hear it. Well, I mean, that's the goal, you know? I mean, maybe the first goal is just to make a record that I really like.

1:33And then, you know, hope that, because I'm the one who has to sing it over and over. Yeah. You know? So, yeah, I hope people like it, but if they don't, that's okay too. I'm not going to stop playing my guitar, because I don't make the top ten list or something, you know? Well, I'm talking about guitar like the first single thirst sounds nothing like any, it's the one tune of the electric on the record. Yeah, it's the one like, yeah, it's the one rocking. So how could, why is that the single to throw people off the same kind of? It just seemed like the right, the thing with singles, right, is that like radio stations, they're very, they're like supermodels, you know? They have to be babied and, you know, they have to like, they only do what they want, you know, you can't really like, you know, if you, well, it has to be three minutes and 21 seconds, can't be in anything over that.

2:19It's like, why? You know? And then if this station plays, maybe the station won't play it because it's not their type of music and it's like, so that song was just, sort of just worked out that we thought maybe it'll, it'll get played on the radio. Maybe that's the one, you know? They're not going to play the five and a half minute one that's my favorite song, which is what? Two coins. Okay. That's my favorite song on the record, I think, but they're not going to play that. So what's the sense of trying to service it to radio? So for me, the single doesn't really matter, you know, because thankfully the people who like my music or who have liked my music in the past usually buy the whole record. They don't just download the single, you know? And I like that, you know? I'm, I'm, I'm proud that people like my record. I don't think I've asked you that before. Do you, do you go in with the thinking, this is an album? This needs to be the track sequencing. This, this tells a story from start to finish.

3:12I mean, to a degree, there's not necessarily a concept right? Right. It's not, yeah. I mean, I, the sequencing is very important. And, you know, like, when I wrote Death Song, for instance, the last song on the record, I knew that was the last song. I knew there could be nothing after that song. And it was the same with when I wrote Hope for Now on the last record. Like, and then when I wrote The Hurry and the Harm, I, I had an idea that it was going to be first. Then as soon as we came up with that, like, sort of overdriven swell before I was like, that's going to lead the record. Like, that's going to start the record, you know? There's no way that can go anywhere else. And so things like that come into play. And I think about that, even in the digital age, even in the, I can pick my favorite song and just take that. I'm not doing that for you. Like, I'm making that record. I'm sequencing the record for me. That's how I need to hear it, you know?

4:03Whether or not you illegally downloaded it in the wrong track order or... Going off the thirst just for another second here. You film the video on film on a Star Wars camera? This is true. I guess it's true. Apparently it's the camera's used for to film Star Wars. You're a big Star Wars fan? What does it do? Something for you? I like them. The original ones. The newest ones were... Not so much. They were bad. In my opinion. Yeah, I didn't like it either. But why film? Why did you want this video to be on film? It's more Michael, really. I mean, if I never have to be in another music video again, I would... You don't like the process so much? It's one of those things that comes along with the territory. It's like doing interviews or taking pictures. I don't make records so I can do this. I mean, I appreciate it and I'm not mad at you.

4:52No, I understand. But it's the business side of it. It is. You know, you have to make a video to go along with the song. But my favorite part about it is like, I like to sing and I like to play my guitar. That's my favorite part. That's what I do this all for, so I get to do that. But Michael, the director, is very like me in the sense that he wants to keep film alive just like I like the idea of making it. I like the idea of making a real record. You know, using tape. Did you use tape for this? Yeah. And actually playing and singing every note and not just correcting everything because a computer can't. And thankfully there are still like-minded people like that who, just because you can cheat, doesn't mean you have to. So he was really... His idea visually had a lot to do with film and the way he was going to shoot it.

5:43And I'm all for that. I love people who are that passionate about their craft. And you can be a DJ and super passionate about, you know, pro tools and stuff like that. But that's just not where I- That's the city and color record I want to hear. With you and Ableton. Yeah. I mean, it might be okay. That could be interesting. But I like the- I like the tape-iss. I like the room. I like the- I like that you can hear. I like that it sounds like a human singing. There was one too- I wrote it down too because I love the mic-ing- Oh, on paradise. Of the acoustic. Yeah. Like it just sounds- sounds like the room. Sounds like I'm playing an acoustic guitar. Yeah, but I just- No, but you don't- I mean like it's not a joke. It sounds like I'm sitting in front of a microphone playing acoustic guitar.

6:29And that's what I was going for. You know, I want it to- I just want it to sound real. I don't know. Because that's where the music lends itself to. If I was making- If I was in the Swedish-Sophia, maybe we don't do that. You know what I mean? If I was David Gedda or whatever, like I get it. You know, you're doing your thing. But that's not what I'm doing. So I want to make records this way. You know. Well, it's making them records this way. Why are they changing band? Well, the thing with the band is like the- all the city and color records were never really made by a band. The first record is obviously just me in a guitar. The second record is pretty much just me in Dan Romano, my friend Dan. The third record is me and Dan with a couple different players in there.

7:17But this time I wanted to take my song ideas and have guys who are like experts in their craft. Take a hold of my ideas, like my drum ideas and my bass line ideas and see what they could bring to the table. It's supposed to me, you know, like I have a pretty good grasp of the bass guitar. And when I write a song, I write a bass line for it. But I wanted to see what somebody who is just an unbelievable bass player coming in. You know? And- Were you a fan of Jacks before rockin' tours, like Green Horns? Oh, yeah. Definitely. So when Alex, my producer, mentioned him, I was like, yeah, absolutely. Does he want to do it? You know? Like that's kind of what my- because I'd never made a record like this right with session guys.

8:02So my first reaction was, did they want to do it? You know? Like I didn't know how it worked. I was a little bit weary of the fact that maybe these guys were just going to be paycheck, you know, taking a paycheck and coming in and playing. And that's it. No investment in the song. No really like emotional attachment to it. And I wondered if that was going to change the way the songs sound. But really the guys Alex put together were so great. Not only musically, but personally as well. And yeah, it was a great experience. Where does the change come in to say, hey, let's go on the road together? Like coming in to do some tunes on records for one thing? Well, yeah, with Jack, I just sort of was like, we got along really well in the short time that- because like James, we played drums on two songs.

8:56He was there for one day. Matt played drums on the rest of the record. He was there for two days. But Jack was there for four or five days. And right away we just sort of, I think we felt we had a bit of a kinship with one another and, you know, making each other laugh. And we both like afternoon beers, which was a beer. I hear that was a big thing in the studio. Yeah, that was a big thing. So I basically was just like, hey, do you want to be, do you want to, what are you doing? Do you have anything going on? And he was like, I don't know. And I was like, okay, that's fine. And then about a month later I was like, what are you doing? And he was like, I'm in. And yeah, so, and then changing up the live band, I mean, Daniel, who used to tour with me, Daniel Romano, who's a wonderful singer-songwriter. And he's off doing his own thing. And I needed, not only did I want him to go off and do his own thing and not have to worry about like having commitments with me, but I also needed somebody to be fully committed to the band.

9:51So right there I had to make a change. And then I just thought, why not just switch it up? You know, it keeps me on my toes. It doesn't, it's not too comfortable. You know, it's like starting over and away. I don't know if you've noticed, but I'm kind of into that whole thing, is leaving something and starting something and putting some pressure on myself. And what tunes are they digging? Because now you're revisiting songs from the old records that I'm sure they're- Right, yeah. And that's a whole other reason for doing it is that it takes these old songs that I may or may not have become bored to death with. And it's breathed all new life into these songs. So it's great. Like we, you know, and we're like, it's like a whole new band. And I think the live show should be that. The live show should be a different interpretation of the song, you know?

10:37Like the record is there because you have the records listened to. And then when you will see the band, I don't know. For me, I never want- My favorite show is when you're at a show and a band comes out and starts playing a song you love and you hear something different in the song or you, they arrange it differently and you're like, oh, that's awesome. You know? So that's the way I am approaching the old songs. And it's been awesome. It's been a lot of fun. Did you do those shows with Pink again? Has that happened? So just watching, because her act is like trapeze and stage and swinging and you know, it's crazy stuff. Yeah, she's like the greatest living life performer. Does that inspire you to want to do that stuff? Or you never? No. Not that kind of thing. Absolutely not, because I'm not that type of person. You don't want to try the acrobatics and stuff. No. But I absolutely, like 100% respect that she gives the audience so much more than they deserve really.

11:25Because especially in her world where half of the people in her world aren't even really singing. Not only is she going out there and singing her ass off, but singing very well. Mm-hmm. You know? But she's also given you an unbelievable, a spectacle, you know? And in that world, that's what, you know, that's sort of what it is expected nowadays of you to like, the song is not enough for a lot of people. But yeah, I mean, it's not for me, but it's, I love her to death. I think she's unbelievable. Cool, we don't have too much time. So I hear a lot of league pass during the studio. Tons. Play-off time. Yeah. Predictions. Anything that's going to take it all? I think Miami, I don't think any team can beat Miami four times. That's the big problem. Right. I think you can get away with beating them once or twice, but I don't think anyone can beat, right now with the way LeBron James is playing, I don't think you can beat them four times.

12:17And that's the problem with series is right. You got to beat the team four times. And I just, he's just, he's just on some other level right now, I think, you know, physically, athletically, like, even mentally, like getting that first championship out of the way now. Yeah. It's easier for sure. This season, he's improved to you that he's like, you know, he's the only this guy this year to lead his team in points, rebounds and assists. Not to mention that he at any time he could guard any position on the floor. Like, it's never been a guy like that. You know, they really has it. I always say like, you know the LeBron, Michael Jordan argument. Yeah, it's a different player. Exactly. Kobe is the closest thing we'll ever have to Michael. You think Kobe's going to play another game? I think he will. I think his resiliency will. He's going to go get whatever the best technology is for he's going to get. I mean, he was the guy who did the German blood thing.

13:09That's right. And everybody was like, what? You got new blood. He was like, I went to Germany. I got new blood. So they were probably working on a new ACL form right now. But I think Kobe is like the closest we'll ever have to Michael because of the will and the scoring prowess. But I think Joe, I think what LeBron is doing now is he's going to, he's going to change the shape of the game because all these guys who were talking about, you know, who's the next Michael grew up watching Michael Jordan. And now that's a league full of guys inspired by Michael Jordan. Whereas now LeBron James has created this new type of player, you know, this new super player who can play any position defensively or offensively. And I think that is now what coaches are going to teach their young kids, you know. And that's what I think. I think that he's now changing the shape of basketball. Interesting. Yeah. He's probably not going to win as many rings. Maybe his stats won't ever be as big as Michael's. But that's okay, you know.

14:00But I think I think he's now LeBron James and now the league will look to create players like him. New of the brains. Yeah. All right. One last game before I let you go. Okay. Usually we do five questions, but you've done enough. I don't feel like doing it again. Okay. So, and if no one's done this to you before I'd be shocked. City or color? Canadian City or color. So is it a Canadian city or is it a color? Oh wow. I made him a little hark's gonna be a smart guy. Okay. Well, give it a shot. I like sport. Well, you've toured a lot of the country. Okay. Flocks. P-H-L-O-X. Canadian City or color? I'm gonna say a color. Color is correct. It's almost magenta-like. Okay. You know what I was thinking? Magenta. I don't know why. Probably because I was looking at that awning. Just somewhat magenta.

14:48Someone magenta. Now you've probably driven, I just gave one away. I did. Okay. That's okay. Give it to me anyways. Wawa. Oh yeah, of course. You have to. Do you know that Wawa is a chain of convenience stores in like Pennsylvania and New Jersey? Really? And the logo is a goose and it's like named after Wawa Ontario. Wawa Ontario. Interesting. They have great sandwiches. Good to know for next time in PA. Yeah, honestly. Minto. M-I-N-T-O. That sounds like a trick. I'm gonna say place. Correct. Yeah. Minto Ontario and Minto New Brunswick. Oh wow. Double Minto. Double Minto. Coke Wilicott. COQUE-L-I-C-O-T.

15:36Now see, that sounds like it could be in British Columbia. That sounds like it could be me. But I'm gonna say color. Color is correct. Yeah. It's an orangey red. Yeah. Malashit. M-A-L-A-C-H-I-T-E. Place. No color. You know what? I was thinking like Northwest Territories or something. Yeah, yeah. That's why I threw it on there. It's a little French too. Yeah. It's a tricky one. Okay. Vibrant green. Oh, I should have known that. Yes. Being a green yourself. Yeah. I'm pretty vibrant. Gamboj. G-A-M-B-O-G-E. Place. Color. Come on. I'm sorry. Spicy mustard like. Pick to. Place. Place is correct. Nova Scotia. Yeah. Water spout. Now see, this is one of those tricky ones. You'd think water spout is obviously a town. But. Maybe.

16:24But then it's like, it's some stupid color, isn't it? It is a color. It's a pale light blue. Yeah. Usoyuz. Color? No. Place. Usoyuz to BC. It's like the desert. It's this weird little desert town in BC. Oh, you should go. I should. Yeah. You should place. They have a cool little venue. I think you're probably too big for it now, but it's a cool little venue. Well, no, that's not true. Yeah. Would you play those little like house shows again? Yeah, definitely. One last one. City or color. Tabor. T-A-B-E-R. Tabor. Tabor. See, that's a weird one because it could, you know, Tabor Nova Scotia sounds like it flows right off the tongue. I'm going to say place. It's a color though. No. It is. It is. It is. Tabor Alberta. Tabor Alberta.

17:11Yeah. Awesome. Not bad. When I get three wrong. Yeah, something like that. I went through a tough. Right in the middle there. The triple color. The triple color. Yeah, the triple color. But I got that. You got cool quilicot. I got these two wrongs. Now, let's shoot in gambos, the French ones. Gambos sounds like it could be somewhere in Quebec. It probably probably is too. They probably is. I know I googled it. I checked. Okay. Thank you so much. That was great. That's good.