Jeremy Messersmith Interview: SXSW 2010

Since releasing his critically acclaimed debut album in 2006, Jeremy Messersmith has developed a loyal and growing following in Minneapolis. His 2009 follow-up, 'The Silver City,' solidified his reputation as a masterful lyricist and generated a powerful buzz well outside the Twin Cities. With a new album scheduled for release this spring and upcoming appearances at this year's SXSW, 2010 could prove to be a pivotal year for this gifted singer-songwriter. Spinner recently caught up with Jeremy to discuss his music, his upcoming album and his thoughts on SXSW.

Describe your sound in your own words.

My sound is vintage, throwback -- you could say singer-songwriter. My sound actually starts with the song and then I craft the sound to support it.

What prompted you to audit a songwriting course in college that ultimately became a turning point in your career?

I was studying classical guitar and sucked at it. I had never written anything before and realized that I enjoyed telling stories more than shredding bad jazz.

What comes first when you are writing, the lyrics or the melody?

If I'm lucky, a fragment of both -- maybe just a word or two or a scrap of the melody. If I had to pick one, I would have to go with melody, though I do keep lyric ideas around to eventually put with a melody.

I've read that you were not allowed to listen to the radio as a child. What drew you to music in the first place?

Well, I wasn't allowed to listen to secular music. I had a heavy background and influence from church music. The church we attended was small -- probably 30 people total for a Sunday night service. The band and choir members usually outnumbered the audience, so you had people playing trombone, saxophone, organ and singing. I remember playing a wood block as early as a five-year old, so my interest started early. In fact, my harmonic structure was heavily influenced by the old ladies singing behind me in choir.

You worked with Dan Wilson on your 2009 album, 'The Silver City.' Tell me about that experience and the influence he had on the final outcome.

It was a dream come true. 'Closing Time' came out about the same time I finally started listening to the radio and I thought it was king of radio. I even learned how to play it on the guitar. Coincidentally, I then moved to Minneapolis and became acquainted with Dan. A lot of times, producers insert themselves into the process and, as a result, all the records they produce end up sounding the same. When Dan and I started on this album, I asked him to help bring more out of me and force me to grow. I learned more from that process with Dan than I did studying music in college. It was the best musical boot camp you could imagine.

How did your band form?

I started off playing acoustic shows -- coffee shops and places like that. Then I met Andy Thompson, a gifted songwriter and instrumentalist who plays the drums. I was looping a lot of stuff when I was playing solo and when we started going down a retro/60s/pop route, we realized it would sound better with a live band. Dan Lawonn, who plays cello and keys, and Brian Tighe joined us. Brian is a SXSW veteran, having previously been with the Hang Ups, the Owls and the Starfolk.

>What are your musical influences?

Well, church music in general is the biggest. When I did start listening to radio, it was non-stop Top 40. Then in college I discovered more stuff. Radiohead was an eye opener. And then Aimee Mann -- yes, Aimee Mann was really big. I actually modeled 'The Silver City' on how I thought she would do it.

You've been compared to Elliot Smith many times. Do you agree with those comparisons?

Sure, I mean it's not like I'm a dude who plays the accordion. We both play the guitar, so yeah I guess I would agree and obviously don't mind the comparison. Elliot Smith was a very talented musician.

I understand MTV's 'My Life as Liz' is using one of your songs. Do you actively promote your songs for shows or do they simply find you?

I think a little bit of both. My publicist knows someone over there -- those reality shows use 30 songs or something like that. My songs popped up on 'Jersey Shore' a few weeks ago and have also been on 'The Real World.'

Do you see a bump on iTunes or myspace once your songs debut on these shows?

My booking manager will say things like, "Hey, you're getting a lot of plays on myspace today," so yes, I think it gives me a slight bump. If I can pique a listener's interest with just a snippet of a song, then I definitely hope they check it out and want to listen to the whole thing.

What's your biggest vice?

Caramel corn and Craigslist hookers [laughs].

What's in your festival survival kit?

One, a comfortable pair of shoes and two, some type of sun block -- we're a bunch of pale Northerners who haven't seen the sun in a while.

Do you remember your first celeb crush?

Oh boy, I'm assuming that most people would say Princess Leia, so let's go with -- let's see -- Mia Farrow from 'Rosemary's Baby.' Yes, Mia Farrow back in 1968.

What's your musical guilty pleasure?

Maybe William Shatner -- no, I've got it. Let's go with the Will Shatner of music, Neil Diamond. It's the CD I play on road trips that makes my wife want to destroy me. She hates Neil Diamond.

What's the craziest thing you've seen or experienced while on tour?

You've got to understand that most of my tours are like your mom's book club, so my crazy stories are fairly limited.

You've been working on a new album. Tell me more about that and when it will be released.

Sure, it's another concept album called 'The Reluctant Graveyard' -- eleven songs about death and dying, which pretty much guarantees no one will buy it [laughs]. Seriously, I think it is my best songwriting so far. I would characterize it as being in a Beatles wrapper so to speak. Oh, and it includes an orchestra, so it's big and epic. I'll be throwing out some mix tapes at SXSW and a few songs from it will be leaking out over the next couple of months. The official release is set for May.

With roughly 2,000 bands coming to Austin seeking recognition, what do you hope to get out of the SXSW experience?

I enjoy meeting other bands when I'm down there. Last year, we met KaiserCartel and now play some shows together, so meeting other bands is probably the best thing that comes out of it.