Mackintosh Braun Interview: SXSW 2010

Posted on Mar 8th 2010 8:00AM by Courtney Gillette
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Roommates from Portland, Oregon, Ben Braun and Ian Mackintosh formed the electropop duo Mackintosh Braun in 2007, releasing a dreamy debut album, 'The Sound.' With their single 'I Won't Fall' featured in MTV's 2010 season promo spot, buzz is picking up around these darlings of indie pop. They recently signed with Chop Shop/Atlantic Records and are gearing up to perform at this year's SXSW to promote their upcoming album. Spinner caught up with them to chat about how they formed, their influences, and the first albums they ever bought.

How did you two form as a band?

Ben Braun: The band formed in early 2007 after I heard a few songs from a different project Ian was working on at the time. The production and songwriting really blew me away, and I knew I had to meet this guy. We ended up meeting and hitting it off right away. I think we started writing the first day we hung out. Ian ended up having to move out of his house a few months later, so I let him crash at my apartment in Portland. After a few months he moved in, and that studio apartment on Alberta is where we wrote all of our debut album, 'The Sound.' Two completely broke guys driven by music. We wrote more and more, and eventually knew we wanted to get this music out into the world.

Describe your sound in your own words.

BB: We're never sure how to answer this question, but we think our sound is a blend of electropop mixed with organic elements. We basically just want to sound as much like Prince as possible. It's not easy.

What are your musical influences?

BB: They range from the Beatles to Midnight Juggernauts and everywhere in between. Our independent release, 'The Sound,' was very much influenced by bands like Kings of Convenience, Royksopp and Air, as well as others. Our new project draws on those same influences, but we feel like we've created a more poppy, danceable record. We can't wait for people to hear it.

How did you come up with your band name?

BB: Well, this one is easy. Mackintosh Braun is made up of Ian Mackintosh and Ben Braun. To be honest, it was an easy choice and it's stuck. We like it.

What's your musical guilty pleasure?

BB: I'll say Hall and Oates. One, because our drummer--and my pops, Michael Braun--has also been their drummer for the last 20 years. And two, what beats 'Private Eyes' on a sunny day? I mean, c'mon!

Ian Mackintosh: I'll say Abba. They have some amazing songs, very ahead of their time. We definitely drew on them musically for this new record.

The Beatles or the Stones?

IM: Beatles!

BB: I was going to say the Stones, but I'm going with the Beatles. Huge influence on me and obviously music in general.

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

BB: Sorry to disappoint, but nothing too crazy yet. We did experience boredom while driving. How's that for crazy?

IM: Oh yeah, we found out that you can park your RV in any Walmart overnight. That's pretty crazy!

What was the first album you ever bought? Your first concert?

BB: I think the first album I bought was the Beach Boys' 'Pet Sounds' when I was eight years old--on cassette, of course. I felt so cool. And I'll keep it completely real, people--my first concert was Ninja Turtles Rocking Madison Square Garden. Those turtles rocked, man.

IM: My first album was Tears for Fears' 'Tears Roll Down.' I was about twelve. Pretty much everything I wrote after that was because of that record. My first concert was the Cure in the mid '90s. They played in Eugene, OR. It was a sitting show, which sucked, but they were great.

If you could open for any act, who would you want to open for?

BB: We both agree on this one. Daft Punk!

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