Shearwater Interview: SXSW 2010

Five-member band Shearwater has a distinct and dramatic sound. It's been described as psychedelic folk or, conversely, indie rock. The band's sound is heavily influenced by lead singer, songwriter and the multi-instrumentalist Jonathan Meiburg. After graduating from college, Meiburg traveled the world on a fellowship, documenting the experiences which would later influence his music. Spinner recently caught up with Meiburg to talk about his travels and music before SXSW.

Describe your sound in your own words.

I don't have a good answer to that question. You have to listen to the album. I've never had a good answer for that question.

How did your band form?

In Thor's [the band's drummer] cave.

What are your musical influences?

Nina Simone, Klinik and Secret Museum of Mankind

How did you pick your band name?

I studied birds and I've always loved shearwaters. They have a musical sounding name. Their lives only intersect with ours every once in a while. They have the longest migration of any other bird, which kind of has something to do with how much time we spend in the van as a band. I'm happy with that.

Beatles or Stones?

The Zombies.

What's your biggest vice?

I'm not telling you my biggest vice!

What's in your festival survival kit?

A towel.

What's your musical guilty pleasure?

I don't think there's any such thing as a musical guilty pleasure in music.

What's the craziest thing you've seen while performing?

I once played in this band where the singer sailed off stage into the audience by accident. There was a long uncomfortable silence that followed. But he was OK.

What's up next?

We're going to tour in the U.S., then tour in the U.S. some more, then tour in Europe, then tour in Europe some more, then we'll tour in the U.S. some more, then tour in the U.S. some more and they'll we'll be 85 years old.


Kelly Rose is a contributor from Seed.com. Learn how you can contribute here.