Deerhunter Choose Their Own Atlanta Adventure -- Top 100 Acts at SXSW

To many, Deerhunter are that indelible band of the future, creating soundscapes that churn with psychedelia, raining cymbals and slow-burn guitars. The Atlanta four-piece, led by Bradford Cox, have won acclaim from critics and their musical piers alike and are already being sighted as influences among burgeoning artists. Deerhunter's third studio album, 'Microcastle/Weird Era Cont.' was highly lauded as a modern masterpiece of shoegaze-infused songwriting. The band's follow-up, 'Halcyon Digest,' winds through surreal story lines and the same dense-but-catchy rock that made them famous. In a recent conversation with Spinner, the band spoke of growing up in Atlanta and why Bradford doesn't "do political."

So Deerhunter are back to being a foursome. Why do you think it keeps going back to you four?

Bradford Cox: Well I think there's a very special chemistry that happens between young boys when they come together and play music. When we first got together, it clicked.
I think the important thing is that we found a rare situation ... we have a pretty ego-less operation; we put each other all in equal ranking. We're all equally essential to the mix, as much as the media would like to portray it [otherwise]. I mean, Josh [Fauver] plays bass in the center of the stage... he's pretty much at the center of attention at the shows, and that's how we decentralize things a bit and control how we present ourselves -- to not be marketed by, like, an awful, evil record label.

So this is your fourth studio album. Can you talk a little bit about the inspiration behind these songs specifically as opposed to your last few albums?

BC: I think it's sort of an avant-garde album. It's very free form and it's very stream of conscious. I don't think that it would be appropriate for me to say what the inspirations for certain things were, because I don't think I understand them well enough and I don't want to sound like an idiot. Plus, I also think that what is important with Deerhunter is what we do as a band. So, if the inspirations are more personal, I think it's more interesting to hear how the audience translates it or how they take it. I've just never been a big fan of demystifying the oracle.

What's the story behind the album title, 'Halcyon Digest?' Would you share that with us?

BC: I will, but it's really just boring. It's two words that I thought sounded good together. And I thought it was really evocative and had a really strong meaning behind it. I don't mean to sound like a prick that just doesn't.... I sincerely want people to get an experience from the music and stuff, but I just don't know how to explain the certain specific choices.

I know some of you went to high school together. Can you talk a little bit about the best part about growing up in Atlanta and if any of that goes into your music somehow?

BC: Lock [Pundt] and I have known each other since we were really young. I like driving around in the woods and the ability to sort of divide your time between really, really quiet, almost pseudo-rural settings -- and yet to have access to culture, book stores, record stores, all 20 miles away: the ability to choose your own adventure. That's what I kind of enjoy. How about you guys?

Moses Archuleta: You're gonna look at me for that one?

BC: I'm looking at both of you.

Josh Fauver: I didn't go to high school with anybody at all.

BC: You know, they were actually in a juvenile detention center until they were 18, so this is probably a bad question for them. I'm sorry, I did not mean to bring it up; I did not mean to bring it up, I did not mean to bring it up, I did not mean to bring it up, I did not mean to bring it up.

So, what do you guys do when you're not recording or touring?

BC: Lockett likes to play tennis; Moses is really into food; Josh's legs are crossed so I'm not going to say anything.

Lockett Pundt: You know, there's an Israeli interview that you did recently.

BC: I didn't do an Israeli interview.

LP: You did somehow, without realizing it.

BC: No I didn't -- I don't do political.

LP: You were published in an Israeli newspaper because someone that writes for the Israeli [paper] put my picture in.

BC: Well, good for you -- that's fine. As long as Al Qaida don't attack me.

What do you want people to remember you for? What do you want your legacy to be?

MA: It'll be really cool if people are still listening to us and enjoying us.

BC: Yeah, I'd like to just keep going and making new records. I don't see any reason [we wouldn't] -- we don't have the things that tend to break up a band happening. If they each want to sing three songs on the album and I got one song to sing, I'd be happy. If they're happy and the album sounds good -- I think what we're all dedicated to is making records that sound good and we feel good about collectively. Whoever is singing is just singing because, it's like, why don't you sing this one? I guess what I mean to say nobody is oppressed in Deerhunter -- nobody's ideas are any more important than anybody else's ideas. I feel that should grant us some longevity. We do feel like family....RIGHT!!??

Catch Deerhunter's SXSW Set on Friday March 18 at Club de Ville (900 Red River) 12PM.

Watch Deerhunter's Interview on the Interface

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