An interesting thing is happening to My Morning Jacket. With the release of last year's Z, the band proved they have more in them than a bunch of Southern-fried noodling. The album is full of experimentation, disparate sounds and bombast.
This cross-over has earned them praise by both indie-rock and jam-band fans alike as well as critics across the board. And they even attracted the attention of the Boston Pops, who invited MMJ to join them for two nights this June.
I chatted with drummer Patrick Hallahan just before MMJ hit the road with Pearl Jam -- and immediately after being interviewed by a reporter in the Falkland Islands -- who knew MMJ had fans off the coast of South America?
We discussed the band's changing landscape, rotating players and MMJ being called America's Radiohead.
Read the Q&A below or stream the interview.
Q&A with MMJ's Patrick Hallahan
SG: You straddle two musical worlds – that of jam band and indie rock. How do you compete in the two places?
MMJ: I think, I like to think we don't think about it. We've never tried to be indie or a jam band. I don't think we're either. I think it's incredible that any crowd takes us on as something they enjoy. Those two audiences – which are the two most separate or intense factions of music fans, I have no idea. It's a huge blessing.
SG: Are you ever shocked at the mix in the audience?
MMJ: It never ceases to amaze us. It's probably one of the most beneficial things as being a touring band. We look out there and it's ageless and there are no division lines between the people – it's such a hodge-podge of everybody. It's always been what we've wanted to do – appeal to so many people all over the place. You don't get far that way. We never wanted to make one sound.
More MMJ after the jump...
SG: But you're also touring with Pearl Jam, who has a heavier sound than MMJ.
MMJ: We were as shocked as most people were [they asked us]. They first approached us around the release of Z and it didn't really materialize and they asked us again. It was a huge honor and we've received so much support from the Pearl Jam fans emailing us that they're so excited we're playing together. If you can win over a Pearl Jam fan, you've done a good job. They're renowned for being music fanatics. They love what they love.
SG: I hear you always play drums barefoot and sometimes blindfolded?
MMJ: [laughs] I always play barefoot. If we're in a really bad club there's no way I'm barefoot. Since I was a kid I've always played barefoot. It's like playing guitar with mittens.
SG: On Z, you guys dabble a little bit in reggae, some slight surf rock and a little soul.
MMJ: I believe that part of Z was a conscious effort and a majority was a result of change and growth between the years of It Still Moves and Z. So much happened between those albums. It couldn't be a gradual step – it had to be huge. We went through so much that it was a reflection.
SG: What happened?
MMJ: There was so much touring going on in general. You get cramped together and get bogged up and thrown down and the end result was that it was amazing that we all still liked each other and wanted to make music together. This band has a force of its own that we don’t' have a hand on. It just keeps going forward. You just know when it's right and wrong and now it just feels so right. It's proven to us that it's something we should be doing. Just because we take off six months doesn't mean we're out of practice. It was surprising that we just picked up [where we left off].
SG: How was it to leave the comfort of Louisville to record Z in Upstate New York?
MMJ: It fell right in line with all other changes going on and it was so welcome. It was very exciting recording because of all the changes. We had no idea what was going to happen. We had all these songs that were so different from our last album. And we had a producer, period. It was the first one out of the farm.
SG: At the end of the day are you more country or more rock and roll?
MMJ: We're all rock and roll. And when I say rock and roll, we're every facet of rock and roll. I don't want to be a hard rock band either. The country elements seeped in because of where we are. You're a product of you're environment. Nothing off Z really sounds too country. We're maybe moving away from that.
SG: What does it mean to you that some critics have called you America's Radiohead?
MMJ: It's a huge compliment from everyone that's ever said it. In terms of the next step, I can see that somewhat. I hope this isn't our OK Computer; I want to make more. It was the point they really honed their craft. They went from Pablo Honey to The Bends, but they were a really restrained. With OK, they were completely naked on that album. They had no boundaries. It represents Radiohead at Radiohead.
SG: Do you feel like you still have some clothes on?
MMJ:Yeah, we let loose but I want to let loose more.
SG: How?
MMJ: Just being together and becoming better musicians and growing spiritually and all the essential for growth.
SG: Following the Pearl Jam tour, you're playing a couple of dates with the Boston Pops – is this creative collaboration made in heaven?
MMJ: It's an absolute dream – beyond dreams. To be able to work with not only a symphony but the Pops … it's out of this world. We were dumbfounded and excited about this whole thing. The collaboration is going to be incredible. I feel like we're all on the same page as far as how we want to approach things. We're both open to interpretation. They're playing for an hour each night and then we come out for the second hour and back us up. They're writing music to accompany our songs. Just to have them take that approach says a lot about them.
SG: Would you try to record and tour with a symphony?
MMJ: That would be an absolute dream. I don't know if that's feasible but it would be a dream. Just to have multiple musicians to make this beautiful ball of music….
SG: What happens the rest of the summer?
MMJ: We're doing more festivals and taking some time off. Our main thing from now on is to tour a little more sparsely and tour smarter. We're going to make more use of our time and take time off so we're not too worn out.
SG: How do you spend days off when touring besides relax and sleep?
MMJ: We love local restaurants and want to explore the city. We ask locals where the good spots are to eat. For most people, a great pleasure is an excellent meal. We try to pick towns that we either know well or don't know at all and try to dissect them. We try to rest up and read and get mental peace from all the craziness that is touring.
SG: You and Jim have known each other for like 20 years right? How has that helped or hurt your musical relationship?
MMJ: In the big picture, it's helped. We understand where each other are coming from. We never have to think about things. We have this unspoken thing that has helped in a lot of instances. We just kind of know and it's helped greatly. It's really there between the whole band.
SG: Is there ever any jealousy because he general gets the spotlight and credit for the music?
MMJ: No. I was a friend and fan of the band before I was a member. I know it's his baby. I've seen it from his fledging state. I could never be jealous. I never realized I was going to be a part of it until he asked me. He has such a brilliant mind that it should be celebrated. Give credit where credit is due.
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