The Low Anthem Interview

From the first moment I heard the falsetto voice come in and sing the words, “Set the sails I feel the winds a’stirring / Toward the bright horizon set the way / Cast your reckless dreams upon our Mayflower / Haven from the world and her decay,” I was entranced by The Low Anthem. This was at the end of 2008. The band had recently independently released its album “Oh My God, Charlie Darwin.” I loved this record (still do) and it made my best of 2008 list. But hardly anyone had heard of the band or heard the record at this point. When 2009 came around, Nonesuch Records (home to bands such as Wilco and the Kronos Quartet) re-released it to wide distribution—and to very wide acclaim. “Oh My God, Charlie Darwin,” made many best of 2009 lists and was hailed as one of the finest Americana recordings in recent years. I agree.

In 2008, I wrote about the record saying, “This record kicks off with what I think is the most beautiful song of 2008, “Charlie Darwin.” This indie-Americana trio played all of the various 27 instruments used to make the album. And in doing so created a masterpiece that speaks to our search for meaning in a chaotic world.”

Ben Knox Miller and Jeff Prystowsky formed the Low Anthem in Providence, Rhode Island in 2006. Together they released The Low Anthem’s first album, “What The Crow Brings” in 2007. Also that year, classical composer and musician Jocie Adams joined the band.  And 2008 brought the release of “Oh My God, Charlie Darwin.” The members of the band all play multiple instruments including guitar, bass, harmonica, piano, clarinet, pump organ, and zither.

For The Low Anthem 2009 was a huge year. Not only did they have the re-release of “Oh My God, Charlie Darwin.” In addition, the band had appearances on television on Later with Jools Holland, and live at such important festivals as South By Southwest, Bonnaroo, Lollapalooza, and the Newport Folk Festival.

Now in 2010, they’ve already started working on a new record that will hopefully be released this year. Also, the band is currently touring as the opening act for the Avett Brothers and that’s what is bringing them to Ithaca on February 26 at the State Theatre. I usually don’t profile the opening band for a concert, but I’m so passionate about this band that I really want to focus attention on them. I got the opportunity to ask Jeff Prystowsky some questions. As the band was in Europe at press time, the interview was done via email.

Dynamic Meter: “Oh My God, Charlie Darwin” came out independently in 2008 and then was re-released by Nonesuch in 2009. The album, and the band, seem to be a great example of a slow build and giving music time to find an audience. How has this approached worked for the band? Was it intentional?

Jeff Prystowsky: We were just doing what made sense to us. We started small and grew as more people heard about the shows and the record.

DM: There’s a real intimacy to the sound of “Oh My God, Charlie Darwin.” How was the album recorded?

JP: We recorded it out on Block Island [an island located 13 miles off of the coast of Rhode Island], and set up a home studio in the basement of a house. It was ten days of madness and beauty.

DM: You all play multiple instruments. Are you all largely self-taught?

JP: Well, we’ve all had music teachers. Jocie is the only one with formal classical training. I’ve studied jazz bass. But yes, we’ve taught ourselves a lot of the other instruments we play.

DM: The band’s lineup has changed over time from duo to trio, and now quartet. What was behind the changes?

JP: Just trying to stay ahead of ourselves. We don’t want to get too comfortable with the sound.

DM: How do you write and arrange your songs?

JP: Ben and I write the songs and we bring them to the band to arrange. We have a roomful of instruments, and we all walk around and pick ones up until we find something that works.

DM: How do you put your live set together?

JP: It really depends on the room. Tonight we’re at a college. But two nights ago we were in a church. And three nights ago we were in a rock club, and before that, a theatre. Each setting has it’s own vibe and we write our set lists special for each night.

DM: What artists, musicians, and others have inspired you?

JP: Short answer: for songwriting, Bob Dylan, John Prine, and Leonard Cohen. For arranging, Tom Waits.

DM: What bands are you listening to now?

JP: We’ve been spending a lot of time listening through our record collection for songs that would fit the themes for our weekly radio show on WOXY.com called the Tra-La La La Radio Hour.

Stream “Oh My God, Charlie Darwin” below.