Deerhoof are a band that DEFY definition. Originally an improvised punk duo from San Francisco, they quickly found their feet within the underground avante garde scene of the mid-nineties, gradually multiplying into a four-piece and supporting other seminal acts such as Sonic Youth and Lightning Bolt in the process.
They recently celebrated their twentieth anniversary with the release of their thirteenth album “La Isla Bonita”, yet already they’ve started working on the follow-up. TAG’s Jimmy Volts caught up with drummer and founding member Greg Saunier …
Deerhoof are a successful experimental collective, which makes them as rare as a Californian Condor. Today, they’re powering on with a hardcore transcontinental fan-base, an ever-increasing public profile and all whilst retaining that elusive “cool factor”.
Throughout their career, they’ve maintained fierce independence, managing themselves behind the scenes as well as forging a unique back catalogue. So, is this creative juggling act ever difficult for them?
“No.” Greg explains. “The more people are involved, the trickier it is.” Continuing on to describe each person’s role, Greg elaborates; “I’ve been the band’s liaison to labels and publicists. Ed does social media. John works with our booking agent. We mix and master our records. When we don’t have a sound person with us on tour, I’m the one making friends with the house sound engineer and lighting designer telling them “less kick drum” and “more green”.
People still seem surprised to see us manning our own
merch desk at gigs!”
The state of the music industry these days has meant many emerging artists choose self-management, but few acts can claim to have lasted as long as Deerhoof whilst maintaining such independence.
So what’s the secret to
their longevity?
“Not establishing a band
identity or a band sound.”
Greg replies succinctly. Sounds simple – the band’s sound is of course of the utmost importance. But we think Deerhoof’s seemingly limitless supply of experimental and yet listenable material helps to keeps the band progressing on a fresh and exciting path.
To what do they attribute this seemingly endless output?
“Actually, with four songwriters in the band we have to cut down on material! You’d think we’d have a system down but songs always come in surprising ways. Mostly I compose in my head and write it down. I’ve got scribbled melodies on scraps of paper all over the place!” Greg confesses.
And what about motivation we wonder? It’s clear there’s no shortage of it in this band, what’s their secret? “I always imagine an audience” shares Greg. “They could be listening really closely, or they could be dancing and going wild. Often they are incredibly cute!” he tells us, about his own personal m/o.
And who wouldn’t be motivated by that! Speaking of personal m/o’s, the band are into quitw different styles of music. Perhaps this helps to make them tricky to pigeonhole? “It seems like our music is very easy to pigeonhole – people do it all the time!, it’s just no two people pigeonhole it the same way! One person says ‘catchy pop’ and another ‘un-listenable noise’.”
Well however you choose to describe them, the fact that they’re already working on the next record proves they like to keep things moving. So how have things been going in the studio? “Not a studio” Greg corrects, “…we’re recording in Ed’s basement. Not that there is anything wrong with Ed’s basement. One of the best things about it is the kitchen which is right up the stairs. Satomi and John are both fantastic chefs and I’m considered a fair saucier. Ed’s a great taster – he says “mmm” a lot.”
“We don’t have a rehearsal studio” he goes onto explain “…we all live in different cities – we’ve taught ourselves how to record and mix just by doing it, and learned to love it. No studio means no clock. No producer means no rules.”
Obviously, Deerhoof are a law unto themselves, and if they continue to produce the same quality of music, long may it remain that way!
Catch Deerhoof at Patterns this Summer in Brighton on Wednesday August 26 , 7.30pm, £12, 18+ .
For more on the band and other live dates see deerhoof.net
See patternsbrighton.com for more on the venue.