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October 22, 2008

CMJ Jukebox: Starfucker

Continuing to shine a light on some of the lesser known acts on tonight's awesome three-stage circus of an After the Jump showcase, we now direct the beam towards Portland's crudely named art-poppers, Starfucker. I caught up with chief songwriter Josh Hodges as he attempted to carbo load at a Greek restaurant in Queens to prepare for roughly two point three gazillion CMJ shows scheduled for the next few days. He ducked into a back alley* to chat about a few of his favorite songs, and duck a super-serious Q about one of the band's own instant winners...

Deerhoof - "Kidz Are So Small"

Jeff K: Though Deerhoof are obviously respected as an active band, they're becoming an increasingly big influence on the next wave of bands coming up. What is it about them that inspires you?

Josh Hodges: Well, for one they are all incredible musicians, but that's not it. They're just really creative while still having an amazing pop sensibility. I always think of them as music for musicians. A lot of musicians I know don't like to listen to a wide range of bands. I'm kind of like that too, I have like four bands that I love. I'm rarely impressed, rarely find something new that I really love. But Deerhoof is the kind of thing any musician can listen to and think, "what the fuck was that? I never would have thought of that, that's amazing." That's how I feel anyway. Such pretty songs, such moving songs.

JK: If you hear a new Deerhoof song do you find yourself itching to record something?

JH: For me listening to them is like taking a class. I feel like I'm studying. The Flaming Lips are the same way, I'll just listen to the production and think, "Wow, how did they think to do that?" So the next time a do go to record, I'm thinking about how it was impressive to me, and how I'd like to make something that was also impressive to me, you know, if I didn't make it.

Why? - "Gemini (Birthday Song)"

JK: The second song you sent over was the Why song, "Gemini"...

JH: Yeah man, that song, that song just kills me. I just watched the video two days ago, I've heard that song a thousand times and I cried again. I can't not. The song is like the most romantic song I've ever heard.

JK: "Happy Birthday" is probably one of the most enduring songs of all time, even the Beatles failed to dethrone it. Do you think Why? beat it?

JH: Yeah, I guess. I didn't even know that was the name when I first heard it. To me, it seemed like such a personal song where he just nails so many things on the head. That guy, I think he's a genius. Definitely a wordsmith.

Okay - "My"

JK: The third song you chose was "My" by Okay...

JH: Yeah, another song that can make me cry.

JK: I wasn't actually familiar before you sent it over, but it struck me as falling into a big swath of "indie rock" that features pretty melodies sung by a somewhat imperfect voice. In general, do voices that are a bit imperfect hit you more than voices are unquestionably beautiful?

JH: No, I think Elliott Smith had a beautiful voice and I consider him one of the great modern songwriters. I don't know, it's not that I prefer one over the other. I like pretty vocals too. You just have what you have, and then when people make what they have work it's totally inspiring, you know? That guy's actually sick, which is why he probably sounds like that. I don't know that much about him but I know that he can't perform almost ever.

JK: Oh yeah?

JH: Yeah, he can't tour and stuff, he has some disease.

JK: Wow.

JH: So it's not like he's faking it, trying to make his voice sound that way...

JK: (sheepish) Oh, no, not at all.

JH: I definitely appreciate it when people are honest. I think honesty is one of the key ingredients in quality. It's undefinable, but that's how people in different genres, different artists, their experience comes through. I think that's what moves people.

JK: I getcha...

...and now on one of yours...

Starfucker - "Rawnald Gregory Erickson the Second"

JK: I think it's a great song. What appeals to me is that there both the very strong bassline rhythm to it, but also the really pretty floating melody. If you HAD to choose one, rhythm or melody, which one is more interesting to you when writing a song?

JH: Oh man, they're like different colors on the canvas. I dunno...

JK: It's a knife point question: rhythm or melody?

JH: I think they work together...

JK: Then which do you start with?

JH: Rhythm, I guess. The beat.

JK: Does the beat suggest a certain melody to you, or are there infinite melodies that can work for each?

JH: Multiple, definitely...

JK: So how do you know when it's right?

JH: I never know, man.

--

Starfucker hit the main stage at the Knitting Factory, tonight at 8 PM sharp.

--

*quite possibly with some roly-poly little bat-faced girl

Posted by Jeff Klingman at October 22, 2008 08:55 AM

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