How does a British musician adapt when he grows tired of making intelligent music? Easy: He forms a band that makes sleepy American music.
Neil Halstead, singer and guitarist for Mojave 3, once led the groundbreaking band Slowdive, a pre-eminent "shoegazing" group. (The term comes from the fact that the guitarists spent so much time adjusting their effects pedals, it seemed they were fixed on the tops of their feet.)
Now, Mojave 3 is set to begin a tour of North America that will bring them to Carrboro's Cat's Cradle tomorrow night.
Speaking to Recess from Los Angeles, Halstead gave us some insight into his latest sound. He gives American music credit for changing his style: "Slowdive were very cerebral. Then I listened to lots of Bob Dylan and Gram Parsons. [As a result] I think Mojave 3 are a lot more natural."
Mojave 3's last two records, Out of Tune and Excuses for Travelers, certainly recall the folk stylings of someone like Parsons, but the exceptional songwriting elevates the music from derivative to complimentary.
Halstead's songs often deal with heartache, but he denies that love has tortured him. "I don't think I've suffered more heartache than anyone else-most people just aren't fortunate enough to tell everyone else about it."
Bandmate and former Slowdiver Rachel Goswell has undoubtedly dealt her share of heartache in the past, due in large part to her mysterious good looks and sublime voice. Halstead insists that we'll be hearing more from Rachel soon. "She's just starting to grow comfortable with her songwriting in Mojave 3," he said. "She'll have more songs on the next record."
And does this cerebral troubadour of heartache have any advice for us kids on Valentine's Day? "I'm not usually in the country during Valentine's Day," Halstead said with a laugh. "So that's my advice: Be in the same country."
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