A lot is made of a band’s second album. It is either validation that the band is as great as they were on their debut, or confirmation that some bands just can’t live up to the hype. In the case of Caveman’s self titled second album, we get all of the validation we need.
For their debut, CoCo Beware, the Brooklyn-based quintet put together an album full of sonic goodness that plays as the perfect soundtrack for a Sunday afternoon.That’s not a knock on Sunday afternoons as much as it is a testament to how great the album is. Just imagine all of the best parts of Grizzly Bear, Fleet Foxes, shoegaze, and tribal music all rolled into one. They make it work. Trust me.
Caveman delivers more of the same, if not a little more refined. This is an album where you you can, in the words of Ron Popeil, “set it and forget it”. No track skipping here! If you aren’t hooked by the middle of the second song, the synth-heavy “In the City”, then you won’t be in to the rest of the album. But you probably will be.
Caveman is currently on tour in support of their upcoming album but drummer, Stefan Marolachakis, took some time to answer some questions for us.
First
of all, thanks for taking the time to answer some questions. I know
you’re currently touring the west coast ,which means you probably have
way more fun and interesting things to be doing right now so, really,
thank you.
No problem. Hanging backstage at the Independent in San Francisco right now, the vibe is nicely climate-controlled so it's a perfect place to do some typing.
You call Brooklyn home and I read somewhere that you are all originally from the area (as opposed to moving there because it was the cool place to be). What advantages, if any, have you gained by staying close to home and what recommendations would you give to anybody looking to make the jump from wherever they are to New York City?
Some of us are from Brooklyn, some are from Manhattan, and we are all obsessed with NYC. The biggest advantage of staying close to home is that we get to continue living in our favorite city, home to the finest bagels, pizza, Chinese food, and Woody Allen shoot locations in all the world. If you'd like to move to New York, I'd suggest watching "Manhattan" and googling "John Starks."
A lot of your success has come through social media and word of mouth. Are good songs and a Facebook page really all you need to start out? Do record labels do much for bands these days?
I think bands probably just need to keep doing what they've always been doing: working hard, making songs, traveling around with them, writing some more, doing it again. Eating as many tacos as possible between all of those steps would not hurt one bit.
I notice a lot of different influences in your music. Everything from 80’s pop to shoegaze to Crosby Stills & Nash (maybe some Young too). Was any of that intentional or was the stuff you enjoyed growing up just thrown into a blender and this is what came out?
I think we all grew up with different songs and sounds floating around our households as children. They all add up to make a stew we all enjoy both cooking and eating together. Cooking with the aid of a blender is good, but you have to make sure not to overuse it. You always want the meal to keep a nice texture--you don't want it turning into a strange, liquid mess.
Who would you say some of your contemporaries are? Fans of which bands need to come check you out?
We'd say that fans of the Stone Roses and the New York Knicks would deeply enjoy our music.
Your new album, Caveman, comes out on April 2nd. You are playing at Dan’s Silverleaf in Denton on April 2nd. Any special plans?
Boy, that's going to be a big night. Well, I've always wanted to get in one of those hot tubs shaped like a champagne glass. Perhaps that will be the magical night? Got any of those in Denton? I know they've got them back east in the Poconos...
Caveman will be playing Dan’s Silverleaf on April 2nd, the same day their self-titled sophomore album is released on Fat Possum Records.
