1090 Club 'Natural Selection' album

March 24th SideCho's 1090 Club released their album "Natural Selection". MusicRemedy had the opportunity to talk with Sean, Mike and Megan about their second SideCho album, beards, natural selection itself, dolls, USA economy, etc... It was a very interesting interview so enjoy!

Jermy Leeuwis (MusicRemedy) asks a question [Q 1]: For people who may not have heard some music from you yet... what can someone who's never heard of you expect from your music?

Sean: Hopefully something a little new and refreshing. We’re a pop band, but with some unconventional instrumentation and songs..
Mike: We are melodic, but seem to still have an edge to us. Our drummer Steve is an animal so no matter how pretty it gets, he seems to keep it dirty.
Megan: Hopefully it's something a bit different and appealing to people. We've got a somewhat strange instrumentation: guitar, piano, violin, and drums and all four of us share the vocal responsibilities. I think of it as dark pop music I guess.

1090 Club interview - continued
[Q 2]: Your upcoming album is your second album release on SideCho Records. Tell us about it.

Sean: Its called "Natural Selection". We went to Seattle and recorded it with Steve Fisk. He's been a hero of mine for quite a few years, so it was an honor.
Mike: We are really excited about it! We had been touring for quite a while before this record and spent a while hashing out the songs on the road. Really getting to know each one. This new record seems much darker at first, but offers a little hope I think. Although I really liked our last album, this one seems much more solid to me, thicker in a way. We really got to spend time on it and focus on bringing it together. The songs have a more wide variety of orchestration compared to the last record as well. we really wrote this one for a four piece band. The first record was written as a five piece with a bass player.
Megan: Our new record is called Natural Selection. We've been working on it over the course of the last couple years and are happy that its finally out for everyone to hear. We were fortunate enough to have Steve Fisk help us with recording it in Seattle at Avast! studios and his house.

[Q 3]: Which song on the album took the longest to complete? Why?

Sean: Hmmn, hard to say. We worked on the record as a "whole" so a lot of the songs had transformations as the others were being written.
Mike: I think the vocals on Earworm took quite a bit, but for the most part I think they all came out fairly quickly since we had already worked most of them up prior to going into the studio. The song Claire took a while too. It was a tricky one. These songs took longer because we just couldn't please ourselves. It got to the point that we just had to be done and let it go.
Megan: I can't really remember which one took the longest. Hearts was the last one that we finished and we were still working on that one when we started recording. I think we were just having a little trouble getting the last few kinks out of it.

[Q 4]: What a lovely photo, the group standing betweens those dolls/mannequins. In what way does that particular photo represent your album and life(-style)?

Sean: Hopefully we can stand out in a group of similar looking bands. In a sea of carbon copy bands and music, its hard to get on someone's radar if your not just dong the same thing..
Mike: Hmmm...never thought about it, but I can think of a few; "surrounding by fake people." "I could be mistaken for a dummy." "we are set apart from the crowd." I could get cheesier if you want.
Megan: We asked our friend Casey Riffe to photograph us and that’s the concept she came up with for us. I personally thinks it works for the record and the Natural Section theme because everyone’s trying to make it and stand out from everyone else.

[Q 5]: To what extent does the title 'Natural Selection' has to do with creating music free from modern influence and distraction?

Sean: Honestly, not too much. Its more of an album about choices we all make in life, good or bad, and the responsibilities that come with making decisions. We live in a world of no one wanting to be responsible for their actions, and ultimately you are.
Mike: We write and play what comes out of us. Not what we are told or think we should write. Yes, we would like to write a record everyone likes, but at the same time we are not set out to write that record...does that even make sense? We just do it and step away. Natural Selection could be about the "survival of the fittest," but since the fittest is a relative term in the music industry I like to think Natural Selection refers to making music for yourself. The end being just that, for yourself. If you get caught up in questioning what people think of what you do, then you become their prisoner.
Megan: I think being able to create music that is free from modern influence has a lot to do with Natural Selection because nowadays its important to have traits that will stand out and propel you forward in the music scene. Especially with the internet, and so many bands, its hard to get noticed.

[Q 6]: Your album was released 2 months ago. Anything you would change or like to add to the album?

Sean: I like the record as it is. Its a marker of where we are as a band.
Mike: Hell yes. I love, love, love the record, but every time I listen to the record I hear things I would change or fix. even if no one else hears it, I still find things that make me cringe. Although I think that’s true with lots of bands. Its tough to stop and just let the record be.
Megan: Every time I listen to it there is something that I'd like to change. I am totally happy with how it turned out but there are little things here and there that stand out occasionally. I would love to re-record hearts, for example, because after playing it live so many times I think it has a much better vibe now.

[Q 7]: In what way has your personal live affected your music? And what about the other way around?

Sean: Music has been a major part of my life for a very long time. I book and record music. I think life has always affected the way I see and play music. Its an emotional thing...
Mike: Music has always been a part of my life. Since I was 6 or 7 so it has influenced almost everything I do. It takes up most of my time now, but I love it. Its tough to pick out singular influential moments because both music and my personal life are ever connected and flow in and out of each other continuous. mobius life.
Megan: The boys do most of the song writing so I would say they're personal life affects the music most. I'd say the band affects my life more than the music does. Just the life experience a person gets from touring itself is insane.

[Q 8]: As a group/friends you got to know each other and therefore got used to each other. To what extent can creativity exist in a group when its members behavior have become common?

Sean: We still don't have a lot of common behavior, but definitely know each other very well. I believe that each having that difference in life has ultimately made our songs better.
Mike: Spending lots of time and getting used to each other doesn't always lead to common behavior or ideas. We are all very strong opinion people so we never really know what is common with us. We all get along, but have different enough home lives that we can't help but to feed off of each others creativity. I believe some bands that have all the same type of dude might get stuck in ruts, but the 1090 never really has that problem. I think if a band continues to challenge themselves then the creativity can't help but seep out into what they do.
Megan: I think we're more creative now that we know each other better because we're better at communicating, and we're more comfortable experimenting and playing together.

[Q 9]: One word: beard. Isolation, solitude, etc... all for the sake of music or are women digging it?

Sean: Ha, funny question. Interested in how Megan will answer this! Beard = Montana. Isolation = Montana... Women digging it?...depends on the market :-) Ha!
Mike: Beards are for warmth. Although now that its summer they might all come off. The women love Montana. The music loves Montana.
Megan: I'll let the boys answer this one. I think beards are okay though...

[Q 10]: What are your holiday plans?

Sean: What holiday are you referring to? Probably go on a quick trip. I'm headed out east on a crazy road trip to help my brother move to the east coast. That’s around July 4th.
Mike: BBQ!!!
Megan: Which holiday? I'm kind-of anti-holiday actually, but I am excited for some drinking and fireworks on the 4th.

[Q 11]: Any instruments you would like to learn to play on?

Sean: I play guitar and piano, and a little drums. I would love to learn how to mater the pedal steel (for real). Its the BEST instrument out there.
Mike: The steel-guitar or lap steel. Old time western style. I've always found it haunting.
Megan: Anything. I love playing different instruments. I've really been wanting to try playing mandolin lately. I just found out they've got the same tuning as violin. I'm pretty excited.

[Q 12]: How creative is it to accurately portray the creative process of living in Big Sky Country?

Sean: It helps when your not influenced by the hipsters in your town, and more by the beautiful surroundings. Both Mike and I have live in Portland for extended periods, so I think we have a good feel on both sides.
Mike: I'm not quite sure what you are asking? I guess to create the best version of the process of living in Montana is to not create it, but live it. But I'm not sure how creative it is. I mean we don't have to jump around like, "hey I'm an artist!!"
Megan: I'm confused.

[Q 13]: Do you think success and credibility are mutually exclusive?

Sean: No. Play music because you LOVE playing music. Everything else doesn't matter.
Mike: No. They can either exist nicely together or be very far apart. Some of the greatest and most influential players in this world will never be heard by the "main stream," and will never get out of the tiny dive bar. But they might be just content to do that. The more successful someone becomes the more their credibility is attacked.
Megan: Not necessarily. But maybe. It all depends on what your definition of success is. Someone may think they're successful because they have credibility but someone who's got cred may not think they're as successful as they'd like to be.

[Q 14]: What artists are you listening to at the moment?

Sean: I've been pretty bored with a lot of new music lately, so I've gone back to the mid 90's indie scene. That was some of the best and wholly under rated music ever. Currently.. Grifters, Rex, Three Mile Pilot, Pavement
Mike: I have been listening to P.O.S. a lot, The Mountain Goats, Bat For Lashes, umm...Girltalk. I need something new. I'm tired of all my music.
Megan: I just got the new Bat for Lashes, Of Montreal, and Santogold but I've also been listening to a lot of Cursive because I finally get to see them live at the end of the month. Yay!

[Q 15]: Are you living the American dream? Is it anything you hoped for?

Sean: American dream...not sure "The Dream" definitely. We’re very poor, but the experiences we've had together have been amazing and will last a lifetime.
Mike: I think so. I get to work at two of the things I most wanted to do when I was growing up, play music and teach. My job is both of those things. I love it. I make no money, so the dream ends there. But I would rather do what I love than make crap loads of money and be miserable.
Megan: I'm just winging it. It's someone's American dream. People love the idea of being in a band but it definitely has its perks and its downfalls. I'm pretty happy for the most part though.

[Q 16]: How does the weak US economy affect your daily life? How many houses are for your sale in your street?

Sean: Montana isn't really affected by the downturn (or upturns when they happen) Pretty level around these parts.
Mike: It really hasn't touched Montana too deeply. We are still fairing pretty well.
Megan: Montana doesn't seem to be affected quite as much as some places but you can definitely feel it. It just makes me want to buy a house pretty badly. I've been poor ever since I've been in a band so it's not too different for me.

[Q 17]: Recently, what is a typical day like for you?

Sean: Wake up, drink some coffee, Production manage a concert or tour book bands as needed. Get the promo out for my production company for upcoming events etc.. I've worked for myself for 8 years now.
Mike: Get up, coffee, work, coffee, read, play music, sleep. I eat in there too sometimes.
Megan: I work about 50-60 hours a week at three jobs: a burrito shop, a fancy restaurant, and a bakery. Trying to save money to move out of my parents basement. Hanging out with friends whenever I'm not working.

[Q 18]: Final words?

Sean: Thanks for the interview!
Mike: Not really, but thanks for your time. have a good one!

Jermy Leeuwis: Great interview! Thank you for your time aswell, 1090 Club.

1090 Club biography
Isolation and solitude might very well be a viable formula to creating music free from modern influence and distraction. Much like those who distance themselves from the bustle of the concrete jungle in order to clear the mind, location proves to be an essential aspect of musical creativity.

The four-some known as 1090 CLUB hail from Billings, Montana, a city surrounded by the simple characteristics in life. Some might not immediately deem Billings as a hotbed of musical variety but the CLUB has seen well beyond that horizon. By utilizing the aesthetic of their environment, the band has shaped a style that uniquely meshes their diverse range of talent and artistic vision.

On Natural Selection, the band’s sophomore effort off SideCho Records, 1090 CLUB justify that musical integrity. By collaborating with the legendary Steve Fisk (Nirvana, Soundgarden, Minus the Bear) the group has honed its sound to a pleasing balance through the deep know-how of the veteran producer.

Incorporating exquisite yet subtle violin and keys against a backdrop of upbeat tempo rounds out the distinctive 1090 sound. The band then tops it all off with contrasting harmonies that provide a surprisingly eerie accent. Although reminiscent of their debut release, Natural Selection presents a more mature structure demonstrating the beauty in battering drums and delicate vocals. When asked about the evolution their music has experienced, the members collectively answered:

“We've really come into our own as far as playing as a 4-piece. The compositions are much deeper musically, and I think the 4-piece format translates better. When we wrote the last record we were still learning to play together, and getting use to each other’s styles. Creativity in groups has a steep learning curve.” Not just a mere conveying of words, the buzz Natural Selection generated even long prior to its release led to a renowned Myspace recommends “New Artist” spot on the front page of the site’s Music section.

From the opening kick of the appropriately titled “ITSON” to the self-reinventing final act of “An Act”, Natural Selection gives the listener an assorted variety of styles to accompany the many moods of human nature. Not too complex yet matchless in its own right, the album accurately portrays the creative process rooted in 1090 CLUB'S experiences living in Big Sky Country. Exhibited through their humble yet driven approach to life, and as a sum of their straightforward attitude, the band proudly states “Montana as a whole is the greatest place ever. Billings is where our families live. We love that about it.” Billings will always serve as the foundation for 1090 CLUB but they are most certainly adamant about exposing Natural Selection to the world.

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1090 Club - Natural Selection