Interview... The Avett Brothers

The Avett Brothers

Interview with Bob Crawford

Words: Ashley Marie Sansotta

Photos: Ashley Marie Sansotta

The Avett Brothers bring a lot to the table. Their feel-good lyrics and

foot-stompin’ songs will make anybody move to the dance floor. And with

exploding stage presence, superb finger-pickin’ entertaining, and genuine

demeanor, what’s not to love? After the success the Brothers had with the

release of their last album, Emotionalism, it makes me wonder: What is it

that draws indie music lovers – just like you and me – to the music of the

Avett Brothers? I talked to the stand-up bassist of this three piece

nontraditional bluegrass band, Bob Crawford, about their success, their

tour, and festival life.

REAX: After such extensive touring, what is it like to be stationary?

What are you doing with the short time off?

Bob Crawford: Oh wow, at this point, it doesn’t feel like we’ll ever get

going again. We’ve been off for an uncharacteristically long time. It’s

a very strange feeling. Sometimes it feels very nice and it creates this

illusion of home and family. And it’s not like we’re working other jobs.

So, some days I find myself questioning my purpose in the world. I feel

like a homeless guy with a home. But, then I find myself playing the

piano every day, and working on my trumpet, and recording things, and

learning things, and reading books. And I can spend time with the wife

and the dog. It goes back and forth between feeling despondent and

hopeless - to feeling relaxed and invigorated.

REAX: You guys took a completely different approach in recording Four

Thieves Gone compared to Emotionalism. Why the change?

BC: With maturity and growing in the process – growing as musicians and

growing as writers – it was kind of like a natural step. When we did Four

Thieves Gone, we wanted a very live feel – very spontaneous. And we did

that. I mean, you know the story: we rented this cabin, bought all of the

equipment, we had friends come over. And a lot of the songs came from

that house. They were born there and they were recorded there. And that

was that process. So, we did that - and then it was time to do something

different. That’s what the next process was about [recording

Emotionalism]. And when it begins next time – whenever it may begin –

that’s what that will be. Hopefully, we will always be learning... and

that’s what it’s all about.

REAX: I love your new video “Paranoia in B flat Major” – just because

it’s totally how I visualize what life is like in your shoes. Is this the

case?

BC: I think they did a great job with it, didn’t they? Our

photographers, Mike and Lindsey (the husband and wife team from

Crackerfarm), took ninety percent of the pictures and did the filming.

The moment I first saw it, I thought, yes, it is... it’s very accurate.

And for me - to live it and see it - I just think it’s such a great

interpretation of life within the Avett Brothers. Absolutely.

REAX: There is a lot of buzz about this year’s Langerado Festival. What

do you like about playing at festivals verses the intimate show setting?

BC: If you do what we do, a couple nights you’ll get a theater (if you’re

lucky), or it can be a rock and roll club. It’s all emotionally

exhilarating and fulfilling. We play the dirty. We play the clean. And

at a festival, they tend to treat the bands really well. The food’s good.

The atmosphere is great. There’s other people we know from other bands.

It’s like a rock and roll vacation.

REAX: How did the “Pretty Girl” series of songs come about?

BC: Well, it came about at a time when we were all into Jimmie Rodgers

and Ramblin’ Jack Elliott a whole lot. Jimmie Rodgers, in particular, had

the “Blue Yodel” series. There were several different “Blue Yodels,” no.

1, no. 2, no. 3, no. 4, etc... The “Pretty Girl” series is similar to

that. You meet a lot of different people - and women are attractive in

many different ways and for many different reasons. Every one has their

own energy to them. It’s a way to create a theme of maybe someone real,

or someone inspired by real things... But, you can’t put every girl’s

name in a song. [laughs]

REAX: Of course, my personal favorite is “Pretty Girl From Cedar Lane.”

[The song is about a pretty girl from Cedar Lane named Ashley.]

BC: Uh-oh! It could be about you, Ashley! [laughs]

REAX: My favorite thing about the diversity of your audience is seeing

the people under the age of 30 appreciating the harmonicas, the banjos,

and your harmonies. Why do you think you have been able to acquire fans

of indie music so effortlessly?

BC: I ask that question a lot, actually. I ask that very same question

that you just asked me. There has to be a genuineness. I mean, the words

are great and music is catchy – sure. But, I think that there is

something more going on. I think it’s more of an energy thing than a

spoken thing. There’s something that we do - just by default of being us

- and it’s something very natural and very organic. And I think that

people can really identify with that. I think that’s maybe what it is.

REAX: It’s so refreshing how Scott and Seth (being that they are

brothers) are able to work so closely together. How do you view this

dynamic?

BC: I grew up around a lot of brothers, and I’ve never known brothers

that are so good to each other. They’ve told me in the past that their

father always told them when they were young, “You’re going to meet a lot

of people in this world that aren’t always going to be very friendly to

you, but you guys have each other. And don’t ever forget that. You’re

brothers, and no one can take that away form you.” They were raised

really well, and they come from an amazing family. They’re a real special

combination. I don’t know what it is. But, I’ll tell ya, it’s a real

special thing.