NW Noise Interviews
Boy Eats Drum Machine Interview
Hey Boy! How’s it going?
wasup tim(!) it’s going terrific. thanks for the interview:)
Who else is in BEDM, and describe them?
my words can’t really capture the awesomeness of peter and benjy but I’ll try:
peter swenson is an english major at PSU where he writes about music weekly in the Vangaurd and takes many trips to get coffee or cha cha cha. he has a cutting wit, emmits endearing smiles after hearing bad one-liners and plays a mean drumkit.
benjy rickard is a sixth grade teacher who enjoys watching the seattle seahawks. he also has a cutting wit and specializes in finding the funniest space to insert dry observations. he plays synth, guitar, and percussion and sings backup too.
What’s your musicial background?
I grew up with top 40 radio and school choir musicals. I played ‘johnny appleseed’ as a sixth grader at binnsmead middle school. my voice was changing so I had to sing one song strainingly high and other in a shaky low tone. as you would expect the 8th graders let me know all about how they noticed by giving me note-by-note replays of my solos. my brother was the ringleader. I’ve tried to be bulletproof ever since.
What’s your history with Portland? Native son? or, Adopted?
born and raised in SE. the youngest of 4 kids. went to bridger and clark elementary, binnsmead middle and benson tech.
How did BEDM come together?
I recorded ‘pleasure’ in my basement. after getting an interview with the WW I decided maybe it would be good to play some shows. peter, benjy and myself decided to do bedm together while eating burritos at burrito loco on 82nd. fittingly, burrito loco was also our first stop after getting back from our east coast tour. two days later we got offered a show at the doug fir (dec 4th 05’ opening for princess superstar) and the rest has gone by far too quickly.
Where did your inspiration come from for the name and style of music you play?
I really like pac man and wanted to do some music like hip tanaka (metroid). so boy eats drum machine sort of embodied that image for me. of course, I sold my mpc 2000 (drum machine) and I don’t use video game sounds anymore. it’s too late to change the name now though. my main influences are currently dj shadow, the roots, menomena, death cab for cutie, and neil diamond.
Describe the process of recording Pleasure?
I went down to the basement and didn’t come back up for a month. honestly that’s what happened. I never intended to make a ‘real’ cd untill it was too late to turn back. after I was done I got really depressed. actually I was even more depressed when I started the disc:) but I was happy while I was recording it.
You recently toured the US, how was that experience?
we had a safe and fun tour. we got to sightsee in NYC and DC. we played oleaver’s in omaha. we ate at a real-deal waffle house in the south and sipped some sweet iced tea in tennessee. we also acrued some debt. a few of the shows didn’t pay. but I booked it myself and nobody had ever heard of us before so I suppose that’s par for the course.
You guys planning to tour again soon?
definately.
Are you setting time aside to record your next album
it’s lookin’ like october/november/december
Who is playing on your iPod/CD player right now?
the roots ‘game theory’: amazing!
new jeremy enigk: his voice does it for me and the second half of the disc is magnetic.
new outkast: a few of the tracks are pretty good and the one with the marching band is my current fav.
new dj shadow: my fav artist. havn’t gottin’ into this one though. it might not be a record I listen too much.
the ecclesia- birdsong over the interior castle: as far as sound texture music goes this is some of the best I’ve heard. I really enjoy this disc.
pdx pop now 06’: some really good stuff here. twoplatters to taste test from. menomena, siren’s echo, laura gibson, thermals highlight it for me.
architecture in helsinki: perfect for driving over the ross island bridge. fun stuff.
Artist/band you’re currently digging in Portland?
been blown away most recently by nice nice, laura gibson, talkdemonic, and menomena.
Where can people buy Pleasure and where can they see your next performance?
music milleniums, tower east, EM, borders beaverton, jackpot!, cdbaby.com—-stores can order from burnside distribution. next show: sunday oct 1 at holocene opening for asobi seksu (brooklyn) and darker my love
(SF).
Thanks Jonny!
thanks again(!)
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