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NW Noise Interviews
Brian Copeland Interview
Jason Gears caught up with Brian Copeland from Portland, Oregon’s own rock ‘n roll creation, Brian Copeland Band. The interview took place in late 2006 so it’s a little late on arrival to the Northwest Noise world, but it’s finally here and ready for your eyes to gaze upon. Enjoy, lovelies!
Brian, thank you for joining Northwest Noise in an internet chat for the website. How’s your fall season treating you so far
Fall has been busy with the release of the CD and playing shows. And now the holidays – seems to never be enough time…
Let’s kick start things by learning more about your latest project, “Velvet Crush”. What were some of the factors in getting this 10 track project off the ground and ultimately released?
I think most of all it was having a group of songs that I was pumped to put on a record and a great group of musicians to help make that happen. Once you have these two things, the rest falls into place.
Brian Copeland Band’s last release, “Daffodil” was released in 2003. Why has it taken 3 years to put out a new record?
To write ten songs and go through the recording process takes a lot out of you. As much fun as it can be, it’s also draining. So after Daffodil was released in 2003, we wanted to play live for the next year or so. Then it was a matter of getting everyone into the mode of recording again. We had some songs written, but it took some time for me to really get the material together that I would be happy with on a recording. I don’t just want to put three great songs on a recording – I want to record ten great songs. Then after the songs were written, it was just a matter of finding the funding to record and getting enough focus and time out of the band.
Is there a track on the album that resonates with you more than the others? If so, which track and why?
That’s a hard question, but I would have to say that “Bound” probably hits me the hardest. It’s a song about letting someone you love slip away without having any control over it…
How did Brian Copeland Band originally form and has the entity changed much musically since its’ inception?
Actually, the band was formed during the recording of Daffodil. I basically took ten songs and my bass player Rob Schrecongost into the studio with my producer Josh Millman. We hired the rest of the musicians and, in the process, put the band together. For example, I hired Wayne Thompson to play on the record and he liked the material so much he joined the band. Same story with guitar player Jon Taubman. Yes, things have changed quite a bit since getting all of us together. Daffodil was my record for the most part, whereas Velvet Crush was a combination of music styles and tastes from all four of us. It has really been a plus working with these guys.
Can you describe the album release party at Hawthorne Theater back on September 30th, 2006? What kind of turn out did the band have and just how exciting is it to have an album release party?
It was fantastic. We had Northwest Radio and Theory Trick on board for promotion. Great crowd, lots of energy, the band was really on – I think everyone was ready for this after three years!!!
Does the band have any plans for any Northwest or non-Northwest touring the remainder of 2006, going into 2007?
We will be playing northwest clubs for the next few months. We are working with a promoter in LA to plan a west coast tour for sometime this spring – cant wait!
In a sentence or two, what can fans expect at your live shows?
Fans can expect a tight show with lots of energy. We want our live shows to sound as good as the recording but with more energy…
Do you or your band mates have any favorite venues to play at around town?
The Buffalo Gap has been sort of a staple for us…it’s really the one venue in Portland that we pay consistently. Berbatis Pan is a great venue for us too.
Is there a venue you haven’t booked yet that you’d love to play?
Let’s see…Red Rocks…no really, in Portland it would probably be the Doug Fir.
How do you approach songwriting? In other words, are you more of a writer who locks himself away in his bedroom, only to write songs and take the occasional snack and bathroom break or if there’s inspiration smack dab in front of you while you’re out and about, do you pull out pen and paper where you’re at and have at it? Can you give an example from your music where your songwriting approach to a song was different than the rest?
I can’t force myself to write songs – if I locked myself in a bedroom, it would be so frustrating and I would just go completely crazy! I have to wait for songs and ideas to come to me. So I need to make sure I either have pen and paper with me at all times or my cell phone (so I can leave myself a message). I never know when something is going to hit me.
How did Josh Millman (The Superficials) get involved in helping produce and also engineer “Velvet Crush”?
We actually worked with Josh on Daffodil in 2003, which was great. I have known Josh for years. We used to play shows together when I was in The Furleys and he was in The Mavens. I have always really respected not only Josh’s ear but his arranging and songwriting.
Did Josh participate only behind the scenes on the record or did he lend his talents to any of the actual instrument/vocal tracking?
Basically, I would bring in the songs, and rough arrangements. We would then inject some of Josh’s ideas into the tunes. Josh didn’t record any vocals with us, but he did lay down some guitar solos on a few tunes. Check out the solo on “Second Time Around” from Daffodil – Josh and I co wrote this solo in the studio and he played it. We are a pretty solid team, really.
Were there any other Northwest musicians who participated in the making of “Velvet Crush”?
No, this was just the four of us and Josh.
Did you grow up around music? Were your parents and/or other family members involved in music or was there some other musical outlet you clung to and were inspired from as a youth?
My mom and dad were singers, but not professionally. There was always lots of music in our house. In grade school I would lay in the living room and play Elton John’s “Yellow Brick Road” over and over. Then I was lucky enough to have the opportunity to take guitar in fifth grade – gee let’s see, do I want to pay guitar or recorder??? – Not a hard choice for me
Have you been involved in any other bands before Brian Copeland Band? How have your previous band experiences before BCB refined or enhanced your songwriting and musicianship, if at all?
I have played in several bands – most notably Dashboard Mary, The Furleys, and Pale Green Pants. I grew in different ways in all of them. Dashboard Mary and the Furleys were funky bands, so I really grew in terms of improv and high-energy live performances – we really got the crowd going. Pale Green Pants was a little jazzier and I grew musically a lot playing with musicians with jazz backgrounds.
I usually ask artists what they think is wrong with the music industry, but I’m going the other route this time and asking you what you think is right with the music industry.
I think there really are lots of people in the industry that are passionate about music and want to be a part of that, they just aren’t usually the ones making money doing it. And the amount of undiscovered talent out there always amazes me.
If you could book a gig with your dream musician/band, who would that/they be and why?
John Mayer – aside from being a great guitar player, he writes amazing songs!
What kind of guitar do you play? What kind of amps do you use?
Usually live I play a Larrivee acoustic direct. If I play Electric, it’s a telecaster through a Fender amp.
Is there an instrument you don’t play now that you want to learn how to master?
Piano – I write some on piano, but would like to learn to really play.
Who has and currently does inspire you the most in your life as a musician? Family? Other musicians? A bum off the street? Cherry flavored snow cones? What exactly?
One of the most inspirational things is writing a song and having people really dig it. Its like – hey, that’s my song and people are really digging this! You feel like you are really connecting with people when this happens. And sure, friends and family are always and inspiration for anything I do.
Okay Brian, here’s where things get dicey and icy as far as the questions are concerned. We’re going to try and get to know Brian Copeland, human being here. Enjoy the outrageous questions!
Are you a Northwest native or are you a transplant from some far off land?
NW all the way, baybee!
If you could be anything in life, excluding a musician, what would you want to be and why?
Pro tennis player
Are you more of a cat person or dog person?
I’m really more of a dog person, but I have two cats. I guess I don’t really have the time for a dog right now…
I’ve asked this question to a previous artist regarding your friend and Trevor Ras of Big Wheel Productions. Would you consider calling him “Razzle Dazzle” or “Razzy Pants” on a regular basis or is that just too damn weird?
Razzy Pants makes me a little nervous – how about Razzle Dazzle
What’s your favorite kind of food?
I love so many types of food as long as it is done well (but not necessarily well done).
More annoying: Ryan Seacrest or Tom Cruise?
God do I really have to choose? All right, probably Tom Cruise…
What do you enjoy to do for fun or hobbies outside of music?
Is there anything outside of music? Really I like to do lots of things – hiking, wine tasting, snowboarding, reading, going out to eat, and every musician’s favorite – sleeping in!”
Do you have a favorite beer? If so, which one quenches your thirst the best?
Full Sail’s Session Lager – it’s light, tastes good and the mornings seem easier somehow…
If someone offered you a chocolate covered pretzel, what would your reply be to him/her?
Why the hell did you waste that perfectly good chocolate on a pretzel?
Do you have a favorite movie?
“Garden State”
How about a favorite television show?
“Seinfeld”
Do you enjoy playing or watching any sports?
Watching college football and playing tennis
What is the worst concert you’ve ever been to as far as being disappointed with the show overall and why?
I can’t think of any one show in particular, but the biggest problem I seem to have with certain live shows is they mix the bands way too loud sometimes!
What’s your favorite thing about the city of Portland, Oregon and why?
I love the land use planning in Portland and the way the city has grown. Also lots of friendly people, pretty educated, and lots of good beer and wine!
Can you tell us about the worst job you’ve ever had and why it sucked so badly?
I worked at Texaco in college for the summer. I pumped gas, cleaned the bathroom, and my boss was the owners son who was a complete idiot…”
Who’s the cooler super hero: Superman, Batman, Spiderman or someone I haven’t thought of and why them?
“Spiderman – my favorite Halloween costume!”
Are you a morning person or a night owl?
“More of a night owl, but the problem is that I am a little of both…”
If you could describe yourself in one sentence, what would that sentence be?
One word actually: passionate
Thank you for joining us for an internet interview for the Northwest Noise website, Brian. Give the band our regards and we look forward to seeing you at a show real soon or one of the local watering holes for a beer! Thank you, once again!
Brian Copeland Band Websites:
www.briancopelandband.com
www.myspace.com/briancopelandband
To purchase the Brian Copeland Band albums Daffodil or Velvet Crush, go to:
www.cdbaby.com/cd/bcopeland
www.cdbaby.com/cd/bcopeland2
iTunes Music Store
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