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As far as backgrounds were concerned, I was so out of the norm. I went from the van and bouncers and bong hits to a pretty intense course of study.
-Reid Genauer on business school |
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So you felt like you had to try out the music first before you wanted to put it on a disc?
Reid Genauer by Greg Kessler |
Absolutely. We're always anxious when we have a new song, just itching to play it. It's like buying a wedding a ring and keeping it in your pocket for a year.
Have you done this?
I have. I'm married but I did hide [the ring] in a ski boot for a while. I had intended to keep it for like a month and a week into it I broke down. I was going up into my closet and checking my ski boot and making sure it was still there.
How do the AOD crowds compare to or differ from the experience you had with Strangefolk?
It's been an interesting process. At first it was like people were just kinda coming to gawk. It was more just like coming to see the circus. I think some people were disappointed because they were coming to see Strangefolk and they weren't getting it. Also, we were sort of finding our thing, and, in some ways, trying to be Strangefolk. Over time we gained confidence in ourselves, created a sound that was our own and wrote a bunch of material. We transitioned into a place where the fans were coming to see us and we were being us but it took a while. I think our fans are more patient with us than Strangefolk fans were. Strangefolk fans wanted to come and get beat in the head every single song. I think - and you'd have to take a poll - but my sense is that we're a little more daring in playing slower songs and making the audience work a little bit.
AOD at Bonnaroo by Jaclyn Ranere |
I like being able to play quietly. It's a different experience than bashing people and bashing through a song. Then, the rockers are that much more rocking because you have some basis of comparison. One of my criticisms with some bands is they come out and bash the whole night through. They may be the best rock band in the world but you lose perspective because you've just been hit over the head five songs in a row. You don't even know what's going on anymore. I just think it's nice that there are peaks and valleys. Our fans give us a chance to do that and I'm thankful for it.
Do you see a lot of the same faces in the crowd that you saw back in the '90s?
Yeah. There are definitely some people who have moved on, and would've moved on anyhow because their lives have changed and they have jobs and babies and such. There are some who the glitter was gone for them. Those have been replaced with new faces.
Do you find yourself surprising fans that don't realize the connection between Strangefolk and AOD?
Assembly of Dust |
Absolutely. People hear a song on the radio [and think], "I recognize that voice. It sounds like Strangefolk." Or people who dismissed it at first and were maybe hurt by the fact that I left, now the wound is healed a little and they can kind of approach it a little more neutrally. Every night people say, "I haven't seen you in four or five years and it's good to be back." I like that, especially for the diehard Strangefolk fans. There'll always be some that it just won't work for, but when we convert an old diehard, it means a lot to me because they're people who invested in me emotionally. On some level I felt like I let them down. To have them come back and embrace it means a lot to me.
With all the success that you've had with emusic and AOD, do you have any regrets about leaving Strangefolk?
I have no regrets for being in Strangefolk. It was some of the greatest years of my life and defined who I am. You have a period of time where you define yourself as an adult and that was my coming of age. No regrets, nothing but very, very positive memories, BUT it was the right choice for me and it worked out. The only regret I have with leaving Strangefolk was that people were hurt and disappointed. I set out to do the opposite, to inspire people and provide an element of joy. The fact that I caused, at the risk of sounding melodramatic, some element of pain I regret that.
What are your plans for 2007?
Just bringing it, bringing the heat. We're having a blast. We're having a great tour, the album's getting a great reception, and I'm just genuinely excited to rock. It's good to be back.
JamBase | Worldwide
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