Houston Calling

10 Questions for adelaide

February 27th, 2005 · No Comments

I recently heard about a band from Portland called adelaide [website]. Their music is instrumental, mellow rock along the same lines of The Mercury Program, Tristeza, and Godspeed You Black Emperor! The band incorporates film loops as the backdrop for their shows (a la Manitoba, I mean, Caribou), and it is supposedly a sight to see. Their recent EP is amazing, and definitely bodes well for the intensity of their live performances.

As luck would have it, the guys will be playing this Friday night (3.4.05) at the Aurora Picture Show at 8 p.m. Please make sure to come out and support this great band. If you haven’t heard of Aurora Picture Show, it is a non-profit center for film, video and new media housed in a 1924 church building in Houston at 800 Aurora Street (off North Main St. in the Heights).

I recently asked Ethan Rose, who plays guitars, keyboards, and various electronics for adelaide a series of questions about the band’s work. He graciously (and very quickly) responded.

Enjoy.

Ten Questions for adelaide

HC: How did adelaide get started?

Ethan: The band formally formed a year and a half ago in Portland. Ryan and Ethan had met in college and worked on collaborations involving sound/video pieces. Adam Porterfield entered the picture after the duo had graduated from college. Eventually bass and live drums were added to the mix, and so adelaide formed into a live performance of film and music.

HC: What do consider to be your musical influences?

Ethan: We listen to a wide variety of music. All genres included. We are most excited by simpler expressions, where sound and texture prevail. Our film influences are in the same territory.

HC: What distinguishes adelaide from other instrumental rock bands like Godspeed You Black Emperor! or Mogwai?

Ethan: Well. Comparisons are quickly made in instrumental music. All we can say is that our music is our own. We work closely with our
projectionist to create a live show that is cohesive and blends the
film and music media in nice ways.

HC: I saw Manitoba live a couple of years ago and it was amazing — interesting animation and film behind the “wall” of sound. I basically just stood there mesmerized, and imagine an adelaide show to probably be much the same experience. How would you best describe your show to someone who hasn’t a clue what you’re about?

Ethan: There is something about sound and image that can really saturate a room. To fill the space with sound and color, creating a presence that is expressive and beautiful. That is the goal.

HC: Do you think that your environment (Portland, OR) influences adelaide’s work? In what ways?

Ethan: Portland is a wonderful place to be. There are so many people involved in creative projects, and its small size allows for a nice communal feeling.

HC: What’s your take on the state of the music industry? Are you for or against the MP3 “revolution”? How do you guys use the internet as a tool to market the band and its work?

Ethan: MP3s are great. Spread the love, it will only help the live show, and people still buy CDs at the show to support the band so…we’re all for it. The internet has been indespensible for us. Booking the tour, talking to bands/labels/venues. This just wouldn’t have been possible in the same way ten years ago. We couldn’t be doing this without it.

HC: If you could have any band cover one of your songs, what song would it be and what band?

Ethan: “Green Horizon” covered by Johnny Cash. He did great covers. Sadly that won’t be possible as he has passed on.

HC: What is the one description that you hate to hear about your work?

Ethan: You guys need a lead singer.

HC: What’s next for the group? More touring? Is a full-length album in the works? Maybe a DVD of a show?

Ethan: Our plan is to start working on our next album when we get back from tour. And then, we plan to tour some more. We hope to do a DVD in the future, as we want to do a release that represents our live show.

HC: What is in your CD player right now?

Ehtan: Today in the van we listened to: Devandra Banhart, Aphex Twin, Beach Boys, George Harrison, Manitoba, Johnny Cash, M83, Wilco, Six Organs of Admittance, Lenoard Cohen, John Fahey, etc.

Thanks to Ethan for taking the time to answer these questions for Houston Calling. Please be sure to make plans to come out the Aurora Picture Show this Friday night (3.4.05) at 8 p.m. to check out adelaide’s live show. It’s going to be awesome.

Visit adelaide’s website. You can buy their CD here.

While you’re making weekend plans, it is imperative you check out Southern Backtones live at Rudyard’s this Saturday night with DuneTX. Their shows are intense and if you haven’t yet heard the band’s latest self-titled release, you should pick it up. You can easily get it at Cactus Music. Also, Southern Backtones are playing SXSW this year (3.16.05, 2 p.m. @ Cheapo’s Records / 3.16.05 4 p.m. @ Opal Divine’s / 3.17.05 @ Agave / 3.18.05 5 p.m. @ Mother Egan’s). Hope to see you there.

Also, this Sunday night (3.6.05) Fat Cat’s is hosting one of the top indie bands in the country right now — The Comas. Their 2004 release, Conductor was one several best-of lists last year and is simply amazing. You can get it at Cactus as well (it comes with a DVD that you must see to believe). This is going to be a great show. Check Houston Calling later in the week soon for an interview with lead Coma Andy Herod.

One last thing: Those who came out to Rudyard’s last night for Tody Castillo’s CD release show were treated to an incredible night of rock. Both Scattered Pages and Tody Castillo (and band) put on excellent performances. The place was packed, which is always good to see for a local show. If you haven’t yet checked out his new album, get your copy now. You can read my review of it at Swizzle-Stick. Visit Tody Castillo’s website.

Now Playing in My iPod: Kalleid — Real Talk, Vol. 1

Tags: Music