Minneapolis melodic pop group Popcycle don’t want everyone to love them and care more about making good music than being successful. We could all learn a lot from this band.
Popcycle : “Happy as a Clam” (mp3)
Download their new album, Yesterday’s Blast, here for free. Be sure to hit up one of the CD Release gigs and toss them a few bones, though – okay?
What’s new since we talked two summers ago?
Well, what’s new with Popcycle is, we have a new cd, Yesterday’s Blast, which is finished and available on our web site—www.popcycle.net–absolutely FREE! Otherwise, we’ve just been working real hard to be a tight, enthusiastic, entertaining and happy band.
What’s the story with Yesterday’s Blast?
Yesterday’s Blast is really a collection of songs, mostly in the pop or rock genres, with a little country, soft rock and folk thrown in. The term “yesterday’s blastâ€, in the context of one of the songs is really how “today’s malaise used to be yesterday’s blastâ€. How does something that used to be a blast turn into a drag. What’s changed, why. It’s about growth, too. And also, like a blast of music, or being influenced by the past. Whoo, that’s a lot of information.
Did you record at Crazy Beast again, or try somewhere else? Who helped out?
We recorded again with Ben Durrant at Crazy Beast and it was a great experience. Ben was more familiar with our sound this time around. Plus, I garage banded the songs before we went in to the studio, so Ben had demos before we went in and he gave some thought to how we could make it better. And at the board, he’s such a great help, lots of suggestions and ideas. Also, he was another set of fresh ears to help us realize how things came across and got us to think of things a variety of different ways. Really it was just the four of us, me, Mike Kittel (drums), Ron Albert (guitars) and Eric Buckman (bass) playing on it. We did invite one guest to play pedal steel on the song “My Hero,” John Schjolberg. He came in and really did a beautiful job with a song that’s very important to me. Musicians are so great!
How have you grown as a band since your last album?
We’ve actually lost a member, Jeff on guitar, but we’ve really become a close group over the last couple years. We’re playing well together, and Mike and Ron sing so well and Eric is such a musically minded person. We really just try to serve the songs in an interesting way, and I think we’re always getting better and better at it.
What’s the major lesson you’ve learned?
Try not to be bothered too much by what other people think if they’re not into your music and let your heart and your experience guide you. Also, be open with the people you’re playing with. Be sincere and enjoy it.
Yet again you guys are giving away your album for free. When are you going to learn you have to charge $15 for DRM’d records and find other ways to alienate your fanbase to be successful?
That’s a good point, but after all these years I care less about being successful than being good. Usually success for me is a good gig, or a good song written/recorded/played. Music’s never been a money making thing for us, but we’ve been fortunate to pay for recording with gig money, so at least we come out about even.
What should I have for dinner?
A steak and a beer. Maybe a dinner roll and some sweet corn on the cob.
What else is new?
I’ve been trying to grow a beard for about a year and a half, and I just thought the Dark Knight was so-so.
What’s the scoop on your upcoming CD Release gigs?
We’re having two CD release shows. One on Sat., July 26 @ the Uptown with Ol’ Yeller (their last show!!!) and Kruddler and the Hearers.
And we’re playing the Turf on Thursday, July 31 w/ Dan Israel & the Cultivators and Luke’s Angels. Come on down!
