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CW: How has the writing process changed since you sobered up? Has clarity at all affected your creative process; choice of words; how you tell a story?
DB: I don’t know. I think it’s made me a better and more merciless editor of myself. A lot of songs go through 100 drafts.
CW: Your illustrations remind me of David Shrigley, especially his Worried Noodles songbook. Would you ever consider putting together something similar? Or publishing a collection of your drawings in any form?
DB: The Portable February is just such a book. Drag City is putting it out in the spring.
CW: You chose early on to eschew the spotlight. Was that just a move to save your ego or did you recognize even then the evil ways of the record industry and the forthcoming indie hype machine that buzzes bands then quickly spits them out?
DB: Those reasons and many, many more. I don’t run headlong into a system without standing back and watching first. I need to ask the right questions before I’ll make a move.
CW: In multiple interviews, you take issue with today’s rock and roll climate and our culture’s celebration of “dumb” and bombastic personalities who arguably don’t deserve to be labeled as musicians or artists. Why do you think our culture celebrates mediocrity?
DB: Because half of all people are below average!
CW: You’ve expressed the need for more intelligent rock criticism.
DB: There has to be some strong voices out there.
CW: How often do critics take you to task?
DB: A critic temperamentally inclined to dislike the band can disqualify a record in many different ways. The critic has to ignore the content or risk portraying the album as interesting. The easiest way is to claim my singing is beyond the pale.
CW: What has it been like creating music with Cassie? Do you run ideas past her while writing material, or do you just give her the parts to learn when all is said and done? Have you encountered any negative reactions from fans in regards to her presence in the band?
DB: It’s great for my music. I haven’t gotten much negative feedback but perhaps it gets kept from me.
CW: “What Is Not But Could Have Been”—is that sort of a “no regrets, no looking back” sentiment? And is “one has lived live carelessly” self-referential? Or did you discover the truth struggling to be said just in the nick of time?
DB: More “it’s time to turn to work” than “no regrets” how about “not time for regrets now”? And I found it struggling in the nick of time.
CW: The new album has an overall upbeat tone. Hopeful, I suppose. Do you think future Jews albums will maintain that glass-half-full quality?
DB: You might as well ask if my future will have highs and lows. Signs point to “yes”.
CW: How do you think music bloggers and online comment boards have affected the way people create and consume music?
DB: More people are able to acquire and display expertise in the category of contemporary music.
CW: Have you ever been to Utah? Any preconceived notions about the Beehive State?
DB: I never have. I am greatly looking forward to being there after a lifetime of wondering about it!
CW: And finally, how do you think Black Nasty’s new LP Shark Tank will be received?
DB: With great fanfare I hope!
SILVER JEWS The Urban Lounge, 241 S. 500 East, Saturday Oct. 4, 10 p.m. 24Tix.com
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