Interviews

Interview w/ The Burgundy Curtain

By Stoney ⋅ June 16, 2008 ⋅  Print this post ⋅ Post a comment

Described by one local online music publication as “shoegazers”, Aiken Indie/Ambient/Electronica band The Burgundy Curtain possess a sound that is a gorgeous mix of melody, enchantment and ethereal sounds that at times would seem to contradict the mere present of only the band’s two primary members singer-songwriter/multi instrumentalist Nick Del Rossi and drummer/beat creator Andrew Clemons. Occasionally joined by bassist Phillip Munalfo on recordings, The Burgundy Curtain is a growing Augusta band with a recent CD release (The Days Move Quietly Around us) and the continued ominous task of performing the band’s music with only two onstage members. Lokal Loudness took a moment to talk to Clemons as the band was gearing up for their next gig on Saturday at Sector 7G.

LL – Now if I’m to understand this correctly, Nick actually started The Burgundy Curtain originally writing and recording all the tracks on his own?

AC – For the most part, yes. Nick’s friend Phil Munalfo contributed bass tracks and helped write the drum loops. But Nick wrote the lyrics, did the vocals and all the guitars and synths. All done in his apartment. No studio. The results are amazing.

LL – Are those original recordings the songs that make up “The Days Move Quietly Around Us” CD?

AC – Yes. Written in early 2007 in Daytona Beach, right after Nick finished at Flagler College in St. Augustine.

LL – When the decision was made to add more members to the band, was it more for live performances or recording purposes? MySpace does list a slight difference between the band and “live” band.

AC – After returning to his home town of Aiken, Nick wanted to start performing live, particularly with a live drummer. That’s where I came in to the picture. Nick contacted me through a mutual friend. Actually it was a complete accident. He googled local bands and came across Jim Walker’s name, who plays guitar in the cover band The Dispatch. I play the drums. So he calls the phone number from our Web site, expecting Jim to answer. I’m driving home from work and get a phone call on my cell. “Can I speak to Jim Walker?” I said “You have the wrong number … but I know a Jim Walker. I’m in a band with him.” Nick says “What do you play?” I respond “drums.” Nick says “Oh. Drums are cool. I’m looking for a drummer.” Nick is very spiritual and thinks our meeting was meant to be. I’m starting to believe him.

LL – Since Phillip already participates in recording why not utilize his talents live?

AC – Phil likes it in Florida. I believe he is a chef. We hope to incorporate a full band down the line, but we’re enjoying the simplicity of things for now. More members mean more egos, more personalities, etc. Nick and I get along great and make good music and that’s all that matters now. Plus the novelty of a two person band doesn’t hurt. As a matter of fact, Phil is participating in some of the new tracks (the next album will be called Water Seeks Its Own Level). We’re going to work via the internet, not unlike how The Postal Service did their album through the mail.

LL – I gotta say, being in a band that utilizes only two people to perform full musical compositions has gotta be tricky. How do you guys pull it off?

AC – It is very challenging. We practice a lot. Also we depend heavily on the laptop to work perfectly, and sometimes it hasn’t in the past. We had a particularly rough show at The Soul Bar in March (sorry Coco). The computer went haywire on us for almost every song. Through trial and error we have worked out the kinks. We’ve talked to a couple of people about joining in on bass, but so far haven’t found the right fit.

LL – In addition to shows at Soul Bar, Red Lion, 1102, the band has even performed in Athens and Columbia, with a show in Jacksonville, Florida coming up. What’s it been like to take Nick’s original vision and put it in front of such a wide area of audiences?

AC - It’s a dream come true for me. It’s given me the opportunity to perform on stages where I’ve seen a ton of great bands play. Also to travel and share this music with complete strangers, who have all been very receptive. It’s the best part time job in the world.

LL – Despite recently releasing “The Days Move Quietly Around Us”, the band has just posted two new songs on MySpace, “Silent Sounds” and “Multiply And Metaphor”. What was the reason for posting new tracks so soon?

AC – A couple of reasons, I think. First and foremost, the songs are good - so why not? We have a very active MySpace presence, so it pays to keep yourself out there. Secondly, we have had some contact with the music industry, and one piece of advice was for us to get away from the computer. “Silent Sounds” is an acoustic track that closes out the album. Even though it’s completely different than the other stuff we do, it’s a beautiful little song and we’re going to begin performing it live - NO COMPUTER! Also, to be completely honest, Nick wants to prove he’s no one trick pony. Songs like “Multiply and Metaphor” prove that the creative juices are still flowing better than ever. It is straight up ambient - love it or hate it. I swear he wrote that in one evening. It’s eight damn minutes long!

LL - What do you feel has changed since the tracks for “The Days Move Quietly Around Us” were created and the writing of the two new songs?

AC – We continue to be inspired by other indie artists and we’re experimenting with new sounds and instruments. For instance, I’m using a glockenspiel on one of our new songs. The thing looks like a toy, but is sounds beautiful and - surprisingly - fits perfectly among the synths and drum loops. Nick continues to add to his guitar pedal arsenal. His latest acquisition is a Dunlop Rotovibe, which mimics the sound of the 60s rotating speaker effect.

LL – Is Nick still the primary songwriter of the band?

AC – Absolutely. He’s a multi-instrumentalist and smart dude, so he makes the perfect songwriter. Best of all, he gives me complete freedom to create drum parts over the top of his arrangements. We work well together.

LL – On MySpace you list your influences simply as “Many”. Do you feel that is the reason behind the band’s unique sound? What artists do you guys listen to when you’re not creating your own tunes? Anyone local?

AC – Nick has very forward thinking musical taste. Of all my friends, he’s the only person that’s more obsessed with music than me. He has a gift for seeing the next cool underground group - a bit of a music snob, actually. He liked Vampire Weekend before they were cool. Me, I’m a bit more of a music populist, although I am very open-minded. My tastes lie mostly in the hard rock and jazz genres. Play me some Zeppelin or Miles Davis and I’m happy. Who knew I’d be playing in an electronica band? I’ve heard our closest local musical cohorts would probably be The Cubists. We plan to do a show together some time soon.

LL – Speaking of local, The Burgundy Curtain will be appearing at a free show this Saturday at Sector 7G with The Radar Cinema and Suns Collide. That seems like a great lineup with Suns Collide being on the heavier end of the spectrum and The Radar Cinema falling in right in the middle.

AC – Looking forward to it. This will be our first show at 7G. We did a show with The Radar Cinema in April. They are super nice. Great group. I enjoy their drummer. There’s a big prog rock influence in his setup and playing. You may hear me and Nick sound a little heavier after hearing Suns Collide play. The music from the album is on the light side, but it’s a different story live. There will be a lot of improvisation going on, and, believe me, Nick can shred.

LL –That sounds like it should be a great show! Good luck with that!

AC - Thanks Stoney. A free show on a Saturday night. BE THERE!

To find out more about The Burgundy Curtain and to hear and/or buy tracks, check out the band’s MySpace at www.myspace.com/burgundycurtain

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