Following their last record, Purple Ivy Shadows seemed to have it all -- a
dedicated lineup, a well-defined sound, a certain, respected indie aesthetic.
That album, White Electric, was generously received by audiences and
press alike. Even college radio played it. Of course, with minimal
distribution, that didn't translate into cash at all, but at least they were
encouraged by their acceptance.
Yet instead of building on that acceptance, which to their mind was nice but
insubstantial, the band took a step back to reevaluate their sound. While
White Electric was the sound of a restless band trying hard to write pop
and rock songs, they felt they may have squelched a part of the band that was
trying desperately to climb out: the noisy side. On the new Field:
Guide, Purple Ivy Shadows has decided to air it all out.
"It's definitely a departure," says longtime member Chris Daltry who, along
with Erik Carlson form the band's nucleus, along with Will Rice and Frank
Mullin. "On the last one we didn't consciously make a rock record, but it's as
close as we would ever get to one. It was tighter and more direct. This new one
is half instrumental, half vocals, and much less structured pop."
Why the shift? After such a satisfying moment with White Electric, why
not roll with it? "We were a lot more intent on experimenting," says Daltry.
"We wanted this new one to sound much more casual and it wasn't so important
this time to make a big rock record."
One of the reasons why the new record feels and sounds more casual is because
guitarist Carlson worked on much of the band's new material at home on his new
ADAT machine. The freedom of creating unconstrained allowed each band member to
enter with new ideas on an informal basis. "Writing together has always been a
challenge," says Daltry. "This time, we discovered that we worked well
recording independently of each other. There was less talking about the songs
and more playing around with them. In a rehearsal space, you react more
immediately to something. Emotions can overrun. But when you're working
informally, you tend to make fewer compromises and everyone feels a little
freer to contribute ideas."
Field: Guide is a bountiful platter of sonic ideas, ranging from roots
and pop to ambient soundscapes and off-kilter rock. But the coolest thing about
the recording is its rubbery flexibility and how these songs live could morph
into breathing, utterly compelling entities. In fact, Purple Ivy Shadows will
be celebrating the release of the record live tonight (the 11th), giving us all
a chance to see what will happen to these songs given the right opportunity.
"The spontaneity allows for a lot of room to maneuver in these songs," says
Daltry. "A lot of the noisier things didn't get used but will definitely
surface during the course of a live show."
The live show designed to celebrate Field: Guide will take place at an
unlikely venue, which makes it a perfect fit for the unlikely PIS brotherhood.
The Castle Cinema and Café on Chalkstone Avenue in Providence will host
this evening's event, which also includes New Radiant Storm King. But why such
an unusual place?
"Frankly, we were tired of the same old rooms in town and we really wanted to
look outside the scene a little," Daltry admits. "I was in the cinema looking
around and noticed that they renovated and had all kinds of equipment for a
proper show. We just had to bring the sound." The owners of the venue were
eager right from the start. "The theater is trying to do anything they can to
get people to check out the Castle," says Daltry. "For us, they give us the
room to do what we want, and we just bring in a sound system. If people do
come, it'll be a different way of doing a rock show."
PIS' last Providence gig was last winter, so there should be some anticipation
for an area performance. "We try not to overstay our welcome around here," says
Daltry, who also owns a local antique shop. "And we have a pretty different
view of our career than most bands, I think."
While many bands try to live up to the expectations of labels and those around
them, Purple Ivy Shadows try hardest to please themselves. "We all like the way
we are in terms of working together," says Chris. "We don't have definite plans
from here -- probably take it easy for the rest of the summer and do [the] CMJ
[festival] in the fall with a little tour surrounding it."
Daltry and company also feel that they've turned a personal corner in their
quest for musical satisfaction. "Paul Westerberg summed up how we feel best.
He's gone through far better and far worse extremes. He's gone through the
ringer with his career. His new mentality is that he doesn't care if he sells,
doesn't care if it's successful in the grand scheme. He has returned to a
person who's content merely to write for himself." When Purple Ivy Shadows
write, what comes out is issued straight from the hearts and minds of the band.
"We're not trying to blow the audience away, we're trying first to blow
ourselves away.
"After a while when you start dealing with labels and other people's
expectations, you raise your own and if it doesn't pan out, what do you do?"
Good question. Still, PIS still finds itself in an envious position, largely
because of the positive vibrations they've left across they city and wherever
they go. "We still have other people putting our records out," says Daltry,
obviously pleased. "We're really lucky because we've never had to self-release
anything. We'll hope to do that for as long as we feel like we can come up with
decent material. If we can, making a record is our way of hanging on to that
material. If not, maybe it's time for the band to reconsider."
Reality strikes Purple Ivy Shadows in an extraordinary way. "It's difficult
for us to be a full-time band, to be out there touring. The reaction isn't so
great in most of the places we go, mostly because no one knows us or has heard
our records. So we play it by ear. We leave it open-ended to see if there's a
reason to keep it going. For us, the best reason is new material."
That new material, Field: Guide, is, of course, reason enough to keep
going.
Purple Ivy Shadows headline with New Radiant Storm King opening. Doors open
at 8 p.m. with music starting around 9. If you miss this date, the band will
also be playing Boston's Middle East and a gig in Northampton within the week.
Check your listings for further info.
WANDERING EYE. A belated congratulations to all the folks who pulled off
Summerfest last weekend. Though I didn't get to stay for long, the
camaraderie seemed excellent and what a rush it was to have almost everyone who
was anyone on the local scene in one place. Could this become an annual
event?
Carltonfisk will be playing tonight (the 11th) at the Blackstone in
Cumberland at 8:30. Great stage, great sound great parking and only a stone's
throw from Providence.
A reminder that the Iditarod is still hosting their own QUIET MUSIC
SERIES at the AS220 in Providence, RI (115 Empire Street). The series happens
once a month in their cozy second floor performance space. The third
installment takes place next Thursday (7/18), with special guest Sharron
Kraus all the way from Oxford.
Issue Date: July 12 - 18, 2002
