The Hold Steady talks to triplew.me

In the latest feature on international artists, we catch up for a Q & A with Craig Finn from The Hold Steady about their latest album Heaven is Whenever.

Prolific in their offerings, with 5 studio albums and 4 EP's released since their signing in 2004, The Hold Steady's music is really about storytelling, both musically and lyrically. Craig Finn's vocal delivery is what defines their sound, the unique, almost sputtering, rapid fire lyrics with sing-along choruses mean, invariably, the foot-tapping begins 8 bars in to a song. It's a unique formula and one that defines an almost ageless rock n roll story. What is also remarkable about these guys is that they formed when the band was quite old, in ‘new’ discovery terms where charts are dominated by teenagers (Finn was 32).

From the rough-edges of Boys and Girls in America, the album that put them on the radar for most music fans, through to 2006's Stay Positive, the previous studio album that propelled them to be both critics' darlings AND popular, selling 88,000 copies and peaking at #30 on the US charts and #15 on the UK charts.

Stay Positive, taking cues from its title, was one of the most lyrically positive and diverse albums of 2006/07.  It was one of those rare 'play it loud-but-mellow' type albums that was knee-deep in hooks, and, at the time one of the most unique-sounding albums that we had heard in a long time. It also made an indelible mark on our vision to implement this triplew.me beast.

"You have to figure out what you still have to say after five albums" - Craig Finn

Heaven is Whenever is the latest offering from The Hold Steady and is the studio follow up to that brilliant album. It is the most consistent and considered offering from the band to date, and one that sounds unmistakably like The Hold Steady, but a touch more grown up in its storytelling and definitely more precise in its songwriting.  It somehow still manages to yearn for that cheeky, youthful ‘looking-back’ charm that made them standout in the music landscape.

triplew.me caught up with Craig Finn (vocals) in the US from the band about the new album, what it's like to be constantly away from home, and how the best Middle Eastern talent can get noticed.

Given the critical and wider success’ of Stay Positive, what was the pressure like on you personally and collectively making Heaven is Whenever?

I think we look at the success of The Hold Steady as a motivator to try to make something even better each time out. So we see it as exciting, rather than "pressure". We are blessed to have a great audience listening, so we want to impress them!

With so much touring and promotion of Stay Positive, how did you find time to write the album?

We started to write songs on the road, and then did more work on them when we got home. It's necessary for us to do some writing on the road since we tour so much, but things really come together when we get home to Brooklyn.

This is studio album #5 since 2004 – how hard is it to keep things fresh when writing, and eventually recording, after such a prolific period?

It's a challenge but that's part of being an artist. You have to figure out what you still have to say after five albums. I think its fun to try new approaches to writing songs and lyrics, and see how different approaches yield different results.

From working with John Agnello on Stay Positive and Boys and Girls in America back to Dean Baltulonis, the producer of your first two LP’s – what was that like?

We really loved working with Agnello but we thought it was time to try something different after two records with him. Dean is a good friend and allowed us to have a really relaxed atmosphere while making the record. I really liked working with him especially on vocals, I thought he pushed me especially hard.

Anyone you’d like, or want, to work with next?

Not sure. We need to figure that out soonish as there are always new songs coming up....

Your sound on Heaven Is Whenever seems, and sounds, deliberately more controlled and layered than anything before it, but still captures your live, raw sound. How do you go about capturing your sound in the studio?

I think that "Heaven" is a more deliberate record. I think there was much more layering and way more harmonies than we have ever done before. I think after five records we are getting more comfortable in the studio and more willing to try new things. So the songs are presented in a new light on this record, but they fit right in with the rest of the songs in our live set.

The Hold Steady is renowned for your constant touring, and this summer in Europe and the US is no exception, and seeing we are removed from things here, tell us what it’s like? How do you stay sane on the road?

I think we've gotten pretty good at taking care of ourselves on the road. I think taking care of yourself physically and mentally is the most important thing on the road. Its a tough lifestyle but its really exciting to be able to play for an appreciative audience each night. It makes it all worth it.

We have a section of triplew.me called Makshoof Music, a portal for aspiring music talent in the Middle East to get noticed, what advice can you give to up-and-coming artists to get noticed?

I think its most important to pay attention to your songs. With all the information around today, its too easy for artists to get thinking too much about promotion and the music business. I really think that great songs will take care of themselves.

Tell us how hard was it for The Hold Steady to get noticed and signed?

It wasn't that hard, in that we didn't really set out to get signed. We just started to play shows and people started showing up. If you can do that, all the business stuff comes behind it. There aren't many bands that can draw a big crowd that don't get attention from some part of the music industry.

You have big following over here in the Middle East. Have you ever been to the Middle East? If not, we’d love to see you out here...

We have not been, but would love to go. Travelling to new places is one of the most exciting parts of this for me.

What, or who, is The Hold Steady listening to at the moment?

I really love the Deer Tick album "The Black Dirt Sessions". Also, the new record by Wintersleep.

Would you rather permanent day or constant night?

Permanent Day. I really would get too down if it was night time always.

So there you have it, The Hold Steady's 'Heaven is Whenever' (read our review here) is available at Virgin Megastores in the Middle East (ask for it if they don't have it) through Beggars/Vagrant/EMI Arabia.

THE HOLD STEADY - STAY POSITIVE (2006) - SEE OUR REVIEW