Great Northern is not a punk rock band.

Last month I had the opportunity to sit down with the beautiful and sweet Ashley and always dapper Davey from Great Northern, right before they opened up for Ladytron in San Francisco. It was a cool little chat. we covered a few topics. Some lighthearted, and some a bit more in depth. We'll get to all that.

But first of all I would like to say... I feel really really honored to know these people. I meet a lot of bands that have no where near the recognition that Great Northern is getting these days. And not many of them have the humility that each member of Great Northern has. Which makes it hard to differentiate between bands that I consider friends, and bands that I've just worked along side a few times.

I'm going to go out on a limb and say that I consider Great Northern friends. Because every time I meet them, we genuinely have a good time. And they are always genuinely happy to see me. I had about a 30 minute conversation on tape with Davey and Ashley, and there was nothing pretentious about these two. I had some very casual and candid conversation before hand with Davey while we watched Ladytron set up their gear and do a sound test. These people aren't hiding anything. What you see is what you get. I had talked to Solon and Rachel earlier that evening as well. And you get the same exact vibe from them as you do from thier music. Warm, Friendly and Accommodating.

After the interview, I watched Great Northern put on the best show that I've seen them put on. I've gone from being impressed with their music and stage presence, to at this show... being absolutely blown away. These guys have grown so much. They now put out a wall of sound that will just absolutely blow your mind, if you ever get the chance to see them. Solon's guitar playing has become more precise and noisy (which is a good thing) It adds a lot of ambiance to the bands music. Rachel's voice has gotten even stronger, Ashley is completely in control of her bottom end, and Davey seems to be hitting those skins harder than ever. All of these things combined make for a very very enjoyable performance, from a band that I know is just on the brink of something big. In the interview, they talk about touring, writing the new record and their future careers in the music industry.

MMM: Hey Guys! Hows the tour coming along?

Davey: Its been fantastic. This is a new tour though. The last tour we did was with the Comas. For a month. we've been all around the states. They were super super sweet. We had a really really good time!



MMM: Awesome! How did you guys get hooked up with them?

Ashley: You know I think it was through Tim... Our manager was the one that recommended them to us.

Davey: we played with them at SXSW. It was just one of those... "Party Type Shows" ... They played right before us... and Thats a really good question. (Chuckles)

Ashley: Yea we should really know the answer to that. But we don't.... It was fate that brought us together.

Davey: It was really really good though.

MMM: It tends to work that way in this industry doesnt it.

Ashley: Yep.

MMM: Do you guys have any favorite cities that youve played in so far?

Davey: New York. LA. Montreal.

MMM: Montreal is a very cool town.

Davey: It was fantastic. Always San Francisco.

Ashley: SEATTLE!!!

Davey: Yea Seattle was great! Portland was really.... No... Portland was ok.

Ashley: *Laughs* Portland was OK! We Love you Portland!

MMM: Care to elaborate on that?

Ashley: Umm... *laughs* No.

MMM: Ok. Well What I'm always curious about is how bands go about writing their tracks. Do you guys start out with... Bass, Drums, Vocal Melody, Lyrics... Etc?

Davey: Well this record is gonna be different than the first record. The whole first record... Solon and Rachel had wrote that for 7 or 8 months, together on 4 tracks. His and Hers. Combining ideas. They pretty much had everything written. We came in with some drums and bass parts. But this ones gonna be different. We've been playing some ideas at sound checks. Mostly coming from Solon, guitar ideas. We all kinda hook onto it. We havent really had a lot of time to jam them out though, because the sound checks are really short. You cant really bash away. But there's a lot of ideas flying around. So this record is going to be all four. With our own ideas. Our own parts. So... It usually starts with a guitar.

Ashley: The guitar and the piano together. And then we add the vocals, and then everything sort of trickles down from there.

Davey: I'm gonna try and change that. I'm gonna try and write a bunch of drum parts. and see if we can work it the other way around. I'm really interested in that. Writing really cool drum parts, and having these guys write to that. Thats what I'm gonna do. I'm gonna start recording a bunch of drum parts.

MMM: So its going to be a real collaborative effort.

Both: Yes Definitely. Definitely.

MMM: Very cool. When you guys do actually sit down and get to writing a record... Are there other artists that influence you? I know some artists shut the outside world off when it comes to music. Do you guys, kinda take in everything that you might be into at the time?

Davey: I think thats the case.

Ashley: Yep.

Davey: Right now, theres a lot of traveling in the van. We've got a lot of different music going on in there. We all like what we like. We take little tidbits.

Ashley: I can hear different influences in everyones playing. and we all have different influences. We're all inspired by different things. And yet we all kinda like the same music. So we get along, and it's a really nice chemistry to have. And it shows in all our playing. And were inspired by like a totally eclectic range of music. Everything from Depeche Mode to Nine Inch Nails to The National.

Davey: We're all kinda hot on Interpol right now. Bright Eyes. So were all over the place. Maybe some of those things will come out on the record.

Ashley: I definitely get the sense that the next record is going to be a different vibe than this one.

MMM: More upbeat?

Davey: I think so. Yea.

Ashely: More upbeat? You think so? The music I keep hearing has more of a darker edge.

Davey: Well more upbeat... Not personally wise. But faster...

Ashley: Ok yea. Faster and darker music.




MMM: Well yea, when you say Depeche Mode and Nine Inch Nails...

Ashley: *laughs* There you go! Yea I think its gonna come out. Maybe in little subtle ways. But I think its definitely gonna be there.

MMM: It will be interesting to hear. Thats for sure. I know you guys are totally interested in those two bands, but I never quite put you guys into the same category. Thats really interesting to hear. But thats awesome. I love both those bands... Everybody at some point has something click inside thier head and they decide "I want to do this for the rest of my life. I want to make music and be a musician." When did that happen for you guys?

Davey: Oh S**t... um...

Ashley: When I discovered I wasn't good at anything else. *Laughs*

Davey: A long time ago for me. I was 25. I'm growing old, so I've been on this quest for quite a long time. I don't wanna do anything else. I know how to do a bunch of other stuff. But I dont wanna do some other S**tty job. We've all been talking about that lately. We've all been saying how were gonna try really really hard to do this.

MMM: Its certainly a struggle.

Davey: Big Time. Its a f**cking struggle. But I'm not complaining. There have been some really good times. A lot of free traveling. Some free trips. Tons of friends.

MMM: Ashley, How old were you when you knew?

Ashley: Um, I always loved the idea of growing up to be a rock star. As soon as I picked up the bass, I knew that this was the coolest thing to do. And I think then it was the moment that I decided that I was going to go to college for music. It was like... Ok I'm gonna spend tons of money on my tuition. This is it! So yea... at that point it was really set in stone. From there on out it was just really serious.

MMM: You guys talk about how its a really hard thing to pursue. Its a struggle. Do you guys have any advice for young artists that have decided that this is what they want to do with their life, and there's no question about it? Any words of wisdom?

Davey: I think that...You said it... when they make that decision... they have to stick to it. They cant falter, or be hesitant about it. In my opinion they have to F**king totally totally go for it. Its like starting a business. You cant go about it half assed. But you do have to make an income. You do have to pay the bills... but don't get serious jobs. just get piddly jobs, where you can come and go. Find cool bosses... this is just my advice, but if you get a really serious career type job, you're not going to have the time to pull it off.

MMM: Its one or the other.

Davey: Totally

MMM: Its kinda like... being a musician... thats your serious job. And the other stuff is...

Davey: Filler.

MMM: Filler. Exactly. And hopefully when it all pays off... It really...

Davey: You wont have to do those little jobs anymore...

MMM: Heres a big question... I had the opportunity to DJ Great Northerns album release show. That was a big honor for me, I had an absolute blast... How did it feel to just totally pack that place out! How did you guys feel when you saw those lines going out both doors, Down both sides of the street. The VIP's werent even able to get in!

Ashley: *Giggles* IT WAS SO SURREAL! We had good friends of ours, and we were freaked out that they weren't even gonna be able to get in! I was like... "What is happening here!! This is CRAZY!!"

Davey: It was great! Thats exactly how it should be. The anticipation. It put us in a great mood to see those lines and see how crowded it was. When we play LA now... The last time we played LA, it was the same way.... Where did we play?

Ashley: Hollywood and Highland.

Davey: Yea... I mean a while ago where there was big lines

Ashley: Spaceland!

Davey: Yea! Lines. Just totally awesome. Selling out entire places.

Ashely: Yea We've gotten lucky. We've made alot of nice friends in LA. Its definitely paid off.

Davey: This is the best band I've ever been in.

Ashley: Me Too Davey!! *Laughs*

Davey: This is the ONLY band you've ever been in! *Laughs*

MMM: Is this the first band you've ever been in?!

Ashley: This is my first serious rock band. I've been in lots of little freelance things. That was always my thing. Little one offs where I would show up. read the music. And walk away with cash in my pocket.

MMM: Kinda like a session player.

Davey: Now shes in a real band and she's broke! *Laughs*

Ashley: *Laughs* Now I'm not walking away with cash. But I'm having the time of my life.

MMM: Well you know... Passion is worth more than money... some people say anyway. Bill collectors don't feel the same way. but yea.

Both: *laughing*

MMM: The first time I saw Great Northern, was a couple years ago, when you guys opened up for Ladytron in Pomona. The bands format has been changed a bit. Ashley wasn't in the band then. Davey, you were on bass then, now you're on drums...

Davey: This is THE line up now. Now its solid. We went through some drummers... and some situations back in the day... it was kinda all over the place. But now, things are really solid.

MMM: Yea I was impressed with you guys way back then, and I've seen you probably 3 or 4 times since, I think with the new line up, and I'm really impressed with you guys now.

Davey: Cool

Ashley: YAY! You know whats really cool is.. .before I was in the band, I saw them play, and I was super impressed and said "wow this band is really good" And 2 weeks later I was in the band! *Laughs* But... as an outsider as well as an insider, It's been really nice to be a part of that progression.

Davey: Thats gotta be pretty cool. To be a fan of a band, and then be IN the band.

Ashley: I know I tell people that! I got the EP. I spent my 5 bucks. And you know that 5 bucks... is MAKING ME A ROCK STAR!!!!! *Laughs*

Davey: *laughs* Thats a pretty cool story

Both: Laughing

MMM: Its a very cool story.

Both: Still laughing.



MMM: I go to a lot of shows. I cant even begin to count how many shows I've been to. and most of the time, the opening band... is like... alright. filler. you could be there or you could not be there. it doesn't really matter. I'm waiting for the band that I came to see. Those were my expectations for that first show.

Davey: That was at the Glass House? The Pomona Glass House?

MMM: Yea The Pomona Glass House.

Davey: That was a good show

MMM: It was a great show! I was just kinda goofing around. walking around the venue, and then you guys started and I was like... who's that?! And you guys had my attention for the remainder of the set.

Davey: Thats how it should be. That's what we're trying to do to everybody!

MMM: Yea it was a great memory. I think I've probably turned 20-30 people onto your music since then.

Ashley: Aww thanks!

Davey: That 20 dollars I gave you really paid off.

MMM: I would have done it for free. *laughs* How did you guys get picked up by Eenie Meenie records?

Both: Silence.

Davey: There's your answer right there. Blank silence. *Laughs*

Ashley: we don't even know. we cant even lie about it. we don't know that answer *Laughs*

Davey: Alright uh... just go past that part. Edit that out.

Ashley: Yea! Take that part out! *Laughs*

Davey: Tim Husom. Tim has been our manager. And he got a lot of people to our shows. And calling up small labels. He started with big labels. And then went down to the smaller labels. Thats how I think it happened. Tim got a hold of Eeenie Meenie's owner and invited her to a show... and she loved it!

MMM: That leads me into my next question. Regarding being on a record label. In these days, when we have iTunes, CD Baby and Myspace. A lot of bands have opted to go it alone. without the help of a record label. They figure they can do it on thier own. What attracted you guys to the idea of shopping for and signing with a record label, and saying... "you know, were going to give up some responsibility and a little bit of the control for help with getting this out there.

Ashley: Well first of all, I've got to hand it to the bands that can do it on their own. Because there are more and more bands that are doing that and its amazing. They work their BUTTS off. And we're working out butts off too ya know? But its just...

Davey: It has a lot to do with finances. You can only go so far with so much dough, ya know? It takes a lot of money to make a really good record. And distribution... how are those bands going to distribute their music? So you know... that whole thing about selling out and staying "Indie" is... We want to be global. We want the whole thing.

Ashley: It feels like we're still doing everything on our own. And we have a team that makes it possible for us to do things on our own. Its really expensive to tour. With Gas and Hotels... Thats the stuff that keeps a lot of people from doing it! Its not any of the other stuff. Its just that alot cant afford to travel. And they (Record Labels) make it possible to do that. And there's a lot of other things too! Like Distribution.. its things that...

Davey: Any band can do that on a certain level. You know.. Myspace. But thats as far as its gonna go. Reiko (Eenie Meenies owner) hired subcontractors. A publicist, Management, A Booking Agent.. We have this total team, and she fronts the bill. And we cant afford that. So in my opinion thats that. I mean we talked downstairs about the whole Universal thing hopefully happening... [Earlier I had spoken with Davey about the possibility of Great Northern being bought out by Universal Recordings after a show they were set to play for them a few days later.] ... Taking it to the next level. Which... F**k. I don't wanna stay down here.

MMM: Nobody wants to play in their garage for the rest of thier life.

Davey: Naww man. I wanna be comfortable. I haven't been comfortable for years.

Ashley: The whole "Its not cool to sell out" thing... Thats the 90's.

Davey: That was a long time ago. *laughs*

Ashley: "YOU SELL OUT!!!" Now its cool to sell out. *laughs*

MMM: I think it might be a case of... the ones who look down on selling out, never had the opportunity to sell out.

Davey: it could be. It could be jealousy. The ones that never got the offers.

Ashley: When I hear a great band in a car commercial or an ipod commercial, I'm like "Thats So Cool!"

Davey: They just made their house payment.

MMM: Thats the thing about artists like... Feist!

Ashley: TOTALLY! I was JUST thinking of her.

Davey: Yea I just saw that the other day.

MMM: Yea Leslie Feist. That girl has been busting her butt for years. And I dont get the opportunity to watch much TV, but I turned on the TV the other day, and there she is on the iPod commercial.

Davey: I love that commercial.

Ashley: It's a great commercial.

Davey: Its a great song! Great song. Great commercial. Good for her.

MMM: I was at a Starbucks the other day, and I saw her CD for sale at a Starbucks...

Davey: We have NO problem with that.

Ashley: I got Becks new cd from Starbucks!

Davey: Yeah, we're not a punk rock band. we don't get pissed off at stuff like that. Bring it on!

MMM: There you go! well thats interesting. Great Northern is not a band that is afraid of selling out. Maybe someday you can upgrade your futon to a king size bed.

Ashley: People that go into a Starbucks are going to be a different audience than those that walk into like... Amoeba. So you're going to be able to reach out to a different audience, that you wouldn't normally be able be exposed to.

MMM: In the end it boils down to... Music is music. If it touches your soul, then what do you care about how it got there.

Davey: Thats right. Some of those bands out there right now... It gets confusing for me to see their posters on a pole.. Its like who are all these bands? Its hard to know whats good or not.

MMM: Are there any bands that we should be keeping our eyes on?

Davey: The Band Of Horses. I just love that song. I think they're gonna be ...Huge.

MMM: Anyone else?

Ashley: We've got a bunch of friends of ours that are just incredible.

Davey: Yea the locals!

Ashley: They have some incredible bands. Like She Wolf, Pity Party, Earlimart. There's just alot of really great music coming out of LA right now. Now is the time when its all going to just explode.

Davey: We're really stoked about the Silversun Pickups blowing up. They're kinda leading the charge. Opening up a little bit of that LA door. Hopefully we can slide in there behind them.

Ashley: They're incredible.

MMM: I think you guys are gonna jump ahead of them.

Davey: We'll be right behind em.

Ashley: We'll be holding hands. *Laughs*

Davey: We might take over. Its a little friendly competition. *Laughs*

Ashley: Our plan is to hold hands *Laughs*

MMM: There's nothing wrong with a little friendly competition.

Davey: Not at all!

Ashley: It puts a fire under your ass. They're our friends. Its exciting to watch whats happening to them, ya know?

Davey: I just want it to happen to us.

Ashley: Totally. And they do too! They're super encouraging. Its never awkward. They're so humble. And they're just as excited about what we're going through as they are about what they're going through.

MMM: Well I think you guys are gonna make it. I've seen your big shows, and I've seen your little shows. The energy is always the same with you guys. Regardless of how many people are there. Its obvious that its in your heart. And you guys always manage to drive through it. So I think you're gonna do really well.

Davey: I hope you're right. I think you're right. We're trying really hard. Thats all we're doing.