Home > Austin Music Source > Archives > 2010 > March > 12 > Entry
SXSW2010: 10 questions for Washed Out
Like Neon Indian, Ernest Greene, aka Washed Out, combines synthesizers, ’80s dance samples, a lo-fi sensibility and his own original songs to create a sound that is both old and new. Washed Out will perform several times during the festival, including the Mexican Summer/Gorilla vs Bear showcase at Klub Krucial and the Pitchfork day party, both on Friday, March 19. Below, Greene answers questions about the writing process, performing live and releasing cassettes.
How would you describe your music to people who haven’t heard it?
Low fidelity ’80s pop meets ’90s shoegaze (?)
In general, your sound has a lot in common with other groups gaining in popularity right now, including Toro y Moi and Neon Indian. What is it about this style that is so appealing to music fans right now?
I think people enjoy the simplicity of the songs and probably the sincerity. The goal with the melodies is to touch on an emotion and sort of tap in to the feelings that accompany it.
Can you share a little on how you go about writing your songs?
I generally start with a simple bass line/drum beat and build the song from there. For me, it is all about coming up with layers that work best for the song. In most cases, that means keeping things really simple. The melodies sort of surface as this process moves along—after hearing the same loop over and over again.
There is a very visual element to your web site, and you released a book of photos. What role does that play in your music?
The connection has become more and more evident recently. I’ve only been taking photos for about a year, and I’ve realized that I’m basically going for the same feeling with both. It might be a little more subtle with the music, but the portraits are more about capturing the feeling of a situation than really documenting what is actually happening.
You were previously going by your real name; why did you switch to Washed Out?
I think the moniker works better…a little more mysterious…I think for the first couple of months or so after my music started taking off, people weren’t sure if Washed Out was a band or what…
Some people actually thought that I was a middle-aged dad, which is pretty funny.
Is there a particular genre of music that you were most influenced by growing up?
Probably hip-hop stuff like DJ Shadow and Four Tet. I started to listening to them in late high school/early college and it definitely changed my perspective of songwriting. I feel like that stuff definitely informs everything I’m doing today.
You put out a cassette-only release last year. What made you decide to do that?
A few different reasons. One is that the artwork and “look” of a cassette works so great. The other is that it’s pretty great to be able to control every step of the production—like designing the art, printing the labels, dubbing the cassettes—it makes for a much more personal experience. The only way to get one is through me or my website, so its a pretty simple process, and I think people really enjoy that.
You said in an interview last year that you didn’t have plans to tour. Why did you change your mind?
I never really played in bands growing up…so I was a little scared of the idea of performing/dealing with huge sound systems. It’s a pretty big jump from making lo-fi music on your computer to playing to fairly large crowds through a state of the art sound system…
I also didn’t want the performance to take away from the records at all - it’s hard to build and maintain energy as a solo performer - I’m still figuring out how to do it :0
Have you been to SXSW before? What do you hope to accomplish while here?
I have, but not as a performer. I’m excited…but it’s going to be a busy week…
Hopefully, I’ll be able to find a nice balance between working and having fun/seeing other bands…
We’ll see…
What new music have you been listening to lately?
That Pantha Du Prince/Panda Bear song has been a big jam in our van…
This guy Moss of Aura opened up for us last night in Baltimore - and I really dug his stuff…really relaxed instrumentals…
Follow Austin Music Source on Facebook and Twitter.
Permalink | | Categories: SXSW 2010
