So how do you do that? Is there any sort of purposeful reconciliation between the content of the songs and how you appear onstage, or is it just that this is what’s in the songs, and you like playing music, and it comes out like that? A lot of bands seem like they’re afraid to do that it’s not really cool to look like you’re having fun. But then when you play, you’re all just having an absolute blast. You’ve got “Lonesome Dreams,” and then “Ghost on the Shore,” or “I’ll Be Back,” or “Time to Run.” There’s this very transitory and … I don’t want to say sad, necessarily, but kind of a sad-seeming quality to the music. SP: One of the things that struck me about the band when I saw you at Pygmalion was that you have this haunted quality to the music. And he’s the guy who helps us write this album. I don’t really have a good reason for why he is, but he is. It’s just something that helps me get into the spirit of writing and get into the world.
Schneider: Well, George Ranger Johnson is a sadly unappreciated author of adventure fiction whose novels are based upon … yeah. Who is he? And more importantly, why is he? SP: In relation to the mysterious nature of the whole thing, you’ve created this character, George Ranger Johnson. But hopefully that kind of creates a mysterious nonspace that you can inhabit. I think the sound might be obscure and hazy because there are so many places I’m thinking of and referencing. Every place we’ve been and every place I’ve lived has influenced me in some way or imparted something on me. now, but being a Midwesterner originally?īen Schneider: I guess that’s part of it, a sense of obscure space is something I try to strive for in the music that we make. Smile Politely: I was listening to the album earlier today and it’s sort of like you combine these American folk elements with all these world music sounds, as well as this musical and narrative sense of dislocation that comes with that. So far, such expansion has yielded some fascinatingly deep sounds, as he synthesizes his diverse interests (except for maybe the Wu Tang Clan, who impressed Schneider early in his journey) into a cohesive musical whole.
Guided by a fictional author of adventure fiction named George Ranger Johnson, for whom Lord Huron even hosts a website, Schneider has been pursuing his muses in every direction. Born and raised in Michigan, Schneider moved west to pursue visual art, but sidetracked himself into Lord Huron’s current success. It is a refreshing interpretation and confirms their dynamism as live performers.I caught up with Schneider recently by phone, and what followed was a look into the mind of a consummate artist. The other surprise of the night is their rendition of The Kinks’ early classic, ‘Strangers’ complete with sliding guitars and a draping bassline, playing homage to their first visit to the capital. Throughout the song Schneider steps back from the microphone to sing some of the lines and there is honesty in his delivery which leaves us with a warm, fuzzy feeling. There is certainly no disappointment displayed from the crowd though. “Hey, let’s slow it down again,” Schneider says brandishing a harmonica for ‘The Ghost On The Shore’, replacing the electric for his acoustic guitar. The calypso number which has the majority of the audience in-arms dancing didn’t make it onto the album, which – despite clearly deviating from the narrative of escape and discovery – suggests that they may have played it safe. An afro-pop song with big percussion and lighter guitars draws an obvious comparison to Paul Simon and suggests that Schneider’s influences aren’t limited to the American wilderness. ‘The Problem With Your Daughter’, however, comes straight from the leftfield and is a big step away from the mood and tempo of other songs from the album.
#Ghost on the shore lord huron album full#
A well-mannered bunch, the band say their thank yous before launching into album opener, ‘Ends Of The Earth’, full of multi-layered harmonies and interwoven with the common themes of travel and romance. As support Champs close to the warm applause from the bearded folk in woolly hats that make up much of tonight’s crowd, Lord Huron make their way politely through to the stage with an array of percussion, apologising profusely to anyone in their way.
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