Your songs conjure so many feelings and emotions. Heartfelt losses and triumphant wins are told through your music. Is it easy telling these types of stories?
Hamilton: I can't speak for McKee, but for me coming up with "these types of stories" is pretty easy because they are my life. I have lived these moments. What can sometimes be hard is sharing them with the public, but that's all part of the deal.
People can tell, and connections are made from that. It takes a lot to put ones self out there, has it become any easier?
Hamilton: Yeah, actually it has. I just don't give a fuck any more; I guess that comes with age. I'm comfortable with my art and I just follow my muse. If people happen to like it that's an added bonus.
What are the plans after the album?
McKee: We're taking things one day at a time right now. Maybe there will be a tour, maybe there won't be. I can say that we all still consider Brothers Past a national act, meaning any place in the country is fair game for a BP show. But I think our days of touring for the sake of touring are over.
Hamilton: We haven't really gotten that far. We are keeping our plans relatively short term. The furthest we have thought is New Year's Eve, which we'll be announcing soon. The album probably won't be finished until December or so and then we'll go from there. Lots of things to figure out like who's putting it out and when, what kind of touring are we going to do behind it? But we'll get there. One foot in front of the other...
I remember a show with Ilya [Stemkovsky] that you guys played both A Wonderful Day and This Feelings Called Goodbye in their entireties, would you consider doing something of that sort again now with Rick? That shit was fun!
Hamilton: Eh, who knows? I'm sure at some point we'll do AWD again since it is a song cycle and makes sense to play straight through.
What artists are you guys feeling right now?
McKee: Fleet Foxes and Dr. Dog are the two bands I listen to the most these days.
Lowenberg: Been into a lot of jazz, as always, especially the local Philly soul/jazz/RnB folks. This city has a disgusting amount of awesome musicians, and I try to get out and hear them and even play with them as often as possible. This has been my biggest musical influence for years. Also, been getting into some of the more chaotic "breakcore" kind of music, like Venetian Snares. We've been experimenting a little with how to incorporate some of that into a live set, but it has yet to come to fruition. Also, more down tempo stuff like Dilla and Flying Lotus. Also, most dubstep is not exciting, but just like any kind of music, there's some great stuff if you look. Particularly Martyn, and the more recent Dubstep Allstars albums. That's been a huge influence on my playing and choice of sounds.
Hamilton: I'm still heavily listening to Dylan. Just got into his 80's albums...
What's in store for the side projects?
Lowenberg: Clay and I have our side project "Philabuster." It features Ian McGuire [MJ Project] and Korey Riker, who has recorded with Erykah Badu and many, many others. He plays EWI (electronic wind instrument). In addition to being one of the absolute best musicians around, he used to spin jungle, and appreciates those sensibilities. Also, Ian is another one of the very few skilled jazz musicians who understand electronic music. We played a show in Baltimore that I think is on Archive, which is badass.
Hamilton: American Babies just wrapped up recording on a new record a couple of weeks ago so we'll get back to touring a bit soon, working the new material out in a live setting. Once we find a label to call home we'll get a release date and supporting tour together. Then of course there is Younger Brother but I have a feeling that there won't be much happening there until 2010.
Who writes the sets now; if my memory serves me correct McKee used to write them mostly…
Hamilton: McKee still writes them here and there but the four of us are more interested in the process now so it's been pretty collaborative.
How is it working with Rich Steele?
McKee: A lot better than living with him.