Interview
with
‘The
World on Higher Downs’
May 2007
A little background:
Madison / Stevens Point / Green Bay, Wisconsin
(That’s the United States) 4 piece band, ‘The World
On Higher Downs’ list their influences as
‘Steve Reich, Slowdive, Stars of the Lid,
Cocteau Twins, Labradford, Tortoise, Tarentel, Eluvium,
Matmos, Mirror, Larsen, Encre, Fridge, Loscil’
Which gives a slight impression of their dreamy,
Droney far-out atompsheres post rock (ish) based music,
Expect it doesn’t really….
Certainly what drew me to the band’s sound was
The fact that unlike a lot of these sort of bands
‘The World on Higher Downs’ music seemed
deeper if that is a better word and stretched out
to fill your head with sounds and melodies that
you perhaps wouldn’t expect to expect here.
People that know ‘Setting Sun’ do know certainly
I have a fondness for music like this, in particular
For music like this when it is done as well as this
So it made sense I contact them for a interview
And this interview followed through a little bit
Later.
Thanks to Troy for the interview…
Make sure you check out them on myspace.com
Which is
http://www.myspace.com/theworldonhigherdowns
Thanks again
Andy N
Setting Sun:
How are things and what are you also up at
the moment?
The World on Higher Downs:
“Things” couldn’t be more perfect. The lilac
bushes are in bloom, I just finished my last
final exam for the year, The World On
Higher Downs will be releasing its first album
soon (7/10/2007)…perfect.
This very moment I am smiling.
Setting Sun:
Next can you tell us a little bit about the history of
your music and as I like to say sometimes, who
fired the starting pistol?
The World on Higher Downs:
I stumbled upon the extraordinary
Nathaniel Ritter in the mid-summer of 2005. I
brought my violin to his bedroom and said
“hello, let’s see what happens.” I immediately
recognized his recording/engineering talents and
his amazing pair of ears.
We complimented each other well from the
very beginning and have been creating ever
since. That was the summer
We also started our Kinit. Her project.
Setting Sun:
What are your influences and what are you
listening To at the moment?
The World on Higher Downs:
Well, I don’t own an ipod, my little sister is
helping me use the computer to send you this
message, and im trying to cut back on cds.
Lately I’ve been admiring the hum of the
ceiling fan. I also dug up an old Steve Lacy
album that was buried beneath a pile of
Bruce Haack records.
Setting Sun:
I have being listening to your songs on
myspace.com a fair bit recently in
particular the beauitful epic ’alpine low’ –
can you tell us a little bit more about
this song.
The World on Higher Downs:
Thank you! Its sweet of you to say so.
Alpine Low began as a sprout of a tune
that we were quite fond of. We lovingly
sent it to Eric and he wove it into the
beautiful epic you speak of.
Setting Sun:
Out of interest, what is the inspiration behind
the name ‘the world on higher downs’
in relation to your music?
The World on Higher Downs:
That’s for you to decide.
Setting Sun:
Out of interest, What’s next for you? Do
you have any gigs lined up / perhaps even
some more recordings?
The World on Higher Downs:
Eric, Nate and I are working on the next WOHD
album.
We should have a sample up on our myspace
in the near future. Vince, Nate, and I will
be gigging out frequently this summer under
the Kinit Her title. We are also recording our
second KH album. As always, I will be giving violin
lessons and working on my short stories.
Setting Sun:
I know you are from Madison / Stevens Point,
Wisconsin United States. What’s the music scene
like where you are? Have you being to any good
gigs recently?
The World on Higher Downs:
People enjoy polkas where I am from, and
who can blame them.
There is lot of fresh new talent in Central Wisconsin
that is overlooked.
It’s a shame really. Just a few great new names
(from the area) to be aware of include: Sonmi,
Toybar and The Bilderberg Group.
Also…my roommate is working on a gem of an
album under the title - The Castledines.
Setting Sun:
Anyway, a few less serious questions
to finish off with, firstly what would you
be your dream job if you were not a
rock and roll star?
The World on Higher Downs:
I’m going to school to teach music.
Second to that… I’d be a hot shot astronaut.
Setting Sun:
What would you like to be doing when you are 60?
The World on Higher Downs:
I’m going to die in an on-shore boating accident
at the age of 36.
Setting Sun:
Lastly, What will you be doing when you are 60?
The World on Higher Downs:
Contributing to the energy circuit/assisting the
grass in growing green.