SA 11. Your family has been your biggest supporter and has been at every show I've seen you play. Did you guys go to any major sporting events when you were a kid, and do you have a highlight memory from that time as far as seeing something cool happen with your dad?
BB Coolest thing was my dad being the coach of a lot of teams I was on and mom being at every game. Living in Columbia, SC (screen door to Hell), we didn't go to any "cool" sporting events unless they were our own. Got to see some cool concerts though. First was Temptations w/ Four Tops, O'Jays, and Levert!
SA 12. Do you have time to go to baseball or football games now that BoH is blowing up? And if so, are you ready to be asked for autographs while you're taking in a game?
BB No and No.
SA 13. If BoH was asked to sing the National Anthem before a big game, which one would you pick?
BB That's a tough song! I'd do it at a UFC fight maybe and hope it's not being filmed.
SA 14. I know you have a special place in your heart for baseball and I play in a fantasy league with Stephen Malkmus and Bob Nastanovich from Pavement. If Malkmus gave you the invite, would you try to play with us next year? We'd love to have you.
BB Pavement is my favorite band ever! I'll do anything for them.
SA 15. Speaking of Pavement, do you plan on catching one of the reunion shows this year? I think you told me one time you stole/borrowed a station wagon to go see them play when you were a kid. Any other details about that night you can recall?
BB So lucky to catch them in Toronto this summer. One of my favorites out of so many Pavement shows. I'm totally that guy singing every lyric.
SA 16. You're playing Atlanta in October at the Fox Theater. Does that mean no New Year's shows this time around?
BB Time for a break I think.
SA 17. Do you ever get sick of your beard and think about chopping it? One of my favorite Youtube comments was "I had no idea that Abraham Lincoln was in Band of Horses."
BB I hate it.
SA 18. Ryan is probably the most gifted keyboardist I've ever seen play live and his instant classic, Older, made the new record. He's also a very funny guy. Am I right in my thinking?
BB Ryan is a living legend. He's easily the funniest person I've ever met. And possibly the greatest musical talent to boot!
SA 19. Last one...if you could have been a professional athlete, what sport/position would you have picked to play?
BB Pro Surfer would be fantastic! Travel to some of the most beautiful places on earth and connect solo with nature? I'd still choose music over anything though. If it is a "job" it's the best job ever!
So there you have it. Thanks again to Ben for taking the time to answer the questions. As I understand it, they're going to be
touring a ton this year, so make sure to go check them out when they're in your neighborhood!
It's the basketball offseason, and while I was planning on it being a slow 'offseason,' it has been anything but. News continues to roll in, 24/7, day and night, but this seemed like a good time to bring back the
Backstage Pass series. Basically, I occasionally talk to rock stars about sports and music. Past interviews have included
Stephen Malkmus of Pavement and the Jicks,
Bo Koster of My Morning Jacket,
Doug Martsch from Built To Spill,
Brian Rosenworcel from Guster, and
Quasi. My hope is to introduce some hoops fans to musicians, music folks to fantasy hoops, and to ask some questions other than what you see in most music magazines.
Band of Horses recently released their third record,
Infinite Arms, which debuted at No. 7 on the Billboard charts. Infinite Arms is a "weird" record according to Ben Bridwell, the lead singer and only founding member left in Band of Horses. There's not a bad song on the entire record, which is a collection of great driving songs, as well as an eclectic mix of rock, alt country, indie and the beach boys. They opened a string of shows for Pearl Jam, and Bridwell has been seen on stage singing
Hunger Strike with Eddie Vedder, and jamming with Pavement in Toronto.
One of my favorite moments in this job came when my buddy Sonia Grover from the First Avenue in Minneapolis called me in 2006 and told me Band of Horses was reading my column in her office. It kicked off a friendship with the band that resulted in Ben taking the time to answer some questions for this interview. Bridwell is not a fantasy sports guy, mainly because he doesn't have time to screw with it, but he is a sports fan. Check out the
new record, and enjoy 19 Questions with Ben Bridwell.
19 Questions with Ben Bridwell of Band of Horses Steve Alexander: 1. What are your favorite sports and teams to root for?
Ben Bridwell: I love college sports, but football especially. My loyalty is pledged to the University of Georgia, even in the darkest of days. Next favorite is Major League Baseball (Mariners, Twins, then Braves). If I have time I'll watch pretty much anything sports related: soccer, golf, fights, etc... Still trying to figure out Cricket and Rugby, however.
SA 2. You spent some time writing Infinite Arms in Minneapolis and have even covered a
Replacements song (Can't Hardly Wait) recently. Are they your favorite Minneapolis band? A tough question for me, as I always loved Husker Du, Lifter Puller/Hold Steady and of course, Prince, but I think the Mats are #1 for me there.
BB No doubt in my mind. I can still listen to Replacements' songs like I'm hearing them for the first time.
SA 3. Have you made it to a Twins game in the new, outdoor stadium? If not, do you plan to?
BB Haven't yet. One day I'm sure there will be a summer when I can travel for pleasure. That will be a sad, glorious summer.
SA 4. What sports did you play growing up in South Carolina? Do you have any standout career highlights?
BB Baseball, Football, Basketball, Soccer, and some Tennis. Got popped in the eye with a baseball in warm ups before a game. Had to get X-rays at the ER but returned to game in time to get two hits.
SA 5. You played Madison Square Garden with Pearl Jam recently. Are you more freaked out by the sports history of the building, or the incredible shows that have gone down there? Where does playing in front of a packed Garden rank on your list of accomplishments?
BB Since this is now past-tense: I can say that was one of the most euphoric experiences of my life so far. Having performed there once before with Tyler and Roger McGuinn; that room is all music to me.
SA 6. I assume opening for Pearl Jam is an incredible experience. I also know Jeff Ament and Eddie Vedder are big NBA guys. Have you watched or played any sports with Pearl Jam while on tour? Do you have a favorite moment from that tour that might have occurred off stage?
BB Just hanging with Ed was awesome. All the guys were so nice, but Ed was the one who'd stop by for a beer after a show. The way he even treated our guests backstage... There's no "rockstar" attitude there.
SA 7. One thing I constantly read in interviews, and have experienced myself, is that when you're playing a show, you seem to genuinely love being on stage regardless of where you're playing. How do you keep the energy and relay the emotion that you are truly enjoying that night's show and audience as much as any you've ever played before?
BB It's been slow going but I'm learning to love the performing aspect. I'm less afraid to give every bit of myself to the crowd now. Hopefully one day I can maybe get so comfy to even speak in between songs.
SA 8. You played Maui with Willie Nelson last year, which I imagine was some kind of dream come true. Any quick thoughts on that experience, or maybe a cool "Willie and I drank a PBR and talked about Waylon after the show" story?
BB So hard to put into words how awesome that was. I'll just say it was all you could imagine. And More!
SA 9. What's your favorite moment on Infinite Arms?
BB Showcasing Tyler's and Ryan's singing, and everyone's songwriting as one unit.
SA 10. I heard something about a BoH Horseshoe Tournament. Who won, how badass is the trophy, and is this going to become an annual event?
BB My uncle Mike and I won last year, but his son Doug and our buddy JR took the title decisively this past April. Trophies don't mean squat though, unless you're on them.
SA 11. Your family has been your biggest supporter and has been at every show I've seen you play. Did you guys go to any major sporting events when you were a kid, and do you have a highlight memory from that time as far as seeing something cool happen with your dad?
BB Coolest thing was my dad being the coach of a lot of teams I was on and mom being at every game. Living in Columbia, SC (screen door to Hell), we didn't go to any "cool" sporting events unless they were our own. Got to see some cool concerts though. First was Temptations w/ Four Tops, O'Jays, and Levert!
SA 12. Do you have time to go to baseball or football games now that BoH is blowing up? And if so, are you ready to be asked for autographs while you're taking in a game?
BB No and No.
SA 13. If BoH was asked to sing the National Anthem before a big game, which one would you pick?
BB That's a tough song! I'd do it at a UFC fight maybe and hope it's not being filmed.
SA 14. I know you have a special place in your heart for baseball and I play in a fantasy league with Stephen Malkmus and Bob Nastanovich from Pavement. If Malkmus gave you the invite, would you try to play with us next year? We'd love to have you.
BB Pavement is my favorite band ever! I'll do anything for them.
SA 15. Speaking of Pavement, do you plan on catching one of the reunion shows this year? I think you told me one time you stole/borrowed a station wagon to go see them play when you were a kid. Any other details about that night you can recall?
BB So lucky to catch them in Toronto this summer. One of my favorites out of so many Pavement shows. I'm totally that guy singing every lyric.
SA 16. You're playing Atlanta in October at the Fox Theater. Does that mean no New Year's shows this time around?
BB Time for a break I think.
SA 17. Do you ever get sick of your beard and think about chopping it? One of my favorite Youtube comments was "I had no idea that Abraham Lincoln was in Band of Horses."
BB I hate it.
SA 18. Ryan is probably the most gifted keyboardist I've ever seen play live and his instant classic, Older, made the new record. He's also a very funny guy. Am I right in my thinking?
BB Ryan is a living legend. He's easily the funniest person I've ever met. And possibly the greatest musical talent to boot!
SA 19. Last one...if you could have been a professional athlete, what sport/position would you have picked to play?
BB Pro Surfer would be fantastic! Travel to some of the most beautiful places on earth and connect solo with nature? I'd still choose music over anything though. If it is a "job" it's the best job ever!
So there you have it. Thanks again to Ben for taking the time to answer the questions. As I understand it, they're going to be touring a ton this year, so make sure to go check them out when they're in your neighborhood!