I interrupted Alex Brown Church of Sea Wolf, in his California home while he was packing to head out on tour...
I will try and keep this short because I know you're busy. Let's get right to it. I know the band name comes from the Jack London novel, but you make a lot of references to wolves through this project. Most amusing would be the list of influences on your MySpace profile. Is there a particular fascination with wolves, or special significance for you?
The MySpace thing was a joke, really. By the time I started playing shows and record label people were showing up, a lot of people were forming bands with 'wolf' in the name. All of us, at the same time, were naming our bands similar names, unbeknownst to each other. There are a lot of 'wolf' bands out there. I think it's funny.
For me, as a kid I grew up in a rural area until I was about 8 or 9. I was an only child and I spent a lot of time playing around in the woods. The wolf was my favorite animal as a kid. I read the Jack London novel when I got a little older. I liked the title of the book and what it was all about. Plus Jack London is from California, like I am. I felt a connection to it for a number of reasons. It just felt right. I think the song 'You're a Wolf' came after the band name. I don't remember how that happened.
I've always enjoyed when artists explore sound with unconventional instruments, and that's something you're sort of known for doing. What is your favorite instrument?
Wow. Tough question. As a kid I wanted to play the fiddle, so maybe the violin is my favorite. I also like the guitar a lot. Well, I like interesting keyboard sounds, but that's kind of conventional. I also really like the tympani, and like... yeah. Oh! You know what I love? The balalaika. It's like a small 3-string guitar. I really love the sound it makes. That's a hard question, though.
You started out going to film school before becoming a professional musician. What have you taken from your film school experience that you've been able to apply to Sea Wolf?
Well, I think a lot, actually. I don't sit down to write a song and think, "Gee, how can I apply my film school experience to this?" But film school taught me how to construct a story and a narrative. That has had a big impact on my songwriting. I write in that sort of way where there is a beginning, a middle and an end. There are high and low moments. There is an arch to it. Well, most of them anyway. Lyrically and musically, the structure of the song is probably greatly influenced by film wiritng. It creates interest and demands attention the way a film would. At least I hope.
The new album comes out next week. Is there any information about the release you'd like to give your fans a heads up on before they hear it? What do you feel the biggest difference is between this album and the last (other than new songs, that is).
I feel like there's more energy to it. More blood and guts. Visceral energy. That's probably it. By the way, I don't mean
literal blood and guts. [
laughs]
[
laughs]
I know what you mean. So, you release albums on vinyl... I think that is very cool. Do you find that records are more collectors items, or do you expect people to listen in that format?
I definitely think people listen in that format, yeah. People that buy it, buy it to listen to it. Maybe there are people who buy for the collector aspect, but vinyl is making a comeback. I think it's the opposite of digital, where you don't really have anything to hold in your hand, but it's what everyone listens to now. Vinyl is like the physically biggest copy of the record you can get. Plus it sounds better than digital.
Do you record in analog or digital?
We track in analog. Some is digital. About half and half, really. You can hear the difference in the vinyl.
Ok, last question and then I'll let you get back to packing. It's kind of bullshit. The summer is basically over. How do you feel about that?
Sad. I had a great summer! I'm not really a summer guy, but it's been great to be home with my friends. Since last summer I was in Montreal instead of here, just being home is great. Now I'm going to be back on the road again. I'm very excited to be back on tour, so that's good. But I really enjoyed my summer.
Alright, that was all I had for you! Thanks for talking with me.
Oh, thank YOU.
Sea Wolf White Water, White Bloom is available everywhere on Sept. 22.
1. Wicked Blood
2. Dew in the Grass
3. Orion & Dog
4. Turn the Dirt Over
5. O Maria!
6. White Water, White Bloom
7. Spirit Horse
8. The Orchard
9. Fighting Bull
10. The Traitor
11. Winter’s Heir
Sea Wolf: White Water, White Bloom Sea Wolf on MySpace Music - Free Streaming MP3s, Pictures & Music Downloads Sea Wolf « Dangerbird Records Tour dates on Altsounds 
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