Get To Know In 7: Colour Revolt’s Jesse Coppenbarger
We all love reading interviews with our favorite bands, and the interviews usually cover a lot of the same stuff, how the band got started, new album details, etc., etc., etc. Coming into contact with quite a few artists on a regular basis, I figured I could prepare a short set of short answer questions that I could deliver without having to go into a lengthy sit session of talking and editing. This is the third in what I hope to be a long series of “Get To Know In 7″ and any suggestions or recommendations on questions that you might want used in future editions, please, please, let me know.
I have to thank Manchester Orchestra’s Andy Hull for pointing me in the direction of the band Colour Revolt. I don’t often take to recommendations easily, but every time I saw Andy play he was sporting a Colour Revolt t-shirt, and just about every time we have spoken, the band’s name came up along with his outpouring of admiration for their work. It took me awhile, but once hooked, I can’t get enough of Colour Revolt’s recorded material as well as their live shows. It remains all of a mystery to me why this band hasn’t made more headway in the music scene, but what they have managed to accomplish should solidify the band’s existence long enough for me to get my fill.
After releasing their first EP, the Oxford, MS band found itself signing on to Fat Possum records for their full length recording Plunder, Beg, and Curse which found release earlier this year. The band balanced touring and the remainder of college until the members finished out their college years with graduation in May. The constant touring schedule since has found them taking festival stage @ both Monolith and ACL, along with a myriad of touring partners, some of which fail to compliment the bands style of music.
Colour Revolt’s sound is layered in guitars that swirl and attack in complex structures, while Coppenbarger works his way into lyrical wailing, questioning the life issues that every 20-something year old should question. Dark at times, delving into spirituality and some of the more unpleasant elements of the constant struggles of the human spirit. I highly recommend a listen if you aren’t familiar.
Plunder, Beg, and Curse landed the 35 spot on Paste Magazines top 50 for 2008.
I caught up with Jesse awhile back when the band was in town for a quick session of 7 questions.
1. What’s your favorite color? “It used to be baby blue, but then I think about it as, would I want baby blue instruments? And I don’t really think so, but I’ll stick with baby blue.”
2. Your favorite season and why? “The end of fall. It’s a good feeling. It’s nice in Mississippi because it’s not cold yet, it’s still t-shirt weather. And I’m a big Halloween fan.”
3. Name one must own album. “Medúlla by Bjork”
4. Favorite aspect of being in this band? “We can travel pretty light. We all grew up together, so we’re all pretty good friends. It’s pretty easy to be in this band, because we all share the weight.”
5. One person, dead or alive, that you would want to meet. “Abraham Lincoln. I just found this series of magazines that are dedicated to letters by presidents and they have one magazine that is completely dedicated to Abraham Lincoln. I starting reading it and that guy is totally awesome.”
6. Name one album or band you are really into right now. “Harvey Milk from Athens. It’s older dudes playing sludge metal. It’s not shred metal, it’s pretty listenable, and it’s good.”
7. Vinyl, CD, or MP3? “Vinyl”
I think it’s time to get rid of some of these questions.
Thanks to Jesse for bearing with me and answering my questions. It’s always to pleasure to run into Colour Revolt and watch the band perform live. Hopefully we’ll see them around these parts during SXSW 2009.
If you didn’t notice in the picture, Jesse is a big fan of the Puddle of MVD.
MP3> Colour Revolt ‘Swamp’
