The Untitled Interview #201: Starring Matt Kivel

As is sometimes the way, it didn't take all that long for it to happen. I fell in deep, major smit with Matt Kivel's Days of Being Wild record about ten seconds into hearing the gorgeous "Insignificance." The whole album has this beautiful, lo-fi sunshine sound, idyllic in its way and impossible not to fall for. You'll hear me gush more about it later, don't you worry.

Naturally, I was curious about Mr. Kivel. So read on, dear friends, for a glimpse into the thoughts of a heck of a musician with a penchant for 80s pop song sweetness and a serious hankering for a pair of boots. 


Fuzzy Logic: How the hell are you?
Matt Kivel: I'm fine at the moment.

FL: What was the last song you listened to?
MK: A song I wrote yesterday. I was listening to it a few minutes ago. I worked on the lyrics last night. The melody has been kicking around for a few days. It might be something worth pursuing on the next record. The lyrics are kind of different than some of the things I've done in the past. gospel-thunderous drums- with some wiry electric guitar, played at a slow slow pace

FL: Playing music is:
MK: Something i do on a fairly regular basis

FL: What album most made you realize you wanted to make music?
MK: Wilco yankeehotelfoxtrot.

FL: Beatles or Stones?
MK: Beatles ... the songs are too beautiful

FL: Top 5 albums (of now, of this week, of ever):
MK: This week:

Nirvana - In Utero
Pussygutt / Story of Rats - Sea of Sand
Various artists - Laila je T'aime
Cass McCombs - Big Wheel and Others
Amps for Christ - Canyons Cars and Crows

FL: Favorite music-related movie?
MK: Step Across the Border.

FL: Half-full or half-empty?
MK: Half full.

FL: Which of your peers do you think is making the best music these days?
MK: I don't think they're necessarily my peers, but I really feel like Bill Callahan, Will Oldham, Joanna Newsom and Robert Wyatt are probably making the best music right now.

FL: What's the first thing you think when you wake up in the morning?
MK: It's nice to see my girlfriend.

FL: Little-known Matt Kivel fact?
MK: I wrote two record reviews for The Wire in 2007 ... album reviews for Prefuse 73 and J Dilla.

FL: The greatest record store in the world is:
MK: Mono records in Echo Park.

FL: Your boots were made for:
MK: I've never actually owned any proper boots. i'd like to someday. 

FL: Shaken or stirred?
MK: Shaken.

FL: Favorite venue (either to play or to visit)?
MK: The Echo.

FL: Best piece of advice you've ever been given?
MK: Learn to record yourself -- Mitchell Froom.

FL: If you weren't in a band you'd be?
MK: I'm not in a band anymore!

FL: If you were so inclined, whom would you form a tribute band in honor of?
MK: Probably Nick Drake, or Fairport Convention.

FL: Best song ever written?
MK: "Born to Run" by Bruce Springsteen.







[posted 8.24.14]