The Untitled Interview #203: Starring Matthew Schufman (Graveyard Club)

Graveyard Club caught my ear several months back, with the all sorts of infectious synth goodie "The Night is Mine." They Minneapolis outfit has since released a full length, which is full of more dizzying, 80s-inspired poptacular good times. It's darling without being precious, and yours truly is turning into quite a fan.

I do believe Matthew Schufman (he of keys and vocals) are pretty simpatico. After all, he's an Ash fan, and in the US we tend to be a bit on the scarce side. Read on to get the skinny on Schufman's alternate universe career plans, his perhaps not that surprising choice for musical cover band, and which literary great offers good advice. And be sure to check out Nightingale. I do believe you'll be glad you did. 

Fuzzy Logic: How the hell are you?

Matthew Schufman: I am doing well thanks – mega busy but good.

FL: What was the last song you listened to?

MS: While I am writing this I am listening to “Art Smock” off Days of Abandon by The Pains of Being Pure at Heart. The whole album is fantastic. (-ed. note: this is very, very true)

FL: Playing music is:

MS: My obsession.

FL: What album most made you realize you wanted to make music?

MS: It was a different record for everyone in the band, but for me it was definitely either Nu-clear Sounds by Ash or Galore (Singles) by the Cure. Not many people know about Ash in the States – but they write such great, catchy songs. I fell in love with them the first time I heard them.

FL: Beatles or Stones?

MS: The Beach Boys.

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

MS: This list is always changing for me, so I’ll go with “of now” (no particular order):
1. Days of Abandon - The Pains of Being Pure at Heart
2. Upside Down Mountain - Conor Oberst
3. Brotherhood - New Order (this is always on the list I think haha)
4. Portamento - The Drums
5. Ghoul School EP - Dragon Inn 3

FL: Favorite music-related movie?

MS: I don’t know if this counts as “music-related” but I remember seeing Donnie Darko as a teenager and loving the music. It has some great bands in it like Echo and the Bunnymen, Tears for Fears, and The Church, but it also had an amazing instrumental score by Michael Andrews.

FL: Half-full or half-empty?

MS: Half-full.

FL: Which of your peers do you think is making the best music these days?

MS: Well, I’m not sure if they’re “peers” or not but Mike’s (the guitar player) cousin play drums in Cayucas, and we love them. I’ve been listening to “Bigfoot” quite a bit all summer.

FL: What's the first thing you think when you wake up in the morning?

MS: It probably has to do with coffee, sadly.

FL: Little-known Graveyard Club fact?

MS: We were actually named Monster Club when we released our first EP, but there’s a band named No Monster Club in Ireland and things got pretty confusing quickly, so we changed it to Graveyard Club. We were all happy it happened because everyone in the band likes the name Graveyard Club better, anyway.

FL: The greatest record store in the world is:

MS: Hymie’s in Minneapolis.

FL: Your boots were made for:

MS: Dancing.

FL: Shaken or stirred?

MS: Stirred.

FL: Favorite venue (either to play or to visit)?

MS: Our favorite venue in Minneapolis is First Avenue & 7th St Entry.

FL: Best piece of advice you've ever been given?

MS: “To be yourself in a world that is constantly trying to make you something else is the greatest accomplishment.” – Ralph Waldo Emerson

FL: If you weren't in a band you'd be?

MS: An elementary school teacher.

FL: If you were so inclined, whom would you form a tribute band in honor of?

MS: Definitely New Order.

FL: Best song ever written?

MS: That’s way too hard to answer, so I’m gonna go with “Graduation Song” by Vitamin C.





[posted 12.6.14]

Comments

Popular Posts