The Blakes are a three piece on Seattle record label Light in the Attic, the same label that brings us The Black Angels & Betty Davis records. Growing up, the bassist wanted to be Hank Williams, the drummer wanted to be Brett Michaels, and the guitarist wanted to be Brian Wilson. They have worked washing dishes at a hostel, been busted for playing guitars in Pike Place Market without a permit, and at one point were strangely connected to Phil Collins.
BYT: There has been high demand for a Blakes LP for quite some time – at least on the west coast. Was there a reason for the delay of a full length?
We released the album on our own last year and after we signed with Light in the Attic we remixed and remastered it and they re-released it earlier this month. The label wanted to put out a teaser EP before the re-release to get people excited about the full-length, hence the wait.
BYT: Where was this album recorded? What affects did the space have on the recording process?
We recorded the album at Attercop Sound in Seattle. It’s adjacent to our rehearsal space. The guitarist from Heart built the studio in the seventies and we felt the spirit of Steamboat Annie watching over us.
BYT: There must be some specific girls that influenced these songs (previous girlfriends, maybe the girl who works at Denny’s, etc): please describe. Unless of course you can truly say they were only written to address the general female populace.
There are specific girls that influence our songs, including Brigitte Bardot.
BYT: Were you ever into any music coming out of DC, past or present- and did any of it influence you as you progressed as an artist?
Roberta Flack is great. We saw her enter her apartment building (the Dakota) while we were at CMJ in NYC.
BYT: What is your favorite Smiths album?
First one
BYT: Favorite record store?
Easy Street West Seattle (http://www.buymusichere.net/stores/easystreet/)
BYT: Do you prefer Mac & Jacks, Manny’s or Rainier Beer?
Rainier
BYT: The rest of the country thinks that it rains non-stop in Seattle, can you set them straight?
Highest suicide rate in the country, we’re growing moss on our bodies and there are dead fish in the streets. DO NOT move here.
BYT: What has your relationship with KEXP (http://kexp.org) been like? The station seems to have a hold on breaking great new independent music. Do you attribute some of your popularity to their support?
We dropped off our self-released album there and their programming director gave it a listen and loved it. He got all the other DJs into it and eventually it went to number one on the station. They’ve had a big hand in getting us to where we are now.
BYT: I often hear negative things about the audiences in Seattle, that they are extremely critical and often self-proclaimed “too cool.” Has this been your experience? For example, at Bumbershoot this past year I witnessed several people throwing sandwiches at Ted Leo during his performance.
The crowds at our shows come to dance, drink and carry on. Playing Seattle is always a deeply positive experience for us.
BYT: You have mentioned before that making music is better than using drugs. What is the best way for you to induce writing music?
There are many paths to enlightenment, my son.
one of which may be seeing The Blakes live: they will be playing the Red & the Black 11/19 (That would be Today).
