Brightest Young Things

Few bands embrace their own quirky brand of fun with the gusto Seattle's Tullycraft do. Sending out sweet songs for our listening pleasure for well over a decade, they have managed to become something of an underground pop institution. Using their website to bring beloved tunes from like-minded others to an adoring audience, all the while sprinkling in their unique view on the world, they operate as a flag bearer for pop when we might need it the most. Now they are bringing it to the east coast on a short tour, swirling around multiple shows at New York's massive Popfest. Luckily DC gets a stop of their own and in heated (well, the kind middle school boys feel seven days of the week) anticipation we had a chance to e-chat with the boys (and girl.) C'mon and get happy!

Here goes:

I am still catching up on my mp3s of the day on tullycraftnation, but is it just me or have the posts taken a turn for the morbid lately? Too much Law and Order late at night?
Sean: I can only assume that this is in reference to the first "successful" version of Windows post. I guess it is a bit morbid that so many people continue to support such a terrible operating system.
Corianton: Team Leopard, all up in your face!
Jenny: And really, we're more CSI than Law and Order.

Why don't you make enough t-shirts for fat people? They love Tullycraft too ya know!
Sean: We thought we did… and then they sold out. For years, our main T-shirt customer was the size small girls. Maybe our demographic has changed?
Jeff: Maybe now they're all pregnant!
Sean: Maybe? Maybe we should drop "Sweet" from the set? Too much love in the air!

At this point are you the only band that should be burdened with the "twee" moniker since you wrote that song and everything?
Sean: No. And I'm not sure I would refer to it as a "burden."
Jeff: We're twee?
Jenny: Jeff's always the last to know...
Sean: He usually is.

Whats the most mis-matched bill you were ever on?
Sean: Tullycraft / Da Alcoholics (hip hop)

Everyone write down what they had for breakfast - go!
Sean: Crispix
Jeff: Slept through breakfast.
Jenny: delicious, heart-healthy oatmeal!
Corianton: A human head
Sean: Huh?

That was boring - strangest breakfast ever on tour - go!
Sean: We love waffles in the shape of the state we're in. Some hotels offer that.
Jenny: It's true. We have photographic proof!
Jeff: Hah! You try getting 5 people up and ready on tour in time to eat breakfast. By the time Chris and I get these jokers in the van it's time for lunch!

One record the entire band can agree to listen to on tour:
Sean: Cars Can Be Blue
Jeff: If I'm sitting in the shotgun position they'll listen to anything I play and they'll enjoy it! That would usually mean it's my extensive collection of Truck Driving Music.
Corianton: Diesel smoke! Dangerous cuuuuurves!
Jenny: We like to call Jeff le petit caporal.
Sean: Jeff does love that "Girl On The Billboard" song.

Tell me about the Tullycraft talent show:
Jeff: Really? Is this where the Internet dead ends? The Tullycraft Talent Show? I mean it's amazing. Imagine the Little Rascals if you're old enough to remember them and then you are getting close. There are musical acts, magic, stand up comedy, skits of all kinds, animal tricks, fireworks, 911 calls anything you can think of. We've also had a Science Fair and a Diorama Competition. Maybe it's like Burning Man for 15 people. We get bored and have to entertain ourselves, fortunately our friends have as little shame as we do. It's the kind of stuff people did before TV and the Interwebs. But anyone can and should do it themselves. Put a sheet up over the garage door and have a show.
Jenny: I don't know about Jeff's internet tirade, but I do agree with him that everyone should put on a talent show once in their lives!
Corianton: Jeff gets the internet confused with the Talent Show, they're really similar.

What has it been like in Seattle since the Croc closed?
Sean: Sad. That was a wonderful club to see and play a show.
Corianton: Huge loss, terrible, crushing news.
Jeff: Rainy mostly.

What was Chris doing in Sweden?
Sean: He recently bought a summer house there. He is visiting it.
Jenny: He thinks he's SO cool! Look at me, I have a summer house! In another country!
Corianton: Oh! I'm SO RICH! I have a SUMMER HOUSE! Hur mycket kostar den?

Has Corianton become such a talented designer now that it is kind of annoying?
Jeff: That Cori is annoying has nothing to do with his obvious talent as a designer but more to do with his personality.
Sean: The fact that Corianton is a talented designer is not annoying…it's wonderfully annoying.
Jenny: I love that this interview is capturing Jeff's true surly nature!
Corianton: Well at least I know the difference between a Bembo and a Bookman.
Chris: Oh! I'm SO SMART! I hang out with Michael Stipe! My name is Corianton!

Is there anyone in indiepop you guys don't know?
Sean: Sure. There are plenty of folks we don't know, but we have had the good fortune of meeting a lot of great people too.
Corianton: Not true, Sean DOES know everybody!

If I bring my copy of "Brick Factory" will you sign it?
Sean: Why do you even own a copy of that record?
Jeff: Yes. "Dear John, You need to learn the value of a dollar as you have shown with this fine purchase. Hearts, Jeff."
Corianton: Slow down, gay bar.. that record RULES.

You have outlasted several waves of smart pop bands and obviously keep up on what's out there - who is the one band that broke your heart when they didn't break big?
Sean: The Push Kings
Corianton: Pollen
Jeff: I actually don't care if a band breaks big or not. If a band breaks up because they didn't get big then they were doing it for the wrong reasons weren't they? We've been doing it for years now and never cared if we "made it". I think we just wanted to put out a single when we started. That seems like making it. Leaving a little document that says we existed. All that being said, why the fuck didn't you buy the Pooh Sticks 'Formula One Generation', John?

What new shit should the kids be listening to?
Sean: Nana Grizol (from Athens, GA) They are amazing!
Corianton: Parenthetical Girls, Sister Rosetta Tharpe, the Ting Tings.
Jeff: Kids shouldn't listen to anyone, that is the joy of being a kid. Go make your own noise kids! You are better than most of the 'new shit' anyone tries to pawn off on you! But if you have to listen to something, listen to it all. I love all sorts of music.
Sean: I think the kids ARE listening to The Ting Tings. I can't go anywhere without hearing that "That's Not My Name" song.... it's a catchy one!

Ratio male to female of an average Tullycraft audience?
Sean: I'd say 55% girls / 45% guys
Jeff: I'd say it's pretty evenly split too. Probably some Hermaphrodites too! Tullycraft don't judge you on your sex.
Corianton: Unless your sex isn't very good.

Percentage wearing glasses?
Sean: 65%
Corianton: I can't read this question without my glasses, hang on.
Jeff: Hey, if you piss me off those glasses won't protect you, John.

In its own special way, your brand of music making is fearless. Why do you think so many bands are afraid to sound unabashedly "pop"
Corianton: It's easy to laugh, it's so easy to hate. It takes strength to be gentle and kind.
Sean: Did you just quote The Smiths?
Jeff: Too many people are afraid not to belong to something, John. That's true in every music style even twee and indie rock. That's why so many bands sound alike. Tullycraft started as some friends who loved music and making it. We were never very accomplished musicians and never claimed to be. We couldn't sound like another band if we tried. But we didn't seem to care 'cause we were having so much fun. I guess that is what you are calling fearless. We called it fun.
Jenny: Jeff, did you think you were contributing to Creed Thoughts instead?

interweb them: tullycraftnation
space out: myspace.com/tullycraft

see them up close and personal at The Red + Black June 15th with From Bubblegum to Sky, Sprites and Sad Crocodile