New(ish) Music for a New(ish) Month: The Sea Navy
Coincidence or not, we’re all about Seattle rock with aquatic themes right now…Perhaps, there’s something going on subconsciously that predisposes us to like anything that reminds us of our watery surroundings now that one of the most spectacular summers we’ve seen in quite some time is behind us. Whatever the case may actually be, we’ve been delighted by musical offerings that bring to mind those (more) carefree days spent out at Golden Gardens and Gasworks.
Along with our favorite purveyors of Seattle goof rock, BOAT and Aqueduct, we were delighted when one of our or newest favorite pop rock imports--who happen to also have an aquatic name--self-released their third offering just about one month ago. The Seattle by-way-of-Boston trio The Sea Navy have continued to fine-tune their craft of producing tunes that should delight fans of the Cold War Kids, Ted Leo and the Pharmacists and catchy pop rock. When it comes to churning out tunes with sincere, yet sometimes quite obscure references and hooks galore, Sea Navy captain and frontman Jay Cox seems to have it all mapped out.
We were able to catch up with Jay to learn a bit about the band’s evolution, the new album and what lies ahead at the tail end of summer.
Be sure to watch their video for talktalktalk. If you like what you hear, pick up their album (at the expected places online or at Sonic Boom) and show up early on November 7th as they will be opening for David Bazan at his much-anticipated homecoming show at Neumos.
What themes do you explore in the record?
Love, love lost, love forgotten, love found, the haves, the have nots, high highs, low lows, climbing up the ladder, jealousy, anger, the fear and elation that comes with following something like say a sports team over the course of a losing season.
How would you describe your music to those who have not yet heard it?
Ever heard of Led Zeppelin? Well we sound nothing like that. The band has guitar, drums and bass. All the songs are up tempo and the singer is fun to watch. Plus the songs are short so if you don’t like one it will be over before you can change it.
What artists/bands would you cite as some of the major influences on this record?
(I am speaking for myself) In no particular order : The author Haruki Murakami, the 2008 season of The Seattle Mariners, the television show LOST, the board game CLUE, the city of Seattle, the city of Tacoma, “Elvis Costello's Armed Forces (33 1/3”) by Franklin Bruno, Mission of Burma, Guided By Voices, “Boy About Town” by THE JAM, 764-HERO, The Modern Lovers, “Cubs in 5” by The Mountain Goats, Pavement, Fugazi’s albums “Instrument” and “The Argument”, oldies radio, SOUL JAZZ compilation “STUDIO ONE SOUL”, interpersonal communication, jealousy and depression, the painting “Flowers 2 (Blue)” by Andy Warhol, walking around town….
When did you form and from what circumstances?
When I lived in Boston I was in a band called The Ivory Coast from 1998 to 2003. We put out one album on Big Wheel Recreation and one on Polyvinyl. I learned a lot being in that band and meet some amazing people along the way. We got to tour and play with almost every band I ever wanted to play with. Those years were really formative as far as learning the recording process, learning how a band works, and learning how to write songs and melodies I am comfortable with, instead of just trying to sing louder over even louder music. It was also interesting being in a band pre-Myspace age. One of the influential experiences in my musical history was being able to record album #2 with TW Walsh. Working really closely with him I picked up so much, not only about arrangements and ideas but also more about the thought process behind the music and also a new approach to playing music.
Seattle is described across the globe alongside Portland, Austin and a few others as a city that offers a great community of musicians. What is your experience with the Seattle scene?
Being someone that moved here from the opposite coast and was not from Bellingham and was not a UW graduate and was not here during “the years” it has been a surprisingly easy city to play music in. It took a while to get to know everyone but people seemed genuine and willing to introduce you or suggest people for you to meet. Not that there have not been road bumps along the way but they have all been learning experiences. Seattle offers a lot of places for a band to play no matter of your size or following or sound. Also the people of Seattle are huge music fans and do a great job at supporting venues and record stores around town.
The song titles on the album are interesting. What is your process for naming songs?
I try to be creative and I try not to name a song a lyric from the song. I have done it a few times cause it was a perfect fit but I always hate myself for it. My favorite title is “Loudest Beer In Town” which is off of record #1. I was walking by a store that was selling the “Coldest Beer In Town” and misread it but fell in love it right away. Often times I will write a song based on the song title. “Divorced, Beheaded, Dies, Divorced, Beheaded, Survived” off record # 2 is another favorite. After 4 years of college this is one of the few things facts that still resides in my head. “DBD, DBS” is a mnemonic way to remember the fate of King Henry VIII’s wives.
What should people expect from your live performance?
I feel like the songs on the record are great live songs. We made the point of making the record and live performance two different things. So if there is a song you kinda/sorta like on the record hopefully expect to have that opinion go up a notch or two after seeing it live. I don’t have the witty stage banter of John Roderick, I don’t do Q&A like Dave Bazan and we don’t have our name in lights like USE but despite all of that we try and put on the best show we can. As the front man I try to “sell” it as much as possible without crossing that line that will get me scolded by the band afterwards.
