An Interview with Art from Everclear, In Which We Discuss Soapbox, and Seattle
Art Alexakis of Everclear took some time out from rehearsal on Thursday to talk with Seattlest about what he's been up to and the sold out show tonight at Columbia City Theater. What did we learn? He loves Seattle, he's excited about recording the show at Columbia City, and he loves playing in Everclear with its ever-changing cast of characters. Read on for the interview in full.
Your current album is called, "In A Different Light". Do you feel like that title summarizes the band and the experiences you've had as a group or was this more of a personal realization?
It came out about a year ago, so things have changed since then. Everybody has to deal with a change in life and keep growing, hopefully. I think it's more of a universal thing, it's not necessarily meant to represent anything but it's something everyone can relate to.
Do you have any other plans to do more solo projects like the ones back in 2008, when you worked with Apparently Nothing?
That wasn't really a solo project, I was working with a band. I've produced a lot of stuff for a lot of people. I like working with people and recording with people, so yes, absolutely.
It seems like almost all of your songs could be autobiographical, is that the case?
I guess it could be thought of that way, but no, they're not really about my life necessarily. They are just stories meant to reach out to the listener. Something we can all relate to and feel like there's someone else out there that understands things that happen in life that may have happened to us.
What inspired you to do Black Jack radio, do you have a big interest in introducing new music that you love to the public? Do you ever plan to do something like that again?
Yea, as a matter of fact we're working on doing a video podcast next year called Soapbox. A political thing, we're hoping to record it two or threee times a week in my house. But Black Jack wasn't really about me being a DJ, it was more of a place for me to talk about politics, issues, and cultural events and also play some music.
Your band has gone through quite a few iterations with you being the only consistent member, why did you decide to stick with it instead of starting a new project?
I just like Everclear. I mean, it's always kind of been my project but changing it up every couple of years or so changes the music and makes it interesting and different each time. A lot of people have a misnomer that the two guys in the videos back in the 90's were the first band. They weren't they; were the third version.
You've brought back some previous members of the band, is it like bringing a family back together or do you just see it as a good move for the band music-wise or both?
A little of both, I mean it's definitely like getting a family back together, but I also think it's going to be really good musically. It is like family and it does make the music better, a little of both.
What's a typical day in the life for you?
I wake up at about 6 or 6:30 with my daughter and get her ready for school, then take her and come home. I work out, then read some publications I like. Then I might start writing or work on a live record. Work the rest of the day, my wife gets home and we go pick up my daughter, we have dinner together as a family. Two times a week I chat with my 18 year old daughter that's going to school back east. You know, pretty boring, but pretty wonderful at the same time. While I'm on the road it's essentially the same thing except I hang out with the band. Try to go and work out. I'm happier when I'm physically and mentally happy. But when I'm in the studio, I'm in there recording I wake up at 6 in the morning and I go down there and work all day. I don't screw around while I'm working.
One last question, what's your favorite place to visit in Seattle?
One of our band members lives in Snoqualmie so we spend time down there a lot. That's kinda where I hang out the most. But while I'm [in the city], I don't really like doing the touristy thing, I just love being in Seattle. We're going to go up there Friday and we're just gonna hang out.
So you're excited about the show on Friday at Columbia City and the live recording you're doing?
I can't wait. All the boys, the band are staying with me for a couple days. I have things I want to fix and get right and they have some things they want to work in and get ready. It's going to be a great project.
