by Daniel Colussi | The Fresh And Onlys have quickly established themselves as not just one of the best modern pop bands but as a kind of songwriting institution. Operating much like Robert Pollard’s ideal of “a guild of songwriters,” they’ve put out two dozen releases in the span of only three years. Those are impressive numbers, and even more so when considering the consistently great craftsmanship of their songs. Musically, they’re all over the place, merging elements of Roky Erickson with 50s brill building pop, jangling R.E.M. guitars and hooks upon hooks. Amidst readying their latest long player for release and preparing for a West Coast tour, bassist Shayde Sartin took a few moments to talk about the band’s process and the loving brotherhood vibe that makes it all possible…

The Fresh And Onlys have been quite prolific. You’ve released four albums and a dozen eps in only three years. Where do all these songs come from? There’s a huge amount of collaboration in this band. A huge amount of trust. No one ever doubts what the other person is doing with their instrument for the most part. The core of the actual songs come from Tim and myself. But the true magic of the band is the four of us as of right now.

You’ve released music through a number of different labels. Was that by design or is it just how it’s evolved? It was never a thought, really. We just had a need and there were people there willing to help us. We’ve never had a bad experience with a label or expected anything more from then. We’re just extremely fortunate.

You guys strike me as true students of pop music history. Is it possible to do anything new in pop music at this stage? Is that a question that interests you, or is it totally irrelevant to what you do? People have a strange view as to what’s “new” when it comes to music. Especially pop music. Everyone watches trends come and go. Some people take it personally. Some people dive in. Some people don’t care. The last real evolution in popular music was hip-hop. Part of the beauty of pop music is it’s resilience. There’s an endless excitement built into it that’s there for people who are willing to enjoy it or make it. It’s so fun to try and re-invent it. No matter how hard you try, you can’t. But for some reason we continue to try.

The next album is coming out on Mexican Summer in a few months. What was the vibe like while making this album? Every session is new. We never go in knowing exactly what we are going to do. That’s part of what keeps making the music new to us. We have become better at what makes us, us. The blend of melancholy and humour. All of the awkwardness. The muscularity of the band is definitely a bigger part of this record as well. Playing and touring together so much makes you very aware of everything you can do with your instrument. The confidence that comes from that is invaluable.

The first time I saw you guys you were backing up Rodriguez. Just the other day I read about a documentary film on Rodriguez called “Searching For Sugar Man.” Are you guys buddies now? Have you kept in touch with him since the tour? Unfortunately we haven’t. He’s not the kind of guy you keep in touch with but we do miss him. I hope some day we cross paths again. He’s a beautiful man.

The Fresh And Onlys and Disappears play the Biltmore Saturday February 18th. Tickets at Zulu and Red Cat.

—————————————————

Zulu Records veteran and tunage aficionado Daniel Colussi is the Music Editor of Scout Magazine.