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Interview with Braid's Robert Nanna
by Sean-Michael Dore on 2004-06-09 |
Sean-Michael Dore(MAMMOTH PRESS): I don't like to dwell upon the past and picking at old scars never really solves anything, but just to set the tone we're going to take a step back.
What happened between August 1999 and now to cause what is now known as 'Braid Tour 2004', besides the obvious re-issue of Killing a Camera on glorious DVD with special features and commentary, what caused this tour idea to start rolling towards this reality?
Bob Nanna (Braid): In the years after Braid's breakup, whatever wounds were left quickly healed. Braid's demise had a lot to do with Chris wanting to go back to
school and our general dissatisfaction with touring at that time. I
really think we needed a nice extended break from the songs and from
each other. When we got together to do commentary for the Killing A
Camera DVD, we had an amazing time and decided that it would be fun to
reunite for a show to celebrate its release. Since we didn't have any
upcoming plans for the summer, it became a full blown tour.
Is this Braid tour a prelude for something else, or is it just for fun? Do we have a possibility of a new album or maybe an addition to your impressive 7" catalog?
It's just for fun, basically. I'm not saying either way what's going to
happen when the tour is over, and if the answer is "nothing" then I'll
be completely satisfied.
Braid had a line up change with the departure of Roy and the addition of Damon. Are you guys still talking to Roy? Why did Braid decide to call it quits and Hey Mercedes come from the break-up? The line-up is very similar.
Oh yeah, we talk to Roy all of the time and Todd still runs a record
label with him (Grand Theft Autumn). As I mentioned earlier, Chris
wanted to stop touring and go back to school and Todd, Damon, & I
wanted to keep playing music. So that's what we did. A few months after
the last Braid shows, Hey Mercedes was born. We never for a second
considered keeping the Braid name without Chris. It wouldn't be Braid.
What are you most excited about on this upcoming tour?
I'm excited to see people's reactions to the songs. I'm assuming that 80% of the crowd will have never seen Braid live so that will be interesting. I also hope some older friends come out of the woodwork.
Braid released two Smiths covers (and in my opinion they are 2 of the most valiant covers of the Smiths to date by any band). How much of an influence was Morrissey and the Smith on Braid?
Thanks. Quite honestly, Morrissey was only really a lyrical influence
to me (and probably Chris as well). No offense to Johnny Marr, but I
really only connected with the brute frankness of his lyrics. I
listened to The Smiths nonstop in college, so i'm sure there was some
Morrissey creeping into my subconscious as I was writing away during
classes.
What album influenced you personally? What made you want to begin making music?
It's hard to pick just one album, but I distinctly remembered being so
drawn to Pink Floyd's "The Wall" when I was a kid. Maybe that's a dumb
answer, but I loved the whole grand drama to it all - the storyline,
the characters, and even the wild artwork. I always try and give songs
a little dramatic kick so maybe it stems from that... I have no idea
what initially made me want to play music, but I've wanted to - ever
since i can remember. My mom tells a funny story (and i can't vouche
for it's authenticity) about my first words. She overheard me singing
the Alphabet Song in my crib!
Be sure to catch Braid on their reunion tour this summer, and pick up their new DVD Killing a Camera in finer indie music stores now.
[ VIEW ALL INTERVIEWS ]
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