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Hi guys, welcome to VENTS! How have you been?
We’re alright! It feels a bit strange preparing to put out a new album when we can’t all be together or do any gigs but we’re grateful to be safe, happy and healthy at home right now.
Can you talk to us more about your latest single “The Accepted Time”?
Our record label referred to it as “uplifting melancholy,” which, although that sounds contradictory, I think sums up the sound and feeling nicely. It’s sunny, catchy indie-pop but with a true wistful, autumnal sadness as well. It puts the listener into a mindful, dreamy-yet-grounded narrative that focuses on being in the moment that feels eternal, yet passes too quickly.
Did any event in particular inspire you to write this song?
There are lots of little shout-outs to places on the walk in our hometown of Redwood City. It was written on the long, regular walks I make with my daughter home from her elementary school. A lot of it is literally true, including that it all stemmed from a sign we passed on the way: “Now is the accepted time. Not tomorrow, not some more convenient season.” To me, this means both now is the time for action and to try and appreciate the present moment more. Now is all we have.
How was the filming process and experience behind the video?
We filmed it in the beautiful garden of my daughter’s elementary school, in the neighborhood where it was written and in which the narrative of the song takes place. It stars my daughter and drummer Charlie Crabtree’s son, with the idea that they represent both the future and our younger selves or inner children. It was filmed and edited by our friend Ray Lin, who’s done a few other videos with us. It was a lot of fun and we’re very glad we were able to create it together before the shelter-in-place orders came through.
The single comes off your new album Temescal Telegraph – what’s the story behind the title?
Temescal Telegraph is a reference to the neighborhood in which we recorded it — Temescal (including Telegraph Avenue), Oakland, California. Not only is it representing the geography of where we recorded each and every second of the album, the initials T.T. are also a little shout-out to KC’s studio name: Timber Trout. The album art, depicting a rainbow trout surrounded by oak branches and other bits of nature, reflects not only references to various songs and themes (including a lot to do with water and fish) but also Timber Trout Studio and Temescal Creek, which has been a habitat for the fish long ago and could be again, with proper restoration efforts.
How was the recording and writing process?
I wrote all of the songs except for “Goodguy Sun,” which was written by one of my favorite songwriters, Martin Newell. All of the band members contribute to creating arrangements and bringing the songs to fully evolved form. While past projects have drawn from a variety of guest contributions from around the globe, for this new album we recorded the new LP entirely in the intimate setting of KC’s home studio. KC served as producer/engineer/mastering engineer, too. We wanted it to really reflect us, here and now.
What role does the Bay Area play in your music?
Our records always celebrate a sense of place. I mentioned in some of the questions above the role that Oakland and Redwood City references play in this album. Loma Alta is all inspired by the West Marin County town of Fairfax, where I grew up and my father still lives.
What aspect of the world today did you get to explore on this record?
Besides aspects of personal life, we explore topics including climate change and the environment, California and England, plants and animals, motherhood and the cycle of life and death.
Any plans to hit the road?
Travel plans are all on hold for the moment, as we assume is the case for most musicians worldwide. We were supposed to be headed to Michigan this month to play at the Mighty Uke Day Festival and a few other gigs but of course that’s all canceled for now. We’re hoping perhaps to reschedule for the autumn if possible.
What else is happening next in The Corner Laughters’ world?
Well, we’re all adjusting to homeschooling our children and “working from home” while hoping to get this new music out to the world. Hoping we can all play together again sometime in the not-too-distant future but respecting science and health experts on that!
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