Buzzgrinder regular Chase Pagan is coming down to Austin for our SXSW day party with a new band, Family History. We’re really excited to have Family History make its SXSW debut at our party. As such, we thought Buzzgrinderers might want to know a little about this latest endeavor.
Was there anything in particular that prompted the creation of Family History, or was it an organic process that just kind of happened?
I was really wanting to write with people, instead of doing it all on my own. This first batch of songs are some of the ones I had all ready written on my own, but I am hoping we get to do more writing together before the record is recorded.
How does Family History differ from what you’ve done in the past personally? What things are distinctly “Chase Pagan” about the band?
I would say I am playing a lot more guitar, maybe singing a little lower.
It’s still pretty scattered and all over the place, as all ways.
Are there any immediate plans or ideas for the band in terms of records and touring at this point?
The only plan as of now is to record. We are talking to some exciting producers about getting involved, I will fill you in on that when I can.
What’s your favorite thing about SXSW?
I think looking at all the people, seeing the different fashions that people are trying to pull off! That is all ways fun. Other then that catching up with friends and bands I haven’t seen in a while.
SXSW can be crazy for so many reasons and in so many ways. Do you have any zany stories from trips to Austin in March?
The only thing that comes to mind is, one year we were about to hit the road and we lost one of our friends that was riding with us for about 10 hours. He didn’t have a cell phone, so we just had to search the whole town for him. We found him just sitting on the curb out side a bar.
Sure, people talk about how amazing New York, Chicago, Austin and the like are. But that’s easy. When a city is big, you’re bound to find some cool stuff — lots of people live there. What about when a city isn’t some huge metropolis, but it somehow finds a way to be awesome? Well, that’s why we’re on the scene.
This week, Vince Griffin of Bear Colony gives us some insight into what’s hopping and popping with the hepcats in Little Rock, Ark.
What makes your city awesome?
The combination of nature, city and everyone being laid back. It’s big enough to get the things you love and small enough for people to know your name.
Biggest band to come out of your city
Well, Johnny Cash is from Arkansas.
What kind of music is coming out of your city right now?
A combo of indie rock, metal and folk. As far as indie, we have American Princes ( which has a lot of amazing people in it… and they have played with everyone from The Flaming Lips to Apples in Stereo) and The Big Cats, who have members of Green Day, The Stills and Dan Zanes. Both of those bands are on a local record label here called Max Recordings which has been around forever. Definitely something that makes me proud of Little Rock.
Chase Pagan really showcases his talents with Bells and Whistles. There are some really great bouncy moments and a delicate pop sensibility to go alone with Chase’s pseudo-folk, with plenty of lavish embellishments here and there. And that’s all crafted around his vocals, which are simultaneously light and forceful.
He’s showed a lot of potential in the past, and it seems like he’s realizing that potential. Let’s hope he keeps it up.
Thanks to Chase Pagan for giving us a little insight into the state of Arkansas. Now you know it’s good for more than subpar SEC football (as opposed to Kentucky and its subpar SEC basketball). Be sure to check out the musicians Chase talked about today, and buy his new record when it comes out June 9!
Chase Pagan has a new album, Bells & Whistles, out June 9 on Esperanza Plantation. In addition, Chase has been sweet enough to take over Buzzgrinder for the day. That’s right, lazy day watching our stories for the Buzzgrinder staff.
I have completed my new record Bells & Whistles. Chad Copelin and I recorded 17 songs in three weeks at his studio (Blackwatch Studios), and you can hear it all soon. The record comes out on June 9, along three b-sides that you’ll get for free when you pre-order the record at Insound.com starting next month. Also, look out for my Daytrotter session coming out with the release!
Thank you Buzzgrinder for letting me do this, and I hope you people enjoyed the Arkansas news!
Chase Pagan has a new album, Bells & Whistles, out June 9 on Esperanza Plantation. In addition, Chase has been sweet enough to take over Buzzgrinder for the day. That’s right, lazy day watching our stories for the Buzzgrinder staff.
I want to tell you about one of my favorite places in Arkansas. The town is called Mountain View, and my grandparents live there. It’s the only place (I know of) in America that on a nice day you will find folks in town playing banjos, fiddles, boxtops and uprights on the town square — with ages ranging from birth to death.
I once saw a 70-year-old man and woman get into a little fight, ending with the woman saying, “I am getting my fiddle, do you mind!?!?”
I don’t think there is another place you can hear that sentence! Mountain View, Ark., home of the Ozark Folk Center.
Chase Pagan has a new album, Bells & Whistles, out June 9 on Esperanza Plantation. In addition, Chase has been sweet enough to take over Buzzgrinder for the day. That’s right, lazy day watching our stories for the Buzzgrinder staff.
Bear Colony just announced a tour with mewithoutYou! If you’re unfamiliar, Bear Colony is a music collective featuring the following members:
♥ Vince Griffin
♥ Brooks Tipton
♥ Dave Huff
♥ Patrick Ryan
♥ David Thomas Owen 4th
♥ Stephen Tucker
♥ Adam Putman
♥ Matthew Putman
♥ Matthew Depper
♥ Chase Pagan
♥ Kyle Smith
♥ Daniel Thoms Gimlin
♥ Bryce Chambers
♥ Andy Haldeman
It started with Vince Griffin sending out his little laptop demos around to all of his friends. The idea was to send music back and forth online, then get together every couple of months and record together (in-a-house). After a year, we had We Came Here to Die.
We’ve just started the process all over, except this time on warp speed with Matthew Putman “producing.”
Chase Pagan has a new album, Bells & Whistles, out June 9 on Esperanza Plantation. In addition, Chase has been sweet enough to take over Buzzgrinder for the day. That’s right, lazy day watching our stories for the Buzzgrinder staff.
My name is Chase Pagan, and I’m taking over Buzzgrider for one day. So being from Arkansas, I’m going to take this opportunity to share some things about this place. Mostly Music.
We’re gonna start with Christopher Denny. He has one of the most “Arkansas voices” in Arkansas!
I first met Chris when he was working at a coffee roasting company several years back. He was — and is — the most southern guy I know in the south, and his music is amazing! I asked him to come sing on a song,on my new record called John & Betty.
So go listen to that at www.myspace.com/chasepagan. The voice that you might have thought was a soulful woman — that is Christopher Denny.
He’s just announced some tour dates, so check him out in your city and listen to his music.
Chase Pagan has a new album coming out June 9 from Esperanza Plantation. It’s titled Bells & Whistles, and if early indications are accurate (and they probably are), the album is going to be great. In addition to the track below, Gun and the Sword, you can listen to two other tracks from the record on his MySpace.
:: Tooth & Nail has over 50 out-of-print albums available on iTunes now. Nab that Joe Christmas album. And you can get two Blenderhead records, too. I wonder what kind of car Bill Power is going to buy with the extra money from that?
:: Barsuk just added Say Hi (f.k.a. Say Hi to Your Mom, duh!) to its roster. The band’s new album, Oohs & Aahs, will hit the streets in March.
Photos: Obits at the Black Cat
Photos: The Promise Ring at The Metro
Photos: Monotonix at Fun Fun Fun Fest
Photos: Valient Thorr at Fun Fun Fun Fest
Photos: Danielson, Welcome Wagon at The 930 Listening Room