SXSW Preview:
Field Report

Field Report’s Nick Berg filed this survey in advance of the band’s visit to Austin.

Favorite Albums of All-Time:
Beach Boys – Pet Sounds – Classic melodies and songwriting
The Cure – Disintegration
Air – Virgin Suicides  soundtrack
Beck – Sea Change
Elliott Smith – Figure 8
Peter Gabriel – So

Albums Currently on Heavy Rotation:
Kathleen Edwards – Voyageur
Brian Eno – Ambient 1: Music for Airports
Peter Gabriel – So

Favorite City on Tour and Why:
“Morrison Co. with Counting Crows. We had a nice place to stay and the food was amazing; then, to play in this historic and ridiculously awesome venue [above] was too much! Wives and friends flew out to meet us at this show, so it was a nice piece of home there with us. The food is served underneath the stage in an amazing room where the back wall is rock from the mountains to remind you this is all a part of where you are. Go eat at Toast!” (see below)

Favorite Touring Memory:
“Spiral Jetty [below] in Utah on Counting Crows tour. Such a peaceful and beautiful place. Saltiest lake in the world, I think people say. A lot of fun to play in but we were covered with salt dust for days.”

Biggest Inspirations (musically or otherwise):
“My dad. He passed away when I was in my 20s and he was a constant supporter of my dream of music. He didn’t live to see me do what I am doing now.

“Photography as art inspires me, getting to see other people’s view of the world.

“Other people’s love for what they do inspires me to work harder and try harder. Working with everyone I can also inspires me; it allows me to extend my abilities and bring more to everything I do.”

Favorite Quote(s)
“Just about everything Travis Whitty says is quotable.”

Favorite Books and Movies
Amelie
Annie Leibovitz – American Music photo book
I Am Trying to Break Your Heart: A Film About Wilco
“Once again, so many!”

Interesting or Unknown Fact About Yourself
“I was a red belt in Karate at the age of 10. I didn’t keep up with it.”