5 Questions with
Yellow Ostrich

Three years ago, Yellow Ostrich’s Alex Schaaf journeyed from Wisconsin to Brooklyn. At some point in the trip, he swapped his home-looped recordings for a full band — and signed a contract with indie heavyweight Barsuk Records. Now, fresh off of the release of Yellow Ostrich’s second full-band affair, Cosmos, Schaaf is bringing his brand of delectably catchy indie rock back home. I spoke with him last week in anticipation of his upcoming Saturday set at High Noon Saloon. 

When did you decide to make the move from Wisconsin to New York?
“I moved right after college. I went to a school up in Appleton — Lawrence University. It was just a moment where I wanted to do something different, and New York seemed like a fun place. I didn’t really think about it that much, but in retrospect it was a good decision.”

Why did you name your record after Carl Sagan’s TV series, Cosmos?
“Cosmos [the album] isn’t about space, or about astronomy, or anything like that. I think the record is about the way that people can live their everyday lives at the same time as these huge astronomical things are happening. On the earth level — on the day-to-day basis — we’re here as the result of an enormously long process. But you don’t notice that… and why should you?

“I became very interested in how we coexist with two different worlds of thought: one of them being huge and lasting infinitely, and then one of them being like, ‘Oh! I have to get milk today because I’m out of milk.'” 

That’s a pretty drastic change from the concept of your last LP, Strange Land.
“Until the last three years I had never given much thought to the greater world, but I think it’s pretty interesting. I love studying astronomy and all of these things of such huge scale — i.e. the sun’s going to die and everything’s slowly drifting apart.”

Did the thematic aims of Cosmos‘ lyrics seep into your music writing process?
“Yeah! Musically, we were interested in the mix of intimate quiet stuff and big expansive sounds. We were much more interested in moving away from straight guitar rock or looping stuff. We explored a more atmospheric texture-thing with Cosmos.

“I would start with the first idea, write the basics, and then send it around over email for a long time. We’re all in Brooklyn, in slightly different neighborhoods, but at the early stages it’s easier to work on your own time than sit in a room where everyone trying ideas.”

Have you seen the new Cosmos hosted by Neil deGrasse Tyson?
“I’ve only seen the first 10 minutes! I really like it. It’s great that it’s up and on a network channel. I’ve gotta go watch the rest of it!”