• News

• All

Aug 19, 2011 By Kyle Lemmon Blitzen Trapper

Blitzen Trapper‘s gnarled musical roots are so diverse and far-reaching that when they make a “back to their roots” album such as American Goldwing it’s not a retread of past glories. Instead, the Portland, Oregon quintet’s sixth album is another delightful tinkering with the dusty engine of Americana music. These Pacific Northwestern mechanics aren’t interested in admiring from afar. They get on their backs and give the old jalopy a much-needed overhaul. (It comes as no surprise to learn that singer/songwriter/guitarist Eric Earley’s father was a musician-cum-mechanic.)

As such, we took some time to talk with Earley in the wake of sustained critical adoration, various television performances, and touring like mad men. The Blitzen frontman opens up about an album where he surrendered a bit of his formerly strict creative control to mixer Tchad Blake and his co-producer Gregg William. Soak in conversations about family, hometowns, and Earley’s critique of George R. R. Martin’s A Song of Ice and Firefantasy series. Also, stick around for Earley’s track-by-track analysis of the ‘70s-leaning full-length. American Goldwing streets September 13 via Sub Pop.

Read the full interview here.

(www.blitzentrapper.net)