Sundazed
Records honcho Bob Irwin knows his jangle pop by heart so its
no wonder he signed new U.K. paisley poppers The See See, releasing
their first U.S. album Days, Nights & Late Morning Lights
in early 2014. Released on CD and Lp, the album compiles various
tracks and early singles and is a catchy, upbeat look at a band basking
in the glory of pop history while working and recording in the world
of 21st century retro-pop. Central to The See See is lead singer and
songwriter Richard Olson who comes following in the jingle-jangle
morning in these days of future passed. Certain tracks on Days,
Nights & Late Morning Lights sound influenced by any number
of legendary pop music iconsfrom Love and The Byrds to Strawberry
Alarm Clock and Buffalo Springfield. Of course Richard and his merry
band of players can only dream about just how cool it was growing
up in the 1950's and 1960s but they come pretty darn close on
a CD that brings the future up to date with a modern day reflection
of a classic time and a classic sound that continues to be classic.
Days, Nights & Late Morning Lights is a 21st century trip
down jangle-pop memory lane by a rising band well worth keeping your
eyes on. www.sundazed.com
mwe3.com presents an interview
with
Richard Olson of The See See
mwe3:
Where are you from originally and where do you live now and what do
you like best about it? What other cities and places do you like best?
Richard Olson: Hey. Were from all over the globe but
all met and live in London. Im originally from Sweden, Kevin
is from Detroit, Paulie is from New Zealand and Phil and Sam are from
the U.K.
Londons a pretty giving friend but pretty frustrating from time
to time too. Its pretty hard work just paying the rent here.
We love touring in Spain and Germany and a few of us just got back
from L.A. and we love that city and its surrounding areas.
mwe3: Whats the inside story on the making of the new
Days, Nights & Late Morning Lights album by The See See
and how did the album get picked up for release on CD and Lp by Sundazed
Records? What an honor that must have been and you must have really
impressed Bob Irwin!
Richard Olson: Days, Nights & Late Morning Lights
is a compilation comprising of songs from our first two albums and
a few rarities as well as a few new songs.
It was an idea to do a compilation when Bob Irwin got in touch and
said how much he liked our music. Since weve never had anything
officially out in the U.S. and were on a pretty small but great
label (DellOrso) in the U.K. we thought itd be a great
way to present ourselves to an extent to the U.S.
Were incredibly honored to have been approached by Bob and his
team and really proud to have made a record on Sundazed which of course
is one of our favorite labels.
mwe3: Whats the chemistry like with the members of The
See See and can you tell us whos in the band, and who plays
what and who sings and who wrote the music for the most part on the
record and in concert? Who else was involved in the production, recording,
mixing and mastering of the See See album and what did you think of
Sid Griffins liner notes? No one knows more than Sid about 60s
pop!
Richard
Olson: The See See is myself singing and playing rhythm mainly,
Sam on lead guitar, Kevin on bass, Phil on keys and Paulie on drums.
I write the majority of the tunes but they would never sound the way
they do if it wasnt for the input of the other guys, were
all on the same musical wavelength with the same musical references
with enough difference not to make it streamlined and still retain
a spark. I consider myself very lucky to play with such amazing musicians
and people.
As for recording we work with a few different people, namely Sean
Read who used to be in the Rockingbirds, Jimmy Robertson who is one
of the most talented producers Ive ever had the honor to work
with and Brian OShaugnessy of Bark studios whos done some
incredible records in his time. Namely Primal Scream & My Bloody
Valentines You Made Me Realize. Bob Irwin of Sundazed
mastered the record and really made it what it is,
Sid is a mate and a fan and a very cool guy to hang about with and
as you say incredibly knowledgeable. Again, really happy he offered
to write the liner notes.
mwe3: What instrument do you play and write music with and
whats your background in pop and rock music? Can you tell us
when you decided to become involved in music and the music world and
how did that lead to being a pop music composer?
Richard Olson: I mainly write on an acoustic. I came to the
guitar quite late and, even though I dont consider myself a
very good guitarist, I learnt to play in some sort of folk tradition
so I guess that shines through and is what I know best.
Ive been releasing records with different bands for quite a
long time but the one that influenced me the most was the band I was
in before The See See, called Eighteenth Day of May. It was a English
folk inspired combo in the vein of Fairport Convention. The time I
spent in that band taught me a lot.
As for getting into music, it was the normal teenage thing. The fact
that a song could make you feel something so intense physically and
in your soul was a revelation. Its a fix that you keep on chasing.
mwe3:
What era of music did you grow up in, when did you start playing and
writing and who were your biggest musical influences and some of your
favorite albums? Can we ask your age? Im 60 now so I was 14
when bought the Beatles white album back in November 1968!
Richard Olson: I was a teenager in the mid to late 90s
and even though the music that ruled the waves then surely influenced
me somehow it was always my friends, older siblings and my older friends
records that meant something to me.
So through them I got into bands like the Stone Roses and Spacemen
3 but then got guided down the path of what records those kind of
bands listened to. And an older friend of mine turned me on to Fairport,
Love, The Byrds, Big Star, the Chocolate Soup compilations, the Pebbles
comps, Dion, Tim Hardin, Dylan... ad infinitum.
I think everyone who feels that way about music wants to recreate
it themselves so I guess that how I started writing music.
The music that influences me is very vast. So much music gives me
that feeling and my favorite records are too many to mention but off
the top of my head today
Loves Forever Changes, The
Byrds, The Olivia Tremor Control, Lee Perry, Derrick May, Bob Dylan,
The Pretty Things...
mwe3: What do you like best about the 21st century music world
including the world of the internet and instant global communication
and its impact on the music world? It seems so much easier now than
it did 30 years ago! (for better or worse) wouldnt you think?
Richard
Olson: Well, for better and for worse yes. Its a true revolution
what has happened in music even just over the last 10 years and it
is mostly great. How simple it is to record, release and interact
with audiences and bands alike is incredible.
At the same time its harder than ever to make a living out of
music and since the process is so simplified theres a lot of
rubbish coming out. Since its so decentralized its also
very hard to reach out further but much easier to find your thing
and what you like.
mwe3: What plans do you have for The See See as far as getting
the word out about this album, then writing new music, recording and
live concerts in 2014 and into 2015? What else is getting you excited
about the future?
Richard Olson: Weve already have the 3rd record ready
to go, called Once, Forever & Again. Were just waiting
for details regarding the release date, probably September or October.
Were taking it easy on the gig front till then but will be doing
some U.K. touring for the record and hopefully Spain and even more
hopefully, the U.S.
In the meantime I will be concentrating on this side project a few
of has called the Hanging Stars. Cheers!
Thanks
to Richard Olson and The See See and Sundazed