Posted on August.19.2008
My Morning Jacket performs at Waterfront Park in Louisville, Ky. on Aug. 16. Photo by Jason Rudzinski, from mymorningjacket.com.
My Morning Jacket’s familiar presence at outdoor music festivals has placed the band in an elite class that includes bigger but equally jam-friendly acts like Dave Matthews Band and Widespread Panic. Of course, the Louisville, Ky., group doesn’t consider itself a jam band, but you’d never know it from the undulating crowds at American festivals such as Bonnaroo and various European gigs over the last few years.
The band returns to Red Rocks Amphitheatre on Thursday to headline — after opening for Bob Dylan there last summer. We caught up with drummer Patrick Callahan this week via e-mail as the band kicked off its latest tour in support of “Evil Urges” to talk about playing the storied Morrison venue, the slog of doing interviews and the music that’s been sustaining Callahan on the road lately.
Having played Red Rocks before, are you anticipating a different experience than the first time? Obviously you’re headlining so that changes things.
I anticipate a different experience with every show we play. Last time we were at Red Rocks, we had just finished up the writing portion of “Evil Urges,” and were really excited to play in front of people again. This time we have an album under our belt, a few shows in to a tour, and we’re sharing the stage with our friends, the Black Keys. Should be a good time!
Do you ever feel the effects of the altitude when you’re playing Colorado, or other high-altitude places? (Europe or Japan, maybe?)
I definitely feel the effects of altitude. The band lived an hour outside of Colorado Sprigs last year, and it took quite a while to get acclimated. Two hundred yards felt like two miles. If you see me hyperventilating on my drum riser, just hang tight and I’ll pull it together in time for the next song.
Now that the new album’s out and people have settled down with the critical stuff, do you find yourself getting into a rhythm of doing press?
I never really mind doing press, so the rhythm is pretty constant. And as far as the content is concerned, I’ve noticed a decline in uninformed journalists. It makes life so much easier when you don’t have to answer the same questions time and time again. Maybe people eventually found out that we have a bio.
What are you current favorite albums you’re listening to? What tends to keep you going on the road, musically?
My favorite albums as of the last few days are Yo La Tengo’s “Summer Sun,” Lil Wayne’s “Tha Carter III” and the Melvins’ “A Senile Animal.” I get tired of things pretty quickly, so the favorite albums are a constant rotation, and usually completely non-sensical in groupings (read the above list). I have my staples, but they too go by the wayside after a few listens.
Are openers the Black Keys friends of yours? I know you guys have played with lots of great Ohio bands before (like Guided by Voices and Swearing at Motorists — two of my favorites).
Yes, I’ve known Dan and Patrick for a few years now. Such great guys, and what a band! I’ve wanted to do something with them for a while, so it was a complete no-brainer when the opportunity for this show presented itself. If anything, it’ll just be good to see them. BUT, we get to play a show with them as well! It’s a good life….
