Desert skies, lost souls, summer girls and cocktails
Q and A with J.S. Meiggs of Sunday Smoke Kit
Interview by Larry Leimhelm, Hampton Roads music writer
LL: How has the sound of the Smoke Kit evolved since
the last full length record "Uncertain Smiles"?
JSM:
Well, "Uncertain Smiles" was a collection of outtakes from previous recording
sessions. The "smoke kit" machine itself has diverged almost entirely from
the straightforward pop song. Stylistically, the smoke kit is now more centered
around exploring and promoting man's spiritual journeys. I know that sounds
really pretentious, but it's really a primal concept that is relevant to
all of humanity. After all, each and every one of us whether or not, we
are actively pursuing a greater consciousness have to exist in this imperfect
world. We all have to live with ourselves and that isn't always easy to
do. Anyway, that's where the songs have been coming from for the last year
or so.
LL: Has the new line-up helped the evolution of the overall band sound?
Speaking of new line up, who actually is the kit nowadays?
JSM: Well I guess the new lineup has helped the evolution of the band. It's
always hard to say something like that until a time has passed. Neil-drums,
Dan-guitar, Mark-bass, and me.
LL: I've also been keeping up with your involvement in some of the other
Planting Seeds Records releases, most notably with Xavier Pelleuf. Has working
with XP changed your view or style with your own band?
JSM: Well no, but it has influenced me to do things I like with the smoke
kit. Still, it never measures up to what I really want to do.
LL: We notice you write the occasional pop song ("The Splendor of Jade",
"Strange Humiliation"), that resembles earlier smoke kit songs. On the same
note, we hear anthems in tracks like "The Way You wonder" along with countrified
melodies in "Purple Sage and Golden Bonsai," do you plan on concentrating
on one particular style or continue to mix it around?
JSM:
Well, I definitely don't feel inclined to limit myself to a certain style,
but at the same time I don't know how inclined I am to write a pop song
anymore. Frankly, I've really come to believe that I'm not meant to write
pop songs anyway. I shouldn't say that I'll never write another pop song,
because things change so fast in this world that six months down the road
I may be a completely different person than who I am at the moment. So for
future songs we will have to wait and see.
LL: As far as the press, a lot of positive things have been said about
the bands last three releases (1998's "The Hardest Things Are Often The
Simplest To Unwind," 1999's "Summer Dress," and 2000's "Uncertain Smiles")
. Do you think the Lo-Fi production of the first recordings hindered the
press' perspective of what the actual concept of the songs and LP's were?
JSM: Maybe the production quality hindered the press's perspective a little,
but overall I think those recordings were doomed from the beginning. There
was a lot of half-hearted ness on the part of some people who were involved
with those early records, so the early stuff was always doomed in a sense.
Honestly, I can't really listen to those records anymore, because I don't
really relate anymore to the person who wrote those songs.
LL: Another aspect of the band we've seen lately is the groups live performances.
If I'm not mistaken, the latest shows are the first since 1999 when we saw
the band with your then bass player William Hickey. How are the performances
so far? Are you satisfied with the sound that is coming out at present?
We are also curious to know if you will be performing any of the tracks
from the first three LPs?
JSM: Well no we don't really play anything from the first LP's at least
not regularly anyway. Am I satisfied with the sound? No, but then again
I doubt I'll ever be satisfied.
LL: The band has picked up a little steam since its beginnings in 1997,
a little exposure via MP3.com, Garageband.com and on indie radio. Do you
plan on taking the kit on the road to promote the new releases that will
be hitting the shelves in the next few months/years?
JSM:Hopefully there will be some road dates and possibly a short film. Lets
keep our fingers crossed!
LL: We also hear there's plans for you (Sunday Smoke Kit) to play a few
shows in the UK this winter. Is there any truth to that?
JSM: Well I'll be returning to Europe at the end of the year. So it seems
that there is a good possibility for some European shows. Europe has always
embraced the smoke kit more than America anyway.
LL: As far as past members, what was the official reason Mimo Santos
left the band? Do you think he ever put his band The Big Blue Marble together?
I'm interested in hearing it if he has...
JSM:
I'm not sure what is inside of Mimo's head, but he evidently decided there
were other projects he wanted to pursue. I don't know anything about Big
Blue Marble.
LL: Getting back to the current status of Sunday Smoke Kit, What can
we realistically expect from the band for the remainder of this year (2001)?
JSM: Hopefully we will keep making music that some people like.
LL: Well Mr. Meiggs, it was great speaking with you, its been quite awhile
- I suppose the next time we chat we will be talking about the new Sunday
Smoke Kit full length. Lets keep in touch...
Visit the Sunday Smoke Kit: www.plantingseedsrecords.com/ssk
. The band has also just released their new limited run EP "Passing Shooting
Stars." Pick up a copy online at the catalogue page. Larry Leimhelm
has been writing about pop music in the Hampton Roads, VA area for the last
15 years. He has worked with Green Eye Records as well as Pastel Studios.
Photography by Neil DelParto and Steve Frank
