Music-critic.ca - Reviews worth Listening too

Stars of Track and Field INTERVIEW

Categories : Interviews, Music Reviews.

Music-critic’s Interview with the Stars of Track and Field By Danielle Suchet

When Jason Bell, guitarist for the electronic rock band Stars of Track and Field spoke to Music-Critic.ca in between practice sessions in the band’s hometown of Portland, Oregon, he was running late. His reason? Not the usual rock star excuse of sex, drugs and rock and roll… he was talking to his mom. It is just this kind of paradox that signifies SOTAF’s mix of organic rock and electronic pop.

When the group lost their bass player a year and a half ago, remaining members Bell, along with Kevin Calaba and Daniel Orvik adapted and created a fourth member by inserting computer generated bass. With a sound that alternates between solid techno pop and hushed crooning, the band has created a unique sound often described as “digital chemistry.” This sound has lead to numerous comparisons to bands like Radiohead and Coldplay, but Bell is uncomfortable with those comparisons.

“Jesus Christ. I guess I understand why we are compared to those bands. I don’t think those bands would say we sound like them,” Bell said.” I guess its better than being compared to Green Day though.”

So while comparisons may be off base, the inspiration is undeniable. Listing Radiohead as one of his earliest inspirations, Bell admits the reference may not be too far from the truth.

“Lyrically, when OK Computer came out it knocked me on my ass. It still affects my writing today.”

On a mini break from touring with the Twilight Singers, the group is now embarking on unchartered territory, in the form of making a music video. And while attempts at tackling the video concept themselves were entertaining, they have now passed the torch to an actual director.

“We tried to do it ourselves and we ended up making this super-fucking-long epic. It was ridiculous,” Bell says.

After their short break the group is going back on the road touring the U.S. and Canada. A trip Bell is ready to take again.

“Being on tour is like being in a carnival. There is all this crazy shit going on,” he says. Shit like band mate Calaba jumping off amps, smashing his face and getting egged by random “hillbillies” in Fresno.

The album’s title is an obvious reference to the war going on in the United States. But Bells says the band wanted to create a political message that was insightful rather than simply being didactic.

“We try not to write in a political manner and stand on a soapbox,” Bell says. Their soapbox comes in the form of thinly veiled lyrics on the track ‘Lullaby for a G.I.’ Lyrics like: “Stand down fall in line / Stand up / Too late to look away too late” and “Don’t close your eyes / you might fall asleep / don’t close your eyes you might fall to pieces.” Both clear examples of the group’s mentality towards the war being fought by their fellow citizens and their frustrations with the country and administration’s reactions.

Bell says the bands reaction to the war is a sentiment felt by many around him.

“Being American is not super easy at this point,” he says. “(the war) is a slow mass murder. If you don’t think it’s a fucking mistake at this point then you are a waste of a human being.”

With the new year and a new tour in sight as well as the release of their album on January 16, Bell hopes that the New Year brings validation to all the hard work they have put in over the years.

“I hope (the new year) brings lots of touring and I hope people like our record. I do care what people think unfortunately,” Bell said.

If recent positive reviews are any indication, Bell and the boys have nothing to worry about.