Christofer Drew Can Do Anything

This is the picture of Julie's boy friend Joe, Me, Chris and Julie. Good Day!

On the bus home from class, my Zune was like “You want to listen to this 12 minute long interview with Christofer Drew.” And although I wasn’t in the mood for talking, I gave in and it was actually really interesting.

Drew is even more talented than I first thought. The interview was included on Melody, what Drew describes as a “Deluxe Digital Collection”, a three track treat that was put out before the release of his new full length album Harmony.

The interview was conducted in studio by Butch Vig the producer of Harmony, Garbage drummer and producer of one of my personal favorite albums Nirvana’s Nevermind.

In the interview Drew talks about how Harmony is coming together and what he thinks it will  mean to the fans.

“This last record it just kinda hit me. I kinda figured out what my fans want from me,” said Drew. “I wanna give that to them but at the same time I wanna keep growing and not limit myself to that. I just wanted to capture the sound that they want and say what I wanted to say.”

When I first listened to Harmony, I didn’t give two thoughts to how it was made or the instruments Drew used on it. In the interview he talks in detail about how he plays the piano on the record even though he had never considered himself good at it.

“I’m not the best piano player but whenever I’m under the pressure,” said Drew, “Somehow this intuition comes out and I can play. The pressure helps me.” He also plays the organ on the album even though he had never played it before.

Among his influences are Bob Dylan, The Beatles, and the Beach Boys. These have never been more evident than on the new album. It’s classic and pure at heart. It really does feel like he has found the greatest balance between what he wants to say and the music he sets it to.

I have been a fan of Never Shout Never since 2008 when my best friend and roommate played his EPs over and over. The funny thing is that I always had to ask, “Who is this again??” Now I can’t get his songs out of my head.

I am extremely affected by his music and that effect depends on the day. Some days I can be perfectly fine, turn on a NSN song and have to stop listening  because tears are in my eyes. It’s kinda like it’s soooo good that it hurts and I just can’t take it. Then there are other days when I play one of his songs and life gets a little less hard. I cannot put my finger on what it is about his music that has such opposite and intense effects on me, but I like it.

I have seen NSN in concert once and at Warped Tour once. Both were some of the greatest experiences in my musical life (minus getting spit on at Warped Tour).

I learned timing really is everything when my best friend and I arrived late to a NSN concert and who was walking towards us but Christofer himself. After an internal “Is that him. That’s him. No that’s not him” battle, he nonchalantly said hi and I professed my love for his music and asked for a picture. This is the convo that followed.

“Yes, but you have to promise me you will do something for me,” Drew said.

“Ok. What do you want?” I said

“I want you to promise me that you will tell all the people in that line,” said Drew, pointing at the long line of people waiting to get into the concert, “That I love them all.”

“Will do,” I said.

“You are the only people that I have taken a picture with,” Drew said. “You guys are really something special. Also I like that,” Drew said, in reference to the bag I was carrying which featured the late Nirvana front man Kurt Cobain.

We hugged and said our goodbyes and as I walked over to the crowd that was now gawking at my friend and I and said,  “Christofer wants you to know that he loves every single one of you.”

Which was answered by a bunch of fan girls screaming, “I’m so jealous.”

I just thought it should be known that even if all the little girls are screaming for his cute face, there is a very talented man behind the coon-skin cap, the hair and the sweet smile. Also, he smells good.

The Limousines- Get Sharp

I believe it is safe to say that I am in love. In love with yet another band and another album.

The Limousines have been on my radar since a camping trip last summer when I first heard “Very Busy People.” The song is a perfect explanation of how lazy and lax the long days of summer should be.

Since then I had been patiently awaiting a full length album. I checked and checked everyday, but nothing. And then about a month ago I stumbled upon “Get Sharp.” Turns out it was released in July two days after my birthday and I never knew.

But now that I am the proud owner of this wonderful collection of music, I can’t stop listening. I blame it on a number of aspects. First Eric Victorino’s voice is both raw and inviting, he has a way with the delivery of each line that in some songs, like “Dancing at Her Funeral”, is emotional and sweet in an unconventional way. But in other songs, like “Swrdswllngwhr (Wishing Well)”, Victorino’s voice is raw and unemotional which leaves the listener feeling dirty and unattached.

Another reason I can’t stop listening is the mastermind instrumentals. Each track is like entering a new universe where the lyrics and the instruments are completely in sync with each other. It has been a long time since I’ve discovered something so beautifully crafted.

I have not forgotten the most important part: the lyrics. Each song has been carefully crafted with lines that not only sound good but make you think. Such is the case with the title track “Get Sharp”, a song about feeling the push to be the generic working man. The lyrics read,  “I’ll get a hair cut. Buy a cheap suit. I’ll chase a pay stub. Guess that’s what I gotta do. Go try and get hired at a 9-to-5 behind a desk in a high-rise filing cabinet in the sky,” and the instrumentals are fast paced and push the listener through the song.

All of these aspects make me wish I could listen to the whole album at once, which I am sure would create an audio mess but I can never decide which song to listen to. I also do not believe I will ever get sick of this work of musical genius.

The Limousines have really created something special with Get Sharp. Now I will go back to patiently awaiting the next work of art from this underrated band.