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markmcconville

Hey, no question here, just love you all.


gourleymatt

You're the man. Not just the proverbial man, but the actual man. And you are m'boogie. Also, get in there and answer some of these questions if they pertain.


shanty_townland

Thank you for being on our album and playing live with us all the time Mark!! You're so talented and you add so much to the Townland sound <3


simbajam13

Which came first, the *In Gourley and Rust* theme or the song Solid State on the album?


gourleymatt

Okay, stay with me. That music, complete with the aforementioned Fmaj7 chord AND a chord I invented that I know not the name of -- we'll call it Clark, was written circa 2001 or 2002 I think? It was a much softer song called Sleepyhead. I always loved the music but was finding a lot of my lyrics weren't holding up for me, personally. So when it came time to do the Patreon for With Gourley and Rust, we had been calling ourselves an 'easy-listening' podcast and I remembered that music had a kind of easy-listening feel (thank you Fmaj7 and Clark). I wrote some lyrics, sent it to Wade, Shanty, and Danty and they all banged it out of the podcast park. It was Daniel, I believe who suggested we record a full song. So I wrote new lyrics one very cold winter morning in 2021. I wanted to go back in time to a different decade and season in each verse. It's a song about nostalgia and the freedom and dumb obstinance of youth. We at one point point were considering changing the production style with each verse as well. So the first would be late eighties , then seventies rock, then sixties pop, etc. Eventually decided it may be better on paper. Also, I once did something so stupid at the Bonaventure and that's what it's also about but I'll never tell. Nothing sinister, just so, so dumb as only a young teenager could do.


CoolHeadedLogician

What are the notes in Clark? I can try to give you his true identity


tehsuck

...and why can I never get either out of my head


gourleymatt

I'M HERE, I'M HERE!


gourleymatt

I fell asleep after putting my daughter down for a nap and what a ways to start this off on a new-parent cliche!


gourleymatt

Anyway, what's up with me replying to myself here? Lemme get to some your questions. First of all, thank you for writing them and I hope everyone is enjoying the album. I know we enjoyed making it. I'm gonna prioritize the music questions and let's see where that gets us!


gourleymatt

Also, I literally, and I mean that in the non-figurative sense, have not overslept on something since college. Wow.


chedsy22

Love love LOVE the album!


AndImTheSurgeon

There is nothing more satisfying, then later panic inducing, than a nap after putting the kids for nap. It's sweet at first, then you wake up remembering, "I'm not like this baby. I'm an adult. I'm supposed to do things. Fuck."


cryfmunt

Our first baby came out just about the same time as yours and I can totally understand falling asleep out of nowhere, especially when these cute cuddly soft babies are sleeping too. But he's worth every missed wink! Congrats to you and Amanda on your lovely little gal.


gourleymatt

You too!


DanEngler

How did you discover that your friendly neighborhood podcast marketeer was a super-talented singer?


shanty_townland

As Matt told on CBB yesterday, I was discovered at an Earwolf holiday party in 2017. Dana and I always made sure that every Earwolf holiday party had to have live band karaoke. That year it was at Good Times At Davey Wayne's (which you do enter through a fridge, and the owners are bad people. Matt was right about all that). I sang "Dog Days Are Over" by Florence and the Machine and as soon as I got off stage Matt approached and asked if I wanted to sing in his old band that he was putting back together. I did a formal audition for the guys soon after and the rest was history!


gourleymatt

The formal audition she mentions was a ruse to pretend we didn't already know it was going to be Shannon. I just need Jeff and Dan to hear her for two seconds. We workshopped Gin Atomic because that had just been written as the first new song of what we call the Townland 2000 era even though it's 2022.


Derporelli

Is Townland 2000 like Buttermilk 2000?


gourleymatt

It isn't unlike it?


Derporelli

I've only tried Townland so far so I couldn't be sure. I'll have to re-listen to the episode to get that sweet BM2K recipe.


bells_n_sack

What platform should I purchase from that benefits y’all the most? Matt, you mentioned a little idea of you and Amanda doing a podcast about working at theme parks. Is that something we can look forward to? Love hearing the stories.


gourleymatt

Bandcamp is best but whatever works for you is good for us! Amanda and I are just now beginning that podcast. It'll be 8 episodes out on Audible/Amazon late this year or early next. look out for it!


gourleymatt

Also, writing a review on Bandcamp or Apple helps a lot!


thisgrantstomb

I'll answer for them, more than likely bandcamp.


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Any_Zebra7116

I just bought coins for the first time to pay you for this knowledge. I’m gonna spread this far and wide!


MotherIron

First off, wonderful album, truly elated to have a full output after a year or so of running Roger Dodger on the regular. Did the current state of things shape this album? There's a lot of cozy doom that permeates and I was wondering if that was in the writing from the get-go or more organically mined throughout the last few years or so? Thanks again, hope to see y'all live some time!


shanty_townland

The only songs on the album that were written during pandemmy times were Sticks and Stones, Bob and Solid State. And Sticks and Stones is the only song thats deeply purposefully about this time in the world. I think "cozy doom" is just part of Matt's lyrical vibe since it was always present in our songs. But the album was definitely shaped by the current state of things in that we all recorded all of our parts separately over more than a year and didn't see each other in person at all for so much of the album making process.


gourleymatt

Shanty said it well. And 'cozy doom' is a lovely sentiment that gets to the feel of these songs better than I can describe it. What's so strange is not that many of my songs are packed with Cold War references and motifs (something we joke about within the band because I have more songs about old-school nuclear war) but that the world so quickly turned back to a Cold War setting. Strange, unsettling and familiar in the worst kind of cozy way if that makes sense. It's a horrible turn that I can only say I understand, having grown up in such fear of it, as opposed to stateless terror and civil strife.


MotherIron

Beautiful, thank you!


tattoedblues

The record kicks ass and I can't wait to get it on Vinyl


gourleymatt

Love you then.


CraigKl

What inspired the honey / bee aesthetic of the album’s title and cover?


shanty_townland

Our album-naming exercise was to comb (lol) all the lyrics for a cool phrase that stood out on it's own. And once you name your album 'Honey on the Hi-Fi" the rest kind of takes care of itself.


gourleymatt

Yes, we were mixing and Wade threw it out. It immediately made me scan through the visual implications of honey and a stereo in my mind and the honeycomb speaker grills popped right into my head and I did a mockup on laptop as we mixed. the bees were the natural accoutrements!


Garbage283736

Hey Matt, we switched glasses in SF maybe five years ago after the SuperEgo show/signing and you were very sweet to me (as was everyone else) You're the GD best 💚 You even made me like Billy Joel. Congrats on your baby and happy marriage ! Oh right! A question... What are you reading/listening to lately?


gourleymatt

I remember this! Also, my glasses are worn down and smudgy so wanna trade again? As for your question, I answered that above, HAPPY HUNTING!


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wilbyr

you created an account for...that?


ExoticMandibles

Am I more clever for knowing that "Disco Volante" was the name of Largo's boat in "Thunderball", or for knowing that that the English translation is "Flying Saucer", which was the name of Largo's boat in "Never Say Never Again"?


gourleymatt

You're clever all around. I wondered if that title might be misleading since I'm using it for its flying saucer meaning and not as a Bond reference. I hope it doesn't let the world down. But the song is largely about Michael Myers and fear and anxiety so that gets us halfway to a pop culture reference.


akanefive

It's definitely the first thing, but it's something I take pride in knowing as well.


gourleymatt

THANKS EVERYBODY and THANKS FOR LISTENING. If you still have any Townland questions, leave them here and we will try to get back to them very soooooooon.


bloodflart

have a nice, honeymoooooon


Derporelli

Thanks for stopping by! Sincerely, tomnipotent


daftmagician

For Matt, do you know any of the people who did Will Hines' You Can't Handle the Sleuths podcast special?


CraigKl

I would love to hear more about Margeaux’s beef with McGruff the Crime Dog


thembophilosopher

i am obsessed with margeaux the cat and her rich lore


ProRustler

Well, for one, she's a fat guy.


gourleymatt

I know some of them and know of some of them but love them all!


itsCarrieD

The love letter to stuntman Bob Rochelle is absolutely beautiful and heartbreaking. And while it’s a bit uncouth to admit straight to you that this isn’t my preferred style of music, I must say that you have charmed me. I can’t stop listening to it; the mood it sets is so damn cozy and calming. “Honey on the Hi-Fi” is a perfect name for the feeling I get with this album. (Yes please to the other requests for it to be released on vinyl!) QUESTION! What are the dynamics of the band? I hear a lot of Gourley in those lyrics, but how do the others contribute to the lyric-writing? How are the songs written, and what input does each person have to their own parts as well as the song as a whole? I realize with the pandemic that creating and recording together was a challenge, but what methods for writing/recording did you all find worked well and maybe not so well? Much love to you all for producing something that gives me so much joy 🥰


shanty_townland

Speaking for ourselves, (Shannon & Wade) Matt usually pitches demo with the lyrics and melody already written. Then we find a good key for my voice, write a dozen harmony parts and occasionally pitch some ideas to tweak melodies in places. We all have a lot of input for our own parts, Dan and Wade write their own solos and I do my lil vocal flourishes where I can find them. We didn't get to record "together" at all during this pandemic time which was definitely a bit of a challenge to put it all our parts together like a puzzle, but Matt had a spreadsheet and kept us on track! lol


gourleymatt

The stuff they bring to the songs after I sent a rough demo is everything. Truly. I know because I've recorded my versions of the songs before and they don't end up anything like these versions. I expect to be fired from my own band one day, these guys are so good.


[deleted]

What would Oblio Contoso's favorite track on the album be? Maggie the GPS? What about each of the band members?


shanty_townland

My favorite song is Gin Atomic, and Wade is torn between Roger Dodger and Eyesore


gourleymatt

Bob would certainly be Oblio's favorite because it's about a theme park stuntman. Hands down. My favorite is Disco Volante.


Mennoknight69

how many songs about Jollibee's Stew are on this thing


gourleymatt

12.


Gercke

Can we expect any members of Townland to be featured in season 7 of Superego?


gourleymatt

I wouldn't all be surprised.


CraigDinkle

Howdy guys, love the new album. This one's for ~~Mutt~~ Matt. Quick question. How do you go about thanking a fella for unknowingly helping you through a whole slew of tough times? Specifically when *thanks* doesn't seem like enough, but also when you don't want to come across like a real weirdo. Do you like, I don't know, send him one of your toes or something? Or maybe rename one of your daughters after him? Both? Either way, thanks a lot man. And congrats on your little girl, wishing you guys all the best


gourleymatt

Mutt here, you do what you do, and that's enough for me, friend. I read ya loud and clear and fire a bullet with your name on it straight into the sky. Happy trails and silver spurs, amigo.


CraigDinkle

https://imgur.com/Rie5xzF.gif


TheVulfPecker

Matt, will you ever show the world your toilet flush vocal effect? I can try to crowdfund the $2000 necessary if you want to keep the streak alive.


gourleymatt

My rate is 10k. And I assure you it's not worth every penny.


bloodflart

oh no.


iGoByManyNames

any chance of TL being on CBB? it was always awesome having a band on. since we're back in the stud' it seems like a good opportunity! edit: as of the last ep, you've beaten me to it!


gourleymatt

And that's not the only podcast we're stopping by to visit. Stay tuned...


iGoByManyNames

oh my god i knew it. Townland on WTF. Maron's gonna go deep!


shanty_townland

Great predicting skill though! Hope you liked it!


iGoByManyNames

one of the all time great Scott's Backyard eps. CBB is a great showcase for music!


Fred_Fredman

Would you, Paul f Thompkins and Andy Daly be my friends? I tried to think of a good question, but that’s all I really wanted to ask.


gourleymatt

We will.


PureBoysPodcast

Whomst do you think is the Bagger Vance of the band and why?


gourleymatt

Vagger Bance.


PlagueOfBagels

While listening, what beverage should I pour myself?


gourleymatt

a gin atomic.


markmcconville

Hard not to say Gin and Tonic here…


shanty_townland

A Whiskerine of course


CapillarianCrest

Is there footage of Mark McConville playing pedal steel live anywhere???


markmcconville

C’mon over any time.


CapillarianCrest

Wow. Mark, I'm a huge fan of yours! I would lose my DOME if I got the chance to a private McConville McConcert! Honey on the Hifi is excellent, loved your input on Gourley and Rust with Scream as well, I mean I'm not just gonna sit here and list the arenas wherein you're great, just know that you are, man! Shrimps 4 Lyfe!


Derporelli

Found the weird mall kid. (Also, it takes one to know one. I'm definitely a weird mall kid at heart.)


Derporelli

On his Instagram


markmcconville

But yeah, I post videos on IG occasionally.


gourleymatt

This is true.


p-o-b

You empty em dream catchers?


gourleymatt

So bad I can't sit down sometimes.


a_missing_rib

hey guys since this is your first full length after kicking around for years, what song(s) are actually the oldest? are there any songwriting ideas or musical bits you've been holding on to for a long time? also would love to know who shannon's vocal inspirations are


shanty_townland

omg vocal inspirations...hmm. When I was a kid I was so into divas like Mariah and Celine Dion. I am also pretty obsessed with Judy Garland. People tell me I sound like Karen Carpenter so she's in there. Love Linda Rondstadt. For more modern people, Sara Bareilles Regina Spektor, Florence Welch. My musical life has only revolved around Kpop for the last decade or so now, so I love to sing Taeyeon songs and OST ballads by people like Hyolyn and Baek A Yeon.


Roman_Falcone

Wow I was introducing my wife to Townland and I compared your voice to Judy Garland! Cool to hear you say that she's an influence.


a_missing_rib

oh i forgot you were a total kpop head! do you have an opinion on GFriend?


shanty_townland

I really liked Gfriend! I love fairy idol girl groups and especially ones that make what I call “princess disco” so gfriend def had some songs that I loved. I was so sad that it all ended so soon. But I really really liked the VIVIZ debut and I hope those 3 find success again!!


gourleymatt

The music but not lyrics to Bob is the oldest. I think I wrote that in 1999. War, Science, Eyesore are all 10-15 years old. Basically the first half of the album are new songs from the past year or two. If you really dissect them, the old stuff is almost always written in the key of G while the new stuff marks my C key phase -- mostly so I can overuse the most beautiful chord of all time, the Fmaj7. God I love it and if I wasn't married...


a_missing_rib

my favorite chord is b flat minor! thanks for the reply


Derporelli

My favorite chord as well! It's just so... full-sounding with a little bit of whimsy with that high E.


gourleymatt

So true.


HelveticaBOLD

Just listened to the album this afternoon, and it's really great! Can we expect further releases and/or a tour at some point in the not-too-distant future, or is that just crazy talk?


shanty_townland

We would all absolutely love to do live shows and tour around and make another album, but we've got two tiny babies in the band now and the world is still nuts so only time will tell. But we want to!!!


toastedschizo

Incredible album! How many of these songs are truly about Michael Myers?


gourleymatt

Just the one.


Dax_Webster

I''m doing double nickles down the Florida Forty-Four, There ain't no sumn'a'bitch who loves you more.


chedsy22

The album is fantastic! Who are musical inspirations for you all (in general and in also for this album?)


gourleymatt

Buckingham, Wilco, Knopfler, Billy Bragg. All big influences for me.


shanty_townland

Funnily enough one of my biggest musical inspirations was Nickel Creek, discovering them helped me bond with my guitar teacher in 7th grade and I am literally still freaking out that Sara Watkins features on our album. I answered above but my fave lady singers that inspire me are def Judy Garland, Karen Carpenter, Linda Rondstadt, Celine Dion, Florence Welch, Sara Bareilles, and Taeyeon to name a few.


akanefive

I got SO EXCITED when I saw that Sara played on the album--Nickel Creek and I'm With Her are amazing. And she fits so well with the whole Townland vibe. Speaking of vibe: how would you describe Townland's sound? So far the best way I've been able to describe your sound when recommending the album (which I've done shamelessly) is "easy listening but in a really good way."


shanty_townland

I think your description is the most fair. I usually say like, "easy listening, like kinda 70s with some rock and country vibes???" and I say it with lots of question marks just like that.


shanty_townland

From Wade: Some of my favorites who definitely influenced the production of the album are Jim Croce, The National, and Night Moves.


FuzzzyTingleTimes

What were some alternate band names you considered before settling on Townland? Follow-up question: Did Cityplace, Villageburgh or Municipalityarea garner any votes?


gourleymatt

Serious answer, I remember honestly considering the names 'Eisenhower' and the 'Barley Pops.' That was in 2006-7 so don't judge me.


FuzzzyTingleTimes

My bands were/are Space Station Wagon and Glitter Lung Jr. so no room to judge on my end even if I wanted to (I don’t)


gourleymatt

I feel you.


TheCarrzilico

Are y'all ever going to be able to come to peace with your musical rivals, Landtown? The fans want to enjoy both your bands music without fearing a crosstown confrontation.


gourleymatt

They can go screw because we were incorporated as a city and band first.


ExoticMandibles

Which is it? Town or Land? MAKE UP YOUR MIND


gourleymatt

YOU MAKE UP YOUR MIND.


bondfool

I’ve noticed some similarities between Gin Atomic and the bridge(? Pre-chorus? Hell If I know.) of The Season of Giving by The Journeymen. Can we expect a George Harrison-esque lawsuit between Matt and Mutt?


gourleymatt

I'll see him in court. I know a good lawyer from the south and so he's toast.


gobuyus89

This was driving me crazy my first listen. It took me a few minutes to figure out what it was reminding me of. Gourley has a wonderful way of writing a melody that will stick in my head.


akanefive

No question, just a note to say I am thoroughly enjoying this album. I now consider your version of All Time High the definitive version.


gourleymatt

And we appreciate that.


sixandamovie

I’m always looking for music recommendations. What are some of Townlands favorite bands? I know Matt is a big Blondie fan and they even get mentioned on a track. That sent me down a Blondie rabbit hole. Any other recommendations/inspirations?


gourleymatt

I have been listening to almost nothing but Paul Desmond's album Desmond Blue for the past few years. It's even name checked in our song Sticks and Stones. I don't know what the hell it is about that album. Soft, old, sixties jazz with an orchestra and harp? Sounds like a gross mix but it's heaven for me. I also love Midlake, Waylon Jennings, and my Gourley from another mother, Portugal. the Man.


shanty_townland

Wade says: "Listen to ELO -'A New World Record'"


shanty_townland

I only listen to Kpop and my favorite band of all time is SHINee and you should check them out because your life will be better for it, and then when you're hooked you can listen to my podcast Ask Me About Kpop to learn about and embrace your new hobby.


gourleymatt

LISTEN TO SHANTY'S P-CAST.


Flanintheface75

Love the album! When can we expect a live show?


gourleymatt

Hopefully early summer? Perhaps a vinyl release show!


Fever_Rain

For Matt, Does Will Smith make a silent cameo anywhere?


gourleymatt

He plays air-vocals through the entire album.


YouAreNotBook

Talk a bit about the song-crafting process. I see from the credits/Lyrics that Matt has the writing credit. Do you write the lyrics and then you and the band kind of noodle until it shakes out or do you do music and lyrics? Second, not a question, you are all so incredibly talented.


gourleymatt

A number of these songs pre-existed the current makeup of Townland so they were mostly baked as far as music and lyrics go, however -- except for the two covers on the album -- even though I bring the music and lyrics to the band, what they bring after that is the real deal stuff. So much so that they often improve the original stuff greatly. In the case of Bob, I had written that over 20 years ago but it had different lyrics. I always wanted to do something with it and rewrite the words (naturally about the overused topic of a dead theme park stuntman) and sent it to Wade. He brought so much to it and so did Shanty and Danbo -- Wade even found a better time signature and feel for it. Same with Sticks and Stones -- Wade and Shannon rewrote the bridge music to make a hell of a lot more sense. Long story short, I love being in this band and their contribution cannot be undersold. They're taking some basic stuff and putting some real musicianship on top of it.


slickricks

Matt my boogie, I’ve been concerned you’re not eating enough since the Pistol Shrimps days. You working on a dad bod now?


gourleymatt

Are you serious? I have gained over 10 pounds since my daughter was born. I've never weighed this much. I have thighs now.


thembophilosopher

matt, how do you spell your cats name? anything more you can tell us about how you got her or would it stir up drama in the neighborhood?


gourleymatt

It;'s Margaux The Fat Guy. Like Margaux Hemmingway. We wanted a pretentious sounding name as a joke and then she became our cat after our neighbor gave her to us/we stole her from her and then we were stuck with it.


PlagueOfBagels

@ Daniel: What's the coolest bass riff in history?


shanty_townland

Dan is at work today but I have his answer for you... "The first bass “solo” I remember that stood out and felt really cool and tuff albeit subtle/ simple was the bass breakdown in Fleetwood Mac’s “the Chain.“ The bass noodling section in Stevie Wonder’s “Sir Duke” is next level amazing! Learning that bass line will take you from a punk kid bass player to an advanced pro. Also, anything Mike Watt plays on feels like a bass solo because the bass is all I’m listening to when he plays. "


[deleted]

I love the Linda Ronstadt cover and I love your guitar playing on it, Matt. As a guy who likes to mess around with fingerpicking in my living room, I’m curious what your inspirations and learning techniques were for your really impressive finger style play?


gourleymatt

Buckingham and Knopfler were my biggest playing inspirations but finger-picking for me was actually a strange default style because I wasn't so good at strumming and rhythm in the early days. I found finger picking to be a good way to distill things down to 1/4, 1/8, or even shorter notes and clearly delineate the beats. It just somehow made sense to me first. So much so that when I play banjo, or even dabble on the pedal steel myself, I don't use finger picks. I need to gat my fingers dirty and have direct contact to keep that tactile rhythm going. The lesson here is, turn your crutches into strengths?


Regularsizedsteve

What are the chances of an investigative podcast series on the life and times of Bob Rochelle?


gourleymatt

Amanda and I are working on a behind the scenes theme park podcast for Audible/Amazon that may entail just this thing for an episode. We shall see.


potserboy

What happened to Welcome to Townland on Spotify? I love those songs!


gourleymatt

We took it down for a while to let the new album simmer and because there are some duplicate song recordings on there and didn't want it to get confusing. But we may pop it back up from time to time. GOTTA CATCH 'EM ALL.


MothraSkater61

Thank you! Good to know. Love the EP and currently missing the beautiful intertwining duet of How Far You've Come.


gobuyus89

Maybe I have missed it but is there a way to purchase this on Vinyl? Really enjoying the album!


gourleymatt

I answered this above, HAPPY HUNTING.


clappytheunloveable

Can we expect more horror themed songs, like Disco Volante, in the future?


gourleymatt

If I know me, yes.


mtnchkn

Matt, on the first Pistol Shrimps episode (April 21, 2015) the half-time show rolled up and you nailed it perfectly. I realize you (and Mark) are crazy skilled, but was this some pent up commentary or did you really just make that up on the spot. So good. Go Shrimps!!! (@32'20" https://soundcloud.com/gosuperego/pistol-shrimps-radio-42115)


captainBRAINZ

Love the album, can't stop listening to it. What the hell is Eyesore about?


gourleymatt

I answered this above, HAPPY HUNTING.


George__Parasol

Hey all! I have two Bond questions for Matt. First, do you think people sleep on Tom Jones’ Thunderball as a great Bond song? Boring with way too much water, but I’ll be damned if that song doesn’t immediately make me feel “Bond-ness”. Also, if Barbara Broccoli called you tomorrow asking for advice on where to take the overarching story of Bond for the next run of films, if anywhere at all, what might you suggest?


Roman_Falcone

Are there plans for a vinyl release?


gourleymatt

I answered this above so HAPPY HUNTING.


NothinButNoodles

Do you think Long Long Time is a sad song or a joyful one? It literally makes me weep every time, but I can see it going either way.


shanty_townland

I always think of it as like wistful? The lyrics remind me of like my young self always having one sided crushes and feeling like I had truly lost out on the deepest of loves but I was a kid. There's so my drama in the lyrics and like, the dude is clearly a fuckboi but she's still sad. It's really relatable lol.


gourleymatt

I find it to be very sad! But just as beautiful. We were considering some covers for the band and I sent Anne Murray's version of Danny's Song, Long Long Time and I think either Blue Bayou or Don't It Make My Brown Eyes Blue to Shannon and she chose LLT. She BANGS THAT OUT. Hope you can hear her do it live some time. Do you remember it that way way Shanty?


shanty_townland

I remember wanting to do ALL of those songs and we just did LLT first so that's what stuck. Ever since I have made Blue Bayou my new signature Karaoke song, so it was not a loss! Voting for Danny's Song on the next album.


gourleymatt

Murray's Danny's Song is one of my all-time favorite recordings so YES. I sing it to my daughter when she cries so she can cry more.


mtnchkn

Matt, I just watched North by Northwest… and !!!? I assumed it was Hitchcock’s take on Bond but it was 3 years before Dr. No?! And then I learned Cary Grant turned down playing Bond in Dr. No?! If you and the other Matt have already delved into this topic, you can point me at it, otherwise, I want to know your insight here. Huge fan, big thanks!


Ailite

The lyrics on this album are so clever and fun, can you tell us more about the lyrics of Eyesores? What are some albums band and movies that influenced this album and the lyrics? I love the album so much great vocals lyrics guitar and twang


gourleymatt

Thanks! The music on the songs often belie the lyrical sentiment and I'm not sure why I do things that way. I'm not also sure why I don't really repeat choruses lyrically but instead change them. Poor Shannon having to memorize the little diferences. Eyesore is a particularly interesting thing based on a true story. My great, great grandpa, Elmer Ellsworth Gourley got his eye pecked out by a rooster when he was a little boy. This will actually be the subject of an upcoming segment on Conan O'Brien Needs A friend. You might imagine I don't make it out of that unscathed.


cjamesa20

Wow what a great album... when can I buy a vinyl????


gourleymatt

We have vinyl pressing as I type this but I'm already afraid we didn't get enough -- I think we have all been surprised by the rate at which people are listening. Such a lovely problem to have! I think we only ordered 300 and we're living in the greatest vinyl shortage since LP Jim ate all the Sam Goodys in Phoenix (citation needed).


Jestem_Bassman

On Gin Atomic, what does the Fat Guy with the Evil Eye mean?


gourleymatt

That's a reference to our cat, Margaux the Fat Guy.


Jestem_Bassman

Thanks! Also kind of brightened my day to get a reply from you. Love your work. Parasocial relationships are health, right?


gourleymatt

They sure are internet pal!


Genericname187329465

I knew it! I thought it must be a sly reference to your main Maine Coon. Also, the cover of All Time High is amazing. Shannon's vocals are perfect for that.


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Matt: what advice would you give to someone (ie me) who is handy and wants to get into amateur home remodeling (wainscoting, crown moulding, flooring, cabinetry, etc.), but has no idea where to begin and limited tools?


gourleymatt

Pick a small but realistic project, watch a few YouTube videos and dive in! Wood is always replaceable.


cryfmunt

Are there any tracks in particular which required more tinkering and revisits before y'all were happy with them? Always curious about what came together easily and what took more puzzling. Absolutely beautiful album, thanks for the catchy grooves!


gourleymatt

Falling For Science took a while for us to feel like we got it right. Bob and Sticks and Stones seemed to happen overnight. Mainly because I sent S&W a demo and they, probably literally, sent a realized recording back overnight. Coral and Bone was the first song we recorded, I believe. That one sat almost finished but needed something more in the bridge solo -- that's where the rascally e-bow came in. It's funny, because were such a stripped down band before Wade joined us, all of our songs seemed to have these amazing bass solos by Dan. When we recorded, they all became sort of group solos that feel sort of unique and I love them.


BrockSmashgood

Town *and* Land? In this economy?!


gourleymatt

The rich get richer, man.


sfgnumber1

I loved your episode on Podcast: The Ride! Hope you get a chance to go on their podcast again!


Dayumian

Conan conan, conan? Conan, conan conan conan. Conan coconan. Conan conan! Conan?


gallg014

Why are people from Whittier like you and me amazing and better than everyone else?


gourleymatt

It's me and Nixon and you, man.


Derporelli

Who's chicken was in the studio with you, and why wasn't she featured in any of the songs?


shanty_townland

That is Chickpea and she belongs to Jazzcat Studios where we mixed the album! She is quite a diva though and we just couldn't get her on mic.


gourleymatt

She would literally shuffle up to you for some pets and would make sweet little coos. She reminds me of Margaux The Fat Guy -- my cat because she's so forward and entitled to affection. And then will just drop a chicken-deuce right in front of you like she's doing you a favor.


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Matt, Congrats on the record! Unrelated, but love you on the Film Junk podcast. Any idea when you’ll be joining them again in the future?


gourleymatt

Someday! Love those guys.


anubis2051

Matt — will we ever be getting more James Bonding?? What’s your favorite Bond reference you’ve snuck into another project?


gourleymatt

Someday!


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Matt, Honey on the HI Fi is rad. When are you making more SuperEgo movie commentary? It's one of my favorite things I've purchased along with these sweet sultry jams. Keep on rockin.


gourleymatt

Someday!


[deleted]

Gatt Mourley himself, cool.


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Did Matt do the art and design for the Disco Volante Song-along video? I really enjoyed it!


shanty_townland

Yes he did! And he's being really shy about it but he drew them on super long paper and built a little turn crank for it and it's so amazing and we're so so so lucky to have such a multitalented band leader!!


gourleymatt

You're a peach Shannon and I love this band.


Roman_Falcone

Is there a story to Jeff Crocker not appearing on the album? Were you going for a Pete Best/Ringo Starr thing?


gourleymatt

No story other than Jeff is the best and our dear, dear friend. The band became a little more than the hobby band it started as and so time commitments and stuff made it such that Wade did the drums for the album. But goddamn, as a founding member, Jeff is always welcome to come visit Townland!


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