Small Talk With Jordan Gatesmith from Howler

Without a doubt one of my favorite bands as of late are the young upstarts Howler, headed by the twenty year old lead singer Jordan Gatesmith. Their first record, America Give Up, came out about a year ago now and having discovered it at the tail end of last year I was late to get on the bandwagon. Now though I'm a full-fledged devotee to this band, and am eagerly awaiting their second album (which you can find out more about below).

I was lucky enough to get a hold of Gatesmith and interview him through e-mail. He is without a doubt one of the nicest guys I've had the pleasure of interviewing and he's hysterical as hell too. But enough of me lavishing praise on this guy and his band. Enjoy the interview.

Howler is your creation, so what exactly inspired you to create the band? Was there a certain moment that started everything?

It's weird, I'm not sure if I even remember clearly at this point. I've given this question so many answers, but it's as if the answer has blurred into something different all together. I'm not sure if there was any other reason to form the band than out of a need to write music. Writing is something that I have always done; if I'm not writing, I'm not happy. I guess it's as simple as that.

Your debut album, America Give Up, despite sounding like an up tempo rock record, has a theme of graves and death and love gone bad running through most of it. Is this something you're fascinated with or did it come up naturally in the songwriting process?

There are definitely some morbid themes on the record, but that stems from my somewhat twisted sense of humor. I guess these themes naturally came into fruition, but still are meant to be taken somewhat ironically. 

What are some of the more obscure influences that people wouldn't expect to have inspired Howler?

We have been influenced by countless things. Art, music, film, whatever. We live in a world today where art seems to directly reference and reflect art AS IT HAPPENS. With that being said, I am a culture junkie for the 80s and 60s. I love early rock n roll and new wave. Outside of music, I am an avid reader. I have been very influenced by Emily Dickinson, TS Eliot, even Homer (of all things). I've become something of a structure nut. I'm obsessed with where we have been as humans (artistically speaking) and where we are going. I feel the need to be a historian in some regards so that I can fully appreciate the moment I am living and creating in.

You guys are frequently compared to bands like The Strokes. Inevitably people always throw out comparisons, but do you take those comparisons as a compliment or do you try to ignore them?

Any and all Strokes references are very kind, they did some good work. But I will say that I think that band has been glorified an ample amount, and that there are more things out there. People are transfixed by that band. I find it funny sometimes when people will compare certain songs of ours with the Strokes and I'll think, "Interesting, I mean I ripped that guitar riff from the Replacements, that bass line from the Cure, and I even ripped of a Paul Westerberg lyric, but I'm like the Strokes"? 

Your next album is supposedly inspired by The Yardbirds and other 60's pop. How far along is the album and can we expect a release this year?

The album is coming along great. It should be out this year. But I think I get over excited sometimes in interviews when I talk about direction. There are some Yardbirds, Guess Who, and Seeds elements to it, but there is so much more. I'm trying my hardest to use all of the music I love to create something interesting and importantly: new. I'm a little tired of pastiche rock music, and that's something I wish to avoid. 

With your second album you guys are taking on the supposed "sophomore slump" that has seemingly become a huge deal these days. Does the press playing the "sophomore slump" up ever worry you about living up to expectations?

I have felt all the anxiety and fear a recording artist can feel moving on from record one. But thankfully I have moved far past that. I'm currently writing some fascinating things, stepping up my game, and working very hard. I think that people are going to be happily surprised by Howler record two. And if it does suck and the press is all like, "boo, sophomore slump", I've taken it upon myself to never stop moving and experimenting. Howler record three will be out shortly after, and it will definitely kick ass.

You're a rather young person. Do you expect to keep making music for the rest of your life or are there other things you wish to pursue?

I think music is my future. The only other thing I could possibly see in the cards is marrying a hot cougar lady mm mmm who has recently divorced her oil tycoon husband, leaving him in ruins. I would eat ice cream and caviar all fucking day long, gain 80 pound and die in my sleep of an undiagnosed heart condition. That would be alright. Or maybe I will take 3,000 hits of acid and graduate from the universe. There are so many things I want out of life...