11 Dec SF Chronicle Interview
We’re profiled in today’s San Francisco Chronicle in the 96 Hours weekend entertainment guide. It can also be found online at SF Gate
The trade secrets of this San Francisco shoegaze, post-rock band on Tricycle Records emerged from the dark backroom upstairs at the Edinburgh Castle during an unpublicized show in the summer of 2006, when the Union Trade essence was revealed to the excited crowd – as well as the band. “The first six months of the Union Trade was pretty exciting for all of us, as we were finding the Union Trade sound,” says guitarist Don Joslin, who, along with bassist Nate Munger, had previously been in the instrumental rock band Andrea Doria. With lush, slow, diving vocals that ride along well with swerve-driving guitar distortion, the Union Trade says it has created a style that is greater than the sum of its parts. “The vision came first, then the band set out to develop the sound,” says Joslin, who also admits that the band cannot be trusted around other groups’ beer backstage. “In the end, we have all reached a place musically that none of us would have reached alone.”
Lineup: Nate Munger, bass, vocals; Don Joslin, guitar, control freak; Eric Salk, guitar, EBow, vocals; Dan Rodkewich, drums, conflict resolution.
1. The Union Trade’s music should be filed between:
My Bloody Valentine and Coldplay.
2. The soundtrack to what movie would the Union Trade’s music best match?
“The Shawshank Redemption.” The tones and themes are a good match to our music, which can be pretty dark, but is also filled with struggle, hope and triumphant moments.
3. If the Union Trade could collaborate on a song with any person, living or dead, who would that be?
The photographer Gregory Crewdson. His photos are amazing in the way he places his subjects in elaborate sets with dark and dramatic lighting. His images are cinematic, and we often conceive songs in a similar way. Building each song like a stand-alone scene, our goal is to create a musical story that evokes image and emotions. It would be great to collaborate with him and write music inspired by his photographs.
4. If a junior high school asked you to play a cover song at the next talent show, what song would you choose?
“Anywhere Better Than Here” by the Replacements at Pomolita Middle School, Ukiah, and at Central Middle School, Columbia Heights, Minn.
5. What is the meaning of life?
Puppies with laser-beam eyes.
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