All week long, we've been celebrating the release of Braid's new EP, Closer to Closed, the band's first release in over a decade. To conclude "Braid Week" here on Mixtape Muse, we have an interview with Braid vocalist/guitarist Bob Nanna. Bob was nice enough to take some time and answer some questions, talking everything from the tag "emo" to growing as a songwriter to the future of Braid.
Interview by Quinn S.
Mixtape Muse: It’s been over a decade since you guys released new material, and it’s been said that Record Store Day was the impetus for bringing the band together to write/record. Before reconvening last year, was there ever any time over the past few years when you considered getting back together to write (and/or record)?
Bob Nanna: Nope! In April of 2010, Chris and I started doing DJ nights at a local bar and started hanging out more so it was around that time that we started talking about getting together to write some new Braid stuff.
MM: Back in the day, you guys drew a lot of inspiration from your local (Champaign, IL) scene. How has that scene changed over the past decade and does it still play a role in any way in regards to how Braid operates?
BN: We haven’t lived in Champaign since 1997 and I haven’t really kept up with the scene there. I’ve played shows in other bands there (so has Chris) and it seems as though things are still moving along. Polyvinyl being in town helps a lot, I’d assume. But no, other than the influence it had on older material, it really has no bearing on Braid’s new stuff.
MM: The tag “emo” has often been used to describe the band’s sound – and some have even held you to be torchbearers of the genre. A lot of bands seem to shy away from such a term. How do you feel about it, especially in regards to its use in conjunction with Braid?
BN: I don’t mind it anymore. Just like any term used to describe music, there are pros and cons, but in reality it’s all just become marketing and spin. I don’t care too much about that stuff, especially in Braid’s case.
MM: The term “emo” was also applied to a number of other Midwest bands (e.g. The Promise Ring, Mineral, Christie Front Drive, Jimmy Eat World, etc.) back in the ‘90s. What do you think it was about the Midwest that inspired this kind of sound? Do you think there was or is any correlation between the music and the geography?
BN: I think CFD and Jimmy wouldn’t consider themselves Midwest bands! Either way, the term was used for DC bands like Fugazi, East Bay bands like Jawbreaker, southern bands like Hot Water Music. In terms of music as a result of geography, the Midwest did enjoy being the literal center of the country. Everyone from all sides criss crossed through constantly. That sort of thing probably didn’t happen in, say, Seattle or Miami.
MM: Closer to Closed sounds a bit more honed and less aggressive than the Braid that released Frame & Canvas. In the past, the vocals leaned more towards emotive shouting whereas today it seems more about focused, melodic singing. Would you say it’s just a natural progression or something that’s been more conscious on your part?
BN: I can’t shout like I used to! I think it’s a natural progression. If we never broke up in the first place, I think the shouting would generally make its way out of the mix. I spent a lot of the time between 2001 and now specifically trying to become a better singer, so you know, it makes sense!
MM: It’s been stated in previous interviews that the writing for this new EP came together very naturally. Were there any preconceived ideas for what you guys were going for or was it really something that just came together from jamming in the same room again?
BN: I came in with most of “Do Over” and Chris came in with most of the “The First Time.” “Universe or Worse” was jammed pretty much on the spot. It’s exactly the way things worked for us way back when – pretty much equal parts of those 3.
MM: What influences your writing now, and how do these influences compare to what inspired your past work?
BN: I guess “life” is my answer to both parts of the question. Instead of Champaign, it’s Chicago but other than that, nothing’s changed.
MM: You chose to include a cover of “You Are the Reason” by the late Minneapolis songwriter Jeff Hanson as a tribute to him. What made you specifically choose this song?
BN: It was between that one and “This Time It Will.” We felt that “You Are The Reason” would be more natural for Braid to cover. It had a nice open feel to it.
MM: What’s the meaning behind the title Closer to Closed? Sounds a bit cryptic. [Laughs]
BN: [Laughs] Yeah it is. It really just means closer to the end in a lot of ways.
MM: You’ve mentioned that there aren’t any plans to tour behind Closer to Closed or record anymore material at this time. After nearly 20 years of existence, what does Braid mean to you now?
BN: No touring, but we never said we were done recording material. We’re talking about getting together in December to maybe write some more stuff and play a few more shows! To me, Braid is a way for me to connect with some of my best friends and recapture some of that youthful spirit of the past. It should always be available for us to explore. That’s exciting!
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Thanks, Bob, and thanks to Andy D.
Cheers, Braid.
Thank you.
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