INTERVIEW: Larry and His Flask — Music Musings & Such

INTERVIEW:

ALL BAND PHOTOS: Ben Morse

Larry and His Flask

___________

THE awesome Larry and His Flask…

have been talking about their new single, This Remedy. It is from the album of the same name and I was keen to know what influences and ideas go into the music. They reveal what tour dates are coming up and why there has been a five-year gap between releases.

I discover what the music scene is like in the Pacific Northwest and what sort of music they grew up around; the advice they would give to musicians coming through; albums that are important to them – they end the interview by selecting some cool songs.

__________

Hi, guys. How are you? How has your week been?

Hello. We are doing great. We are on tour right now. Flew from Frankfurt Germany this morning to play a show tonight in Spain! This tour so far has been amazing. We are having a great time. It’s always nice playing in the U.K. and Europe.

For those new to your music; can you introduce yourselves, please?

Yes, of course. We are Larry and His Flask from Bend, Oregon (U.S.A.). We have been a band for fourteen years. Our members are Ian Cook - Guitar and Lead Vocals; Kirk Skatvold - Mandolin and Trumpet; Jeshua Marshall - Bass and Harmonica; Andrew Carew -Vocals, Banjo and Trombone and Jamin Marshall -Drums.

How did Larry and His Flask get together?

Jeshua and I (Jamin Marshall) started the band in high school with Ian Cook. A few years later, after many line-up changes, Kirk and Andrew joined the band just as we started touring full-time.

This Remedy is your new album. What sort of themes and stories inspired the music?

It was more real-life events and feelings rather than story songs. Ian felt that it was time to put more of himself and his life into the songs. The overall idea is a rebirth of the band; a fresh outlook of positivity. The Remedy, if you like, to what had brought us down in the past.

It is your first collection in five years. How come there was a bit of a gap between releases?!

We took almost three years off of the road and subsequently writing music. I was living in the Caribbean and the guys were working on other musical projects and jobs. But, we figured now is the time to bring some new music out to the people. It just kind of snowballed from an idea to a full album in one summer’s time and then we set to recording it in the winter. It turns out that all the guys were ready to go back at it. So, naturally, we have to do some touring as well to support the album.

This Remedy is the latest single. Is there a story behind the song?

Yes. It is about using music as a positive force to overcome all odds and come through the negative influences in life; pushing back the darkness with song and love. It is about coming home.

You hail from the Pacific Northwest. Is it hard getting gigs and attention somewhere relatively remote – or does the scenery and geography inspire music?

It inspires music for sure - and has always inspired our writing and playing style. But, we do have to drive a while to get to the gigs most of the time.

Which artists are you all inspired by? Did you grow up around a lot of different sounds?

Yes. We group up with a ton of inspirations, musically. We collectively love it all; from Billie Holliday to Motörhead to 2Pac and Gogol Bordello; from Rancid to Doc Watson to Stevie Ray Vaughan and David Bowie. We take bits and pieces from all over the musical spectrum.

Do you think there will be touring dates? Can we catch you play?

We will be back to the U.K. and E.U. in the spring and summer of 2019. The U.S.A. Fall Tour:

13-OCT: Boise, ID @ Neurolux Lounge; 14-OCT: Salt Lake City, IA @ The State Room; 16-OCT: Des Moines, IA @ Wooly’s; 17-OCT: Sioux City, IA @ The Marquee; 18-OCT: Saint Paul, MN @ The Turf Club; 19-OCT: Chicago, IL @ Beat Kitchen; 20-OCT: Detriot, MI @ El Club; 21-OCT: Toronto, ON (CA) @ The Horseshoe Tavern; 23-OCT: Brooklyn, NY @ The Kingsland; 24-OCT: Stanhope, NJ @ The Stanhope House; 25-OCT: Washington, DC @ Hill Country LIVE; 27-OCT: Kansas City, MO @ The Riot Room; 28-OCT: Denver, CO @ The Streets of London Pub

If you each had to select an album that means the most to you; which would they be and why?

Jamin: Flogging Molly - Swagger

It changed my life.

Jeshua: Manu Chao - La Radiolina

It opened my mind to a musical dreamscape of romantic and political lyricism in a way I hadn’t experienced before.

Have you each got a favourite memory from your time in music – the one that sticks in the mind?

Jamin: Yes. My favorite memory in music was playing the Warped Tour in 2007 and having my dad drive up to watch us play. We were able to get him backstage to watch his favorite band Flogging Molly. I don’t think I had seen him so proud and happy.

If you could support any musician alive today, and choose your own rider, what would that entail?

Willie Nelson...

What advice would you give to artists coming through?

Be relentless in your art. Never give up.

Are there any new artists you recommend we check out?

Willy Tea Taylor, The Harmed Brothers; Crazy Arm and La Armada.

Do you get much time to chill away from music? How do you unwind?

I don’t have much time when I’m not working on the band in some manner. But, when I have a few hours or a weekend off, I like to be with my girlfriend and two dogs in Denver. Just hanging out in nature or on a boat somewhere.

Finally, and for being good sports; you can each choose a song and I’ll play it here (not any of your music - I will do that).

Jamin: Heroes performed by Motörhead