As we enter release week for Thrice‘s latest album Palms (September 14, Epitaph Records), we quizzed the band on what we can expect from the record, their South American shows and more.
How are you feeling about the release of ‘Palms?’
We are really exciting for people to be able to hear it. It’s always weird to make a record and then wait months before you are able to share it with people but the time is quickly approaching.
What can we expect to hear on the album?
Bass Clarinet. Some 80’s sounding synth. Harp. Etc. Those are all actually on there, but don’t really encapsulate the record. I think it is the most sonically sprawling record we’ve done since Vheissu (if you don’t count Alchemy Index, which would be cheating.) Sometimes when we bring our ideas together, we end up pulling them towards some sort of unifying theme or sound. This time we really wanted to keep a lot of the threads of the initial demos and follow where they led.
Who are your influences when writing and recording?
The recording process was a bit different than we’ve ever done it. We have worked with producers before, and also recorded completely on our own. This time we went with a hybrid approach, working with Eric Palmquist (who record TBEITBN) on general pre-production and drums and vocals. All of the rest of the instruments we recorded on our own to have a little more freedom to try things out and chase tones and let the performances be as dynamic as we want them to be.
As far as influences, it’s always hard to pin down specifics but here are a few that we’ve noticed in trying to think about it: Radiohead, No Knife, Beach House, Grizzly Bear, National, Abhinanda, and Fugazi.
How has your tour been so far?
We are out in South America right now for the first time. We just got in so we are waiting to play the first show right now. Yesterday we had a day to recuperate from the flight though and got to see the city from the Christ the Redeemer statue at the top of Corcovado. The topography here is absolutely stunning. After that we got to take in a soccer game for Rio’s biggest team. It was definitely a great way to start a tour.
Where are you most excited to play?
No idea. We are playing 5 shows down here but we honestly don’t know enough to know what to expect other than that by all accounts the shows are a blast in South America.
As festival season is coming to an end, what festival would you like to play next summer?
Hmmm. Maybe Riot Fest? They always seems to have a cool mix of artists. I really wanted to see Jawbreaker last year but wasn’t able to make it.
What are your plans when you finish touring? Back into the studio or break?
No idea. We are just ramping up to start the touring cycle on this new record but I’m sure we’ll be getting back into the studio as it starts winding down. The next thing I put out though will hopefully be a project that I’m working on with my brother that will be more on the indie/pop/electronic side of things.