MAY 2010 ISSUE MMUSICMAG.COM SPOTLIGHT

Much That’s woofies... Gor-gis. Patrick mcbride Patrick y mark Seliger Cla Craig finn, Galen Polivka, tad Kubler, bobby drake THE Hold sTEady Come Visit: Lou Russo aging gracefully, struggling mightily and

thinking positively 629 Forest Ave. • Staten Island, NY 10310 718-981-8585 • [email protected] On the hOld Steady’S fifth album, come in with a theme in mind, but there’s Heaven Is Whenever, singer Craig finn always some part of it that reveals itself to continues his evolution from a scenester you,” he says. “this record, i was really kind reveling in gritty detail to an elder statesman of concerned with struggle and reward. with wisdom to impart. “On the last record, i heaven is the ultimate reward in the was concerned with aging and the attempt Christian sense, so i was thinking a lot to age gracefully, which is a tricky business in about that.” rock ’n’ roll,” finn says. “this record sounds finn introduced a handful of more like it came from a 38-year-old, at recurring characters on the hold Steady’s least lyrically.” first album, 2004’s Almost Killed Me, the band laid down demos last year to steer the narratives of his songs. while on the road touring behind 2008’s although they still pop up, his references AS SEEN IN: MAY 2010 Stay Positive, and recorded most of the to the likes of hallelujah, Gideon and album last fall during a two-week stint in Charlemagne have grown more oblique. M MUSIC & MUSICIANS a studio in upstate new york. Without piano “the characters are used to MAGAZINE from franz nicolay—who left amicably to move stories along, so they all sort pursue various other projects—the music of represent something that’s always this time tilts more toward thin lizzy than there,” finn says. “but i’ve gotten away bruce Springsteen, with burly guitar riffs from using their names so much. i really that latch on tight. want people to be able to put their own “We were able to go back and lives and their own experiences in experience more space in the music, these songs.” have a little more openness,” finn it’s not a stretch to say that the says. “We really enjoyed that. Rather new album also reflects finn’s own life than try to fill up every little space with and experiences over the past few years. music, i think things are able to breathe a “i feel like i’m in a pretty positive place,” little more.” he says. “Certainly this is the best job finn had specific ideas for subject i’ve ever had. flying around the world matter on the album, although as often and playing rock shows to excited fans, it’s happens, he found himself surprised at pretty easy to be positive.” the way the songs developed. “i definitely –Eric R. Danton

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