Music Blog

(From the record release show, credit: Jennifer Busby)


G: I’ve heard about the origins of the band name, but who exactly are the Builders and who are the Butchers?

B: It’s a question people ask us all of the time, but we think we’ve come up with something. Facial hair; you’re a butcher, without and you’re a builder. It’s just something left to the imagination.

G: Based on the cover of the new album, it seems that there are two distinct sides to the band. Does this come out in your live performances or just on the album?

B: We gave the album to our friend who did the art and told him to come up with something that makes sense to you; so it wasn’t our decision necessarily. A lot of the songs are not one thing in particular so maybe there’s a struggle there.

G: Were there any set goals/aesthetics when the band started?

B: We just kind of started playing. In the beginning we just wanted to play in the streets. Kind of like Joey Ramone’s magical voice (laughs). The instruments were just there and there wasn’t a need for amps, so we just started playing. We could just sit and play. It organically grew from there.

G: I’d say in the last year or so there’s been a reinvigoration of the folk/Americana scene and it’s become rather popular. Do you think your popularity has been partly based off of the new interest?

B: You can’t deny taste. People get into a certain thing, if our sound falls into that, then people will like it. You could be the best grunge band ever right now, but it wouldn’t matter. If Soundgarden came out right now, no one would care.

G: Adding to that, Portland has a very involved Folk scene topped by the Decemberists obviously, but there are a ton of other mid-level acts too. How has the city and its music influenced the music and the band as a whole?

B: You can’t get away from it and there’s a little bit of everything minus electronic. That’s a little lacking. There’s plenty of support in the local Folk scene here. There’s always a good, supportive audience. It’s a good little community. There’s no “Sharks Vs. Jets” feud per se.
 

Stream: The Builders and the Butchers' opbmusic in-studio session