TBS : Well , I don ’ t think that I would I be up to any mischief , per se . I think that I would just become … uhh … unpleasant to

be around . We all have our demons , and I ’ m no exception to that . But I do my best . And I ’ m pretty calm and straightforward when it comes to my work – it ’ s the other parts of my life that I struggle with . And that ’ s the good thing about being able to write songs . This album is really cathartic , as was a lot of my last album ( 2009 ’ s Expando ). But I dunno . I tend to be pretty moody , and I don ’ t really know why , and I tend to isolate myself a little bit – maybe too much – now and then . It ’ s like , I would not instigate having some social function at home , or a dinner with some friends , or even to go out and do stuff and socialize . But the fact is , I love it . My wife is very social – she will instigate the stuff , and my first reaction many times is to say , “ I don ’ t want to do that .” But when I do it , I become very chatty and I ’ m happy to be there . So how do you explain what goes on inside your brain ?

IE : Couples activities are horribly overrated . It ’ s better to just stay in with your significant other . TBS : Yes . We do that , too . We spend a lot of time by ourselves . But I really should be more motivated , because once I get into those social situations , I usually am very happy to do it , you know ?

IE : What ’ s the exotic backdrop in the album ’ s gatefold photograph ? TBS : That ’ s Kauai . That ’ s the Pacific Ocean , and my song “ The Island ” was totally inspired by the island of Kauai , which is where we ’ ve been going for years – we own a house there . And that ’ s where I usually see Todd Rundgren – we ’ re friends , and back in ’ 92 we were both in Ringo Starr ’ s band .

IE : It ’ s amazing that you were not only in Jimmy Buffett ’ s Coral Reefer Band for a spell , but you actually coined that term for his fans – Parrotheads . TBS : Well , that was kind of a freak thing .

AFI AFI ( The Blood Album ) Austra Future Politics Foxygen Hang Mick Harvey Intoxicated Women Shintaro Sakamoto Love If Possible The Proper Ornaments Foxhole

Kid Koala Music To Draw To : Satellite Mick Harvey Intoxicated Women Shintaro Sakamoto Love If Possible

The xx

10 illinoisentertainer . com february 2017