"Chatting with José González"

José González

José González has amassed a growing base of fans since releasing his debut album Veneer in 2003 in Sweden. Relentless in his touring, the quality of his song writing spread across Europe and two years later the album was available in North America.

The strength of his single Heartbeats (a Knife cover song) landed him spots on late night television shows and commercials.

In 2007, González followed-up his critically acclaimed debut album with In Our Nature. Darker in tone and theme, González managed to capture the essence of his sound, but wasn’t relegated to simply recreating his first offering. Instead he grew, increasing his rhythmic intricacies and guitar patterns.

The Swedish-born González, of Argentinean descent, is known for his classically influenced guitar style that intersperses haunting stringed arrangements amidst his steady emotive vocals.

Currently on tour in the States, before crossing the border for a quick jaunt in Canada, González took the time to speak to me on June 18 as he made his way from Northampton to Boston.

www.myspace.com/josegonzalez
www.jose-gonzalez.com
www.junip.net

WGTS: So how’s this tour going?

José: Really nice. We were dancing yesterday. The show was really good. It was in a smaller club and this is a great city (referring to Northampton).

WGTS: Has it been a while since you’ve played a smaller venue?

José: It’s usually pretty mixed when I’m on tour. I’m more concerned with the quality of sound than the actual size of the place.

WGTS: You recently released a remix EP, how did that come about?

José: I think my Swedish label contacted some of the people to remix the songs. I didn’t really have any input into the songs or any of it. It just showed up in my mailbox one day. (Laughing)

WGTS: You’ve released a few different cover songs. How does it feel to have other people interpret some of your own songs?

José: I like it. It felt strange hearing my own songs being remixed. I’ve heard so many bad ones, so it was good to hear these versions. I like the idea of people taking your music and doing whatever they want.

WGTS: Are you the type to read all the reviews about your album?

José: When the album (referring to his last full-length release, In Our Nature) came out, I was interested in what people thought about it. But now I don’t bother too much, especially when it’s a bad one and I’m in a bad mood. (Laughing)

WGTS: Have you started writing for the next album yet?

José: Very slowly. I’ve been doing some music with my band Junip. Afterwards, we’re going to try to make some more music at home in Gothenburg. We’re planning to release our own album, but it’ll probably take about a year. I have some touring to do in the summer, but then in the autumn we’ll get together and start writing.

WGTS: Do you miss playing in a band?

José: Yeah, although I’ve been touring a lot with percussionists and backup vocalists. But when you’re in a band, you’re part of a whole and you’re not the main act. It’s not so much about the music all the time for me. Sometimes it’s really great to just hang out and build camaraderie with the guys in the band.

WGTS: So you’re going to focus on Junip before your next album?

José: Yeah, I think so. I’d like to get creative again. On tour I’ve just gotten lazy and very frustrated. I haven’t been able to write anything. I’d like this autumn to be fresh, to write with Junip and by myself.

WGTS: Do you foresee many changes in style or writing on your next album?

José: I’m not sure right now. I think I still want to focus on the rhythmic aspects of the music and try to do as much with one guitar and my voice, and not overproduce it. I feel like I can leave that to the future.

WGTS: Do you think that will change?

José: Yeah, I think so. I like many different styles and ways of producing. I just feel with the style that I’m doing, it isn’t that common out there so I don’t want it too over produced.

WGTS: You’re known for your guitar playing and song arrangements, but how important are the lyrics to you?

José: They’re really important, but they always come in last and it can be difficult. The music comes first when I’m writing, but if you want to have a song that’s really good you need good lyrics as well.

WGTS: I’ve noticed that most of your lyrics focus on ideas and issues at large. Are you afraid of exposing your personal life in your writing?

José: I’ve tried to avoid personal lyrics. On In Our Nature, it was nice to find outer topics that weren’t about personal issues. It’s partly that I don’t want to talk about myself and my feelings and also I think it’s more interesting to find other topics to write about.

WGTS: You’ve been quoted as saying you don’t want to be a cheesy singer/songwriter – what do you mean by that?

José: Well, when I started I was really cheesy. (Laughing) There are so many artists that are really cheesy and it’s almost synonymous with singer/songwriter tradition. I tend to avoid romantic clichés in my lyrics and sing in a way that separates me from that.

WGTS: Romantic clichés seem to fit well with your genre though – is it difficult to stay away from them?

José: Yeah, I agree. They work pretty well. But it’s not that hard to stay away from them for me. But when I listen to someone like Paul Simon, he has very good songs that hit me directly. And they’re songs about relationships, so I’m aware that type of music works.

WGTS: Moving away from your music now – tell us about your relationship with Make Me Sustainable.

José: On the last tour we hooked up with a company called Reverb and Make Me Sustainable. They helped us out to plan the tour and talked to venues to cut down our carbon foot print and recycle as much at the venues. It’s one of many issues that can be brought up. On tour it’s difficult to be as aware as when you’re at home, so it was great to be a part of it.

WGTS: As a musician, do you feel a greater responsibility to talk about issues like this one?

José: Yeah, I think that as an artist you’re in a position to highlight certain topics or questions. It’s a good opportunity in that way.

WGTS: Well, thanks so much for your time, José. How about you leave us with one fact about yourself that most people don’t know.

I pick my nose pretty often. (Laughing) I’m not sure if I want people to know that, but I don’t think many people do know that.

Be sure to catch José González on tour in Canada this summer.
June 25: Quebec City – Le Grande Scene
June 26 : Halifax – St. Matthews Church
June 28 : Calgary – Sled Festival
June 30: Saskatoon – The Broadway Theatre
July 1: Winnipeg – The Park Theatre
July 2: Winnipeg – The Park Theatre
July 3: Ottawa – Ottawa Blues Festival