Minor Alps perform live in The Current's studios
by Mark Wheat
November 18, 2013
Listen to Minor Alps talk about songwriting, and it sounds equal parts simple and elusive.
Minor Alps, comprising singer-songwriter Juliana Hatfield and Nada Surf's Matthew Caws, stopped in to The Current's studio on Friday, Nov. 15, shortly after landing at Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport. Fresh off the West Coast leg of their tour, they were set to play gigs in Minneapolis on Saturday and in Chicago on Sunday before jetting off to New York for an Eastern swing of show dates.
Despite the busy schedule, Caws and Hatfield enjoyed a friendly chat with The Current's Mark Wheat, and they played three songs off their collaborative album as Minor Alps, Get There.
Minor Alps came together after Caws and Hatfield crossed paths a number of times while touring in their respective acts. Hatfield and Caws developed a mutual respect for each other's singing style and approach to songwriting. After reciprocally providing vocals on each other's records, it only seemed natural that a more formal collaboration take place.
Both Hatfield and Caws describe their resulting creative effort as "easy" and "natural" — at least when it came to singing and writing together. When pressed about what helps them decide whether or not a song idea is good, each of them alludes to the ineffable nature of the art of songwriting: Hatfield calls it an instinct, while Caws finds it analogous to topiary.
Listen to the full audio to hear Minor Alps talk more about how their album came together and why they've taken a more stripped-down approach to the songs on tour than one hears on the album. They also describe their friendship with Dan Wilson, their established fans' reactions to the new project and their signing with Barsuk Records. Caws also talks about what Nada Surf will be up to next.
Songs Performed
"Maxon"
"If I Wanted Trouble"
"I Don't Know What to Do with my Hands"
All songs off the Minor Alps release, Get There, out now on Barsuk Records.
Hosted by Mark Wheat
Produced by Derrick Stevens
Engineered by Michael DeMark
