"..captivating simplicity to it's core.."
Young ManSubdudeYoung Man Bio:
Colin Caulfield was pretty literal in choosing his artistic alias, Young Man -- he was fresh out of college when his first album appeared. But even though he's grown up in the Internet age, Caulfield seems to prefer the old-school method of crafting an album. Many of the tracks on Ideas of Distance would make little sense if they were decontextualized via the MP3 shuffle treatment -- this is a record with an arc, and it's clearly meant to be heard from start to finish. Caulfield first came to the public's attention via a series of cover tunes he posted on YouTube, including his versions of songs by David Bowie and Deerhunter. Like those artists, he sounds a bit like an alien reverse-engineering his idea of pop music after a fact-finding visit to Earth. Ideas of Distance, which is slated as the first installment of an album trilogy, was created entirely by Caulfield, but the claustrophobic, lo-fi qualities often found in D.I.Y. bedroom pop are nowhere to be heard here. In fact, there's a ton of space in these tracks -- despite his youth, Caulfield knows how to take his time while building up an idea, and he's careful to let the whole album breathe in a very organic way. His low-key croon wafts gently across a haze of guitars and keyboards, and he's placed a couple of lovely, ambient-tinged instrumentals smack dab in the middle of the album, to create just the right sense of pacing. At this point in musical history, it's encouraging to encounter a young artist who's not afraid to make a record that requires an ample attention span. 
Hello, how are you?
First time I've been asked that in an interview! I'm doing well.
What are you currently listening to?
Lately I've been really into The Caretaker's 'An Empty Bliss Beyond This World', Arrington de Dionyso's 'Malaikat Dan Singa', 'Replica' by Oneohtrix Point Never, and Mia Doi Todd's 'Cosmic Ocean Ship'. Also, Julain Lynch's 'Terra' - played a show with him recently and we swapped vinyl.
Whats the story with the band name?
Young Man is a concept project that I developed after unintentionally writing a series of songs about youth. Really, they were just confessional or autobiographical songs that, since I was becoming an "adult" at the time, reflected that phase in my life. I decided to continue writing this way and before long I had a lot of songs. That's when the project really started and the name jumped out as the most logical possibility.
Who were/are your biggest influences when it came to sculpting your current sound?
Rufus Wainwright, The Fiery Furnaces, Animal Collective, Women, The Beatles, Brian Eno, Yes, Deerhunter, Philip Glass, Deerhoof, Wolfgang Voigt, Owen Pallett, The Dirty Projectors, Sufjan Stevens, Beach House, Talking Heads, Grizzly Bear, The Bad Plus, Joanna Newsom.
Is there a theme on on your latest release?
Ideas of Distance is about a five year long distance relationship I've been in. The album discusses the transitional period I was in as a graduating senior in college through the lens of love, as well as dealing with the distance that develops between people as they get older.
Do you have a favorite song from the album?
"Felt" is supposed to be a reprise of everything that happens on the record so I always feel lazy saying that's my favorite, but I'm really proud of that one.
Your live sound is much different from your recorded sound, a lot more "peppy" and upbeat, is there a specific reason for that?
The addition of other musicians is the most significant difference between my bedroom recordings and the live performances. Other than that, we like to push the difference between the two (upbeat music is generally more fun and exciting to play for us and to listen to for the audience).
What movie would work best on mute while listening to your music?
Every album will be distinct from the other so it's hard to choose one, but I think Ideas of Distance would go really well with [certain parts] of Woody Allen's 'Manhattan'.
You can only keep/listen to ONE album for the rest of your life ..which album would it be?
Probably 'Pop' by Gas.
Are you living your dream?
Getting there... I'm extremely hard on myself so I don't think I'll be content until I'm doing something mind-blowing.
Thanx Joe & Colin!
Young Man has only a few more US dates to go, after that (hopefully) work on the next album begins...
I (probably like many of you out there) jumped on the Young Man band wagon once Mr. Cox made notice of Colin's impressive ("debut/cover") of "Rainwater Cassette". I loved what I heard and I could definitely tell there was a future in this artists career. To be honest, Young Man reminded me A LOT of Atlas Sound (whom you all know I love so very much), only slightly more doleful (these days anyways) and a little more "submissive".Much like Bradford Cox, Colin Caulfield (Young Man) carries the Lo-Fi Bedroom aesthetics to a "next level", but there are also Grizzly Bear influences there too, which to me almost makes it "Anti-Bedroom (that's a thing I'm pretty sure)" due to all of the over the top lush/perfectly recorded arrangements. No matter what, if you like either of those artists you're most certainly in for a treat with Young Man's debut LP. "Ideas Of Distance" continues where "Boy" left off, it has matured, but the same clean & endearing vocals float and sway in between plucked guitar chords, gorgeous string arrangements, a few "white noises", and a little piano/organ work here and there. It's captivating simplicity to it's core, and that's nice sometimes.Unlike Atlas Sound (whom I believe became/is becoming more "Pop" oriented) and Grizzly Bear (whom I believe have always been "this close" to releasing something truly meaningful), Young Man preferred something so much more sincere and laid back ..he shoots, he scores. HIGHLY Recommended.Standout Tracks: A-L-L. Enough, Low, Only You (going for Jeff Buckley's "a capella gold standard"--soo good), Felt
"..simple/elegant brilliance complimenting terrific glimmering minimalism there to relax you and put your everything at ease.."
Gem ClubCaptivating DefeatGem Club Bio:
Gem Club are Christopher Barnes and Kristen Drymala from Massachusetts. They combine elements of piano with cello, minimal ambiance, and delicate vocals. The duo just released their debut EP “Acid And Everything” via their bandcamp site. Since it's release Gem Club have received many inviting compliments and have been compared to the likes of Memoryhouse and Perfume Genius.
Hello, how are you?
Christopher: Good. Anxious for the winter.
Kristen: Great. Its chilly in New England though.
What are you currently listening to?
C: I've been driving around to Aaliyah and "The Many Shades of Cajual". I tend to listen to music mostly in the car.
K: Arthur Russell, Young Man, Best Coast. Also I've been going back to listening to songs I heard in my parent's car when I was little, like The Shirelles, The Ronettes, Roy Orbison.
Besides it sounding clever, is there a specific reason why you guys went with the name “Gem Club”?
C: It's a nod to someone I admire.
K: It was between that and something a little difficult to say. We do practice with a gem on the piano.
You guys remind me of a cross between Memoryhouse and Perfume Genius. Was that the kind of sound were you going for when you began writing for this project?
K: I wasn't listening to these artists while we were recording, so no. But they are amazing and it is an honor to be grouped with them.
C: I agree.
What is your favorite track off of “Acid And Everything”?
C: I'm having a lot of fun playing "Flax" live. Kristen's foot bells seem to be a big hit.
K: My favorite is "Animals".
What’s next for Gem Club?
C: We're working on a new record. It will be our first full length release.
K: More writing and recording right now. Its exciting to think of where it could lead.
Will you be touring on a larger scale anytime soon?
K: Hopefully. Chris and I are pretty tied to the Boston area right now, but I'd love to visit the Western part of America. We've also had a good response from people and blogs in France and Sweden- playing shows there would be rad.
C: I would love to get over to Europe and play shows. Our last "tour" was a little short - hopefully this summer we'll plan something extravagant for ourselves. And by extravagant I mean driving a car around somewhere in the heat.
What’s the most “embarrassing/funny” album you own?
K: Probably the original cast recording of Wicked or ABBAs greatest hits.
C: I'm not a big fan of musicals. I guess Lunachicks "Babysitters on Acid". I went back to that recently when we were driving to NYC for a show and I felt a little embarrassed. Maybe it was an off day.
You can only keep/listen to ONE album for the rest of your life which album would it be?
C: PJ Harvey "Rid of Me"
K: Ooooh- that's a tricky one. If I didn't have my cello either I'd pick the Bach cello suites. If I did have my cello maybe one of those formative year albums, like Smashing Pumpkins "Siamese Dream" or Tori Amos "Under the Pink".
Are you living your dream?
K: Absolutely.
C: I'm getting there.
Thanks Gem Club!
Gem Club are currently working on a follow up to the terrific EP "Acid And Everything". Soak that one in now, become obsessed, and wait impatiently for the LP...
