An interview with Sarabeth Tucek

29 January 2008, 10:02

Hailing from Los Angeles, Sarabeth Tucek is yet another artist in a long list who has embraced the United Kingdom’s music scene. Currently enjoying critical plaudits for her beatifully understated self-titled debut, The Line of Best Fit caught up with her a few weeks ago to discuss the album and its inspiration, taking in musical influences and brief encounters with Bob Dylan along the way.

Hi Sarabeth, thanks for taking the time out to answer our questions and congratulations on the record. From first writing “Here’s Something For You” to finally getting the album released, it’s been quite a while. How does it feel to finally have the record on the shelves?
Oh, I feel pretty happy about that. Of course, there is an element of terror but a happy terror.

Would you say that there a specific theme that runs throughout the record?
Hmm, well, I suppose that would be like answering if there was a specific theme to my life. I didn’t write with a theme in mind. It’s not conceptual.

You worked with Ethan Johns on this record. His production skills really brought the songs to life..How did that relationship come about and, how was he to work with?
Ethan was great to work with. It was a perfect experience. The record was co produced with Luther Russell. Luther had given Ethan my demos. It was months before Ethan called and asked if he could be involved. I was surprised, I thought he either didn’t like it or didn’t listen to it. Ethan and Luther knew what I wanted and accomplished it via their own spirit and imagination. I will always feel fortunate for that experience.

Overall, the UK press response to your album has been hugely positive. How does it feel to have a ‘critically acclaimed’ album under your belt? Do you pay attention to such things?
Oh, well, it’s definitely pretty nice to read good things about oneself but you know recently I decided to stop reading everything because sometimes people make comments that stick with me – comments that either are negative or that I interpret to be negative. I can find the bad in anything. I’m not the kind of person that should read about myself but yes, it’s flattering and thrilling to read to the good stuff until I locate the invisible “bad”.

What were your main influences, both musically and otherwise, whilst you were growing up? Did you always want to a musician?
Well, I had my stages. You know, I listened to what my parents listened to until I started asking for them to buy me records. So, that was Dylan, Neil Young, Bruce Springsteen, Cat Stevens, Ravi Shankar, Beatles, Steve Reich, and all of that I still listen to. Then came The Clash and The Stones and The Who and Velvet underground. I don’t know what the main influences are. I listened to alot of Gun Club and Wire but you can’t hear that in my music. I don’t know really. I wish my love of Big Star came through more. I had I wanted to be a musician but at my piano recital in fourth grade, I made a mistake onstage and ran offstage. I quit and never touched another instrument till I was like 26. I was a very sullen and dramatic kid. My poor mom.

Photograph by LA Underground

It’s widely known about your friendship with the Brian Jonestown Massacre, Anton Newcombe in particular. How did you guys first meet?
I met Anton at a BJM show. My friend was dating Peter Hayes and she brought me to meet him. After the show Anton introduced himself to me and told me I had a perfectly symmetrical face. We were friends for years and he encouraged me to pursue my music when I started writing. He was one of the few I would play anything for.

Did he offer any help on the writing or recording of your album?
Well, no, we have not been speaking for a couple years now. Such drama.

You had the great privilege of opening for Bob Dylan in 2006. As a huge Dylan fan myself, can you tell me a little how that came about?
My manager sent him my record. They asked me to play and I called every person I have ever known to tell them.

He’s famously a rather reclusive character, did you get to have a chat with him at all?
I did. Thank God. I really wanted that experience. I didn’t think it would happen because he doesn’t talk to anyone but he was alone backstage, outside, and I was walking back from the bathroom at the front of the venue. It was in the woods at dusk and as I approached, I saw this little figure leaning against the tour bus. I thought is that Bob Dylan? Ok, well, I’m not going to look again. just keep walking. And then I hear “So, what’s exciting goin’ on around here?” and I felt the universe fall away. It is not in my nature to gush or fawn but really it took alot to talk to him normally. We spoke for about 15 minutes. He was funny and adorable and sweet. Afterward I sort of just walked off into the dark woods in a daze. I can’t believe it happened. It’s a good story when I can act out both parts. I got my Dylan voice down now.

I read in an interview from last year that you were thinking of leaving LA to move out to the UK. Is that still a possibility?
Yes, I gotta leave Los Angeles. It’s ultimately too sci-fi for me. That big giant sun everyday gives me the feeling that time is not passing. The days are the same. The lack of seasons is disturbing. I love England. I am as happy as I can be when I am there. I’ve made some good friends out there too. I feel comfortable there and I think the attitude towards music is far more healthy.

And finally, outside of making this album, what books, films and albums have you been reading, watching and listening to? Anything to recommend to our readers?
I have just finished Philip Roth’s new book, Exit Ghost and The Noonday Demon by Andrew Solomon. I just saw The Orphange. Sweet and scary. Also, The Diving Bell and The Butterfly which was original and beautiful. The record on my turntable right now is a Rain Parade EP and the cod in now is Roy Harper, Turncock. I recommend all of those mentioned. Thanks for the interview. Happy New Year.

Links
Sarabeth Tucek [myspace] [album review]