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By: Chris Ball
New York’s Mother Feather, champions of their city’s sound and heritage have been picking up champions of their own: Firstly Brian Slagel of Metal Blade, who’s signed them, then Daniel P. Carter, who’s played their ‘pop cock rock’ alongside his more regular metal staples on his show, and now our own Chris Ball, who gave their début album a very positive review here. Front woman Ann Courtney kindly agreed to talk to Chris, despite him comparing her to Shania Twain.
(((o))): The last time I checked you guys were playing The Cro Bar in London. Where are u now and what’s happening?
Ann: We’re preparing for our album release shows in Brooklyn and Philadelphia next week and busy planning for Warped Tour this summer.
(((o))): How did the London show go? That’s a cool bar and a pretty intimate venue!
Ann: I needed to see a dentist afterwards. It was awesome. It’s amazing when both old friends turn up along with new motherfeathers seeing the show for the first time. I can definitely feel the Mother Feathertentacles getting longer and stronger, we’re scooping up more and more new fans. It’s exciting.
(((o))): What can people expect from a Mother Feather show? Is it theatrical over and above your stage outfits?
Ann: It’s not theater, it’s ceremony. It’s communion. Alejandro Jodorowsky said it well: “Clothing used without consciousness is mere disguise. Holy men and women do not dress in order to appear, but in order to be. Clothes possess a form of life. When they correspond to your essence they give you energy and become your allies.”
(((o))): I’ve seen it said in another interview that you think Europe will ‘get’ you. What did you mean by that and have you found it to be true?!
Ann: It means less talk, more rock! UK audiences tend to be more open about genre-fluidity—the incredible reception we’ve gotten from BBC1 listeners at the Rock Show is testament to that. We don’t sound like a lot of other rock bands that Dan Carter spins on that show, but we still make sense on it and sound fresh. It’s tricky to categorize Mother Feather, and I understand the impulse to want to group us with other things, but European audiences seem more able to resist categorizing and embrace possibility.
(((o))): Do you think people outside of New York think the city has lost its edge or do you think that’s just a bunch of hipsters talking in Brooklyn or something?
Ann: I have no idea what people outside of New York think about New York. I’m more interested in hearing what people think about where they live. When we were in London, I wanted to hear how Londoners feel about their city. It reminded me of how some New Yorkers feel about the way New York is changing.
(((o))): Do people have certain expectations of bands from NYC?
Ann: They should! If you’re going to make music here— actually, if you’re going to make anything, anywhere— make it good! At least, try. NYC doesn’t have the right to rest on its laurels. We’re here fighting the good fight for ourselves and for New York City.
(((o))): Can you tell us about the local bands you guys saw as kids that were formative?
Ann: Emily King is an artist from NYC who I’ve seen perform many times over the last decade channel her pure soulfulness into a world-class, dialed-in live show with an extraordinary level of musicianship. She inspires me. I saw the Gossip play at the old Knitting Factory in 2000, that was a game changer. I saw Peaches at Bowery Ballroom around the same time, definitely formative!
(((o))): Have the band all known each other a long time – where did you meet?
Ann: We were all standing in line for the new iPhone…or maybe it was during a casting call for “Idol”…Honesty it’s been so long I forget!
(((o))): How much did you guys know about Metal Blade and its roster before Brian Slagel approached you. Have you brushed up on your death metal?
Ann: I knew exactly nothing—obviously I had heard of bands whose careers Brian is reputed for having launched, but I personally had never heard of Metal Blade. I was listening to ‘Like a Virgin’ in 1984! Matt, Chris, and Gunnar, on the other hand, knew a lot—those guys were listening to ‘Like a Virgin’ AND ‘Hell Awaits’, which is why when Brian contacted us, they let me know I needed to call him right back!
And yes! I have been studying up on my metal. Brian is an incredible resource, he’s so scholarly about the history of metal—not to mention, a part of it. He’s very cool about answering all of my novice questions. Digging into the 30+ year history of a label that we’re on is a pretty awesome way to learn about metal. It doesn’t hurt to be able to see Amon Amarth and King Diamond and Goatwhore in concert either.
(((o))): You must be pleased with the response the album has had so far? I know a lot of the songs were previously on EPs – Do you already have newer material and has your sound moved anywhere new? Any Shania Twain covers?
Ann: Yes! We have songs songs songs and there will be more songs! I am really excited about those songs, but for now, we still have these songs and the opportunity for them to be heard by a lot of new people. I think Mother Feather is a living, breathing entity with a lot of possibility to develop and expands. Don’t know if Slagel would be down for a cover of ‘That Don’t Impress Me Much’ on the next record, but hey, you never know.
(((o))): When can we expect to see you in England again?
Ann: Very soon! Please standby!
(((o))): Thanks again for your time and good luck!!
Ann: Thank YOU, motherfeather.
Photo credit: Shervin Lainez
