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Features - Interview
 This Will Destroy You Post-rock's new all-stars Interview by Sean Butze | January 25th, 2008
When the San Marcos quartet This Will Destroy You first released their debut Young Mountain in 2005—a conventional, by-the-books post-rock album—it soon stirred up a surprising amount of recognition. Many were quick to remark at the album’s similarities to the band’s fellow Texan instrumentalists Explosions in the Sky, but while critics were busy writing it off as cliché and formulaic, many others could not stop listening. This band was just too damn good, and more and more listeners began to realize it as TWDY gained national (and even international) exposure in mere months. Accordingly, it should come as no surprise that this talented young ensemble that began by following in the footsteps of their genre-buddies has learned quickly, returning two years later with an album that sets the bar quite high for the entire post-rock scene.
With their sophomore self-titled release now ready to hit the shelves, group member Chris King offers his thoughts about the band’s career, new album, and hopes for the future.
SF: How and when did you first get involved in music? What are some bands/artists that had a particularly strong influence on you?
Chris King: I started out playing in a band when I was 13. I lied about how old I was and how long I had been playing bass. I have been playing music pretty consistently since then. Fugazi is a band that had a great impact on me growing up. Getting to see them play is a definite high point for me. Also, hearing my first Stars of the Lid record really did change and shape my perspective on music.
SF: Your first album, Young Mountain, represented what many consider a gem of conventional “post-rock” music. The new album though seems a lot more adventurous in style. What kinds of intentions and inspirations were the driving forces behind its creation? Was there a conscious effort to break away from genre standards?
Chris: I think the band venturing off was a natural progression after Young Mountain. The changes really were not thought out or forced - just ended up working its way into the material we were writing. We definitely had a more focused idea of what we wanted to accomplish with the new album as far as incorporating other elements (electronics, etc..).
SF: In just the past year since its release, tracks from Young Mountain have been used in various documentaries and films, most impressively in a briefing presentation at the Pentagon. Do you have aspirations for further involvement in the soundtrack biz with your new album? Would you ever consider writing original soundtrack material?
Chris: We would like to pursue more licensing possibilities in the future. The band is definitely influenced by certain scores and contemporary composers (I.E. Max Ricther/Philip Glass/Brian Eno). We all love film, and think it inspires our music. If the right project came along we would definitely be interested in being involved.
SF: Coming from Texas, it’s hard to imagine that you’re not constantly associated with your neighboring instrumentalists Explosions in the Sky. Did they have a significant influence on your own music? What (if any) is your relationship with the band?
Chris: We have alot of respect for those guys and what they have accomplished with their music. We’ve met the band a couple of times -- nice dudes.
SF: What are the challenges of reproducing the heavily layered and often complex nature of your sound in live performances? Do you enjoy performing and touring?
Chris: Most of the new album was tracked live so we basically had the framework down in the studio for our live set. Being on the road and playing shows is a dream for us -- we all love doing it.
SF: What is your most memorable moment from touring with TWDY?
Chris: Well, me and Andrew were arrested on the last tour in Oklahoma, so I would have to say that has to be the most memorable moment to date. HAHA.
SF: The cover art for the vinyl edition of the new album is very…interesting. Explain please?
Chris: We wanted to basically create the most epic album art of all time.
SF: What else makes up your day to day life when not writing/recording/touring for TWDY?
Chris: Jeremy is homeless, Andrew plays with his three-legged chinchilla, and I tend to my backyard cock-fighting ring.
SF: Where do you see TWDY in 5 years?
Chris: If we all survive the Mayan Prophecy of 2012 I think we will have to continue on with the music.
Read SF's review of This Will Destroy You
This Will Destroy You Official MySpace
Buy the new album from Magic Bullet Records
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