For Matthew Houck, lead singer and driving force of Brooklyn-based indie folk/alt country band Phosphorescent, there's nothing better than popping out his favorite records from favorites like Bob Dylan, Neil Young, The Band, Willie Nelson and then getting a chance to channel some of that himself.
There's something extraordinary about the sound of a early rock and roll or country record for him, especially lately. On the band's latest, "Here's to Taking It Easy," Houck indulges in his love for classic rock and older technology. Between record sessions, Bob Dylan's Street Legal, Cajun-rock titan Bobby Charles' self-titled album and Ronnie Wood's boozy solo album "I've Got My Own Album to Do" were on high rotation.
"Our goal on the new one was to take the classic rock record into the modern era," says Houck. "It's more of an update rather than throwback. It's definitely pulling inspiration from full length albums and the late 70s and a bunch of stuff. I think there's a sound in there."
The business of making these types of records is something that he's embraced more as the band grew from a personal project where he sometimes played all the instruments to more consistent contributors and full-time members.
The primary focus for Houck and Phosphorescent is to find good songs that come naturally- something interesting for themselves and listener - and not trying to be hip with what the latest trend is. Beneath layers of seemingly joyful and heartbreaking (or a combination of both) piano, lap steel and distorted guitars, Houck uses his dense wear from the road and sometimes an offbeat humor to drive the lyrics. Now 30, the Alabaman native spent the past twelve years or so criss-crossing the country, whether it is traveling by himself in a pickup truck or with a band in a tour van. There's the insightful "Heaven, Sittin' Down" about the exhaustion from a life on the road and a tale of a broken relationship on the sad ballad "Mermaid Parade." Each song is soaked with a sound produced by older technology, which he says has a bit of a magical quality to it.
"From the production standpoint I'm getting more excited about making records, engineering and producing them. I like playing with the sounds," says Houck. "I think something about those records from that time has a real specific quality of sound...that doesn't sound like a lot of bands or records these days."
Paste Magazine described this aptly in their interview with the singer, mentioning that it has "grooves deep enough to hide in and songs that stretch out like horizon-bound highways, an album both sunburned surfers and leather-clad bikers can enjoy."
Houck has a long history with the classic rock sound. His dad listened to many Seventies outlaw country, including Willie Nelson. He picked up a guitar first with interest in Kurt Cobain but then looking at other genres. There were frequent visits to his local library where he scoured the depths of old time, folk field music among other things.
As he listened to more music he picked on what makes for a good song. Houck says that one of them is to that it's usually best to let the song dictate where it's going and not force anything on it.
"Usually there tends to be a moment where you realize it's done, which can be the hardest thing," says Houck. "You have to pay attention to the song and honor what it's doing and give it life and sometimes step out of the way and let it do it's own thing."
In tune to the definition of the band's name, the band's found success in living in the musical world without combusting or burning out. Some of that is Houck's luck of finding quality musicians that understand where he wants to go musically in the studio and also can branch out live.
"It's a pleasure to be able to rely on them if I have a certain vibe in mind for a song or part as they're really great musicians," says Houck. "Live is more free and open to whatever feels appropriate for the night."
The band's current tour almost looked like it would burn out when the band's van and equipment was stolen the after their first night of the tour in Brooklyn. It looked like Houck might lose some of some of the equipment that he had grown attached to. Luckily shortly after police found the van and everything inside just a short distance from the venue.
Touring and recording have been a constant part of Houck's world. Prior to "Here's to Taking It Easy," which is their second release on the Dead Oceans indie label, Houck and the band released a number of EP s and full-lengths. These include 2003's "A Hundred Times or More," 2005's "Aw Come Aw Wry" and 2007's "Pride" - the latter two which catapulted the band into the national spotlight.
For last year's "To Willie," Houck expressed his admiration of Willie Nelson with cover's of the famed singer. He got musicians from country band Virgin Forest, all of whom are now integrated as a full band. Nelson showed his appreciation back, inviting Houck onstage at Farm Aid. Houck says that besides that there are so many moments that make it hard to pinpoint one and that there have been many lessons learned.
Following this tour, Houck and the rest of the band are eager to get back in the studio and making more recordings. Houck says that while it's hard to describe how songs come together and doesn't want to get too analytical of his songs, the most important thing is to find songs that have the right amount of emotional satisfaction.
"Something just kicks it off like a melody or line or lyrics or poem or something like that and then you just try to make something that's good and that you like. I just make what feels good to make," says Houck. "It's easier to make it than figure it all out."
