Spindrift Interview and Pictures

The first time I heard a Spindrift song it was Speak to the Wind and I felt like why have I not been listening to this the same way when I first saw The Good, The Bad and The Ugly I said to myself how have I not seen this.

"Spindrift is the Clint Eastwood of the music scene."

They sound like the theme music that would play if he just walked around and had showdowns with things. The show I got the chance to go to and take pictures was kind of like an acid trip in the desert but they had beer and there was a band playing in a halfpipe. 
I got a chance to talk to the Henry the bassist.

So, how did you guys get together?

Kirpatrick started the band in the early 90's back in Delaware. It had all different members and a much different sound. About six years ago he moved to LA and fell into doing merch for The Brian Jonestown Massacre on a couple tours. He played some of his crazy psychedelic western music for those guys, and they became his backing band. That's basically how the rest of us were drawn into it.

The show I went to the other day was basically like you guys played a big ass party, do you guys go out and get wasted together or is it all business when it comes to your music?

We're like a family. We hang out with each other a lot: go to shows, parties, watch movies... Some of us work together. 

You have some kind of tie with one of my other favorite bands, The Brian Jonestown Massacre how do you guys know them?

Kirpatrick met those guys years ago through a friend back east named Chris Tucker, who plays in The Situation. He's toured with them a couple times as the merch guy, and once as lead guitarist. A couple guys who were in BJM then are in the Spindrift now.

You played a show in Norman, Oklahoma I wished I would have been in town for. Do you have any ties there or was it just random?

We have some really good friends in LA who are Okie transplants. There's a strong contingent here. It made us want to come see what Oklahoma was all about. 

Plus we love Woody Guthrie.

I know you guys had some involvement with the movie the Legend of God's Gun which looks badass. How are you tangled into that?

The film started out as a soundtrack. When Kirpatrick decided to move to LA, he brought a bunch of Morricone soundtracks with him and drove though Monument Valley and got inspired to make some western music. He made up an outline and wrote music to go along with it. A couple years later, he met Mike Bruce, who was up for the challenge of directing a film that would match the epic quality of the music.

It's really been a labor of love for all of us. A lot of hard work, a lot of time, and a lot of money. 

Where can people pick a copy up?

The film will be released on DVD through Indiecan Pictures on July 29th!

You have a unique western sound that reminds me of Ennio Morricone and the old speghetti westerns like The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly. Is that a coincidence or one of your influences?

Absolutely our influence. The drama and humor and intensity of Morricone's music is an inspiration.

So, I heard your song Indian Run is going to be in the new Tarantino movie. Do you have any idea how he got ahold of it or decided to use it?

We live in Los Angeles, so things get around. Somebody who knows somebody who has seen us play. In the end we sent a copy of the CD off to them, and they were into it. I'm looking forward to seeing that movie, too. It's called Hellride, and it's got Dennis Hopper in it!

So what's next?

We have a short west coast tour in the beginning of July, and then we hit the road for real in August to promote the DVD and our new 12" ep, Goin' Down. I expect we'll be in Oklahoma near the end of the month. Our next album, The West, has been pushed back a little, but it will be out this fall.











Posted on Monday, June 16, 2008 by Dylan Johnson

4 comments (Add your own)

1. Dayna wrote:
Great interview! You are really getting around out there in California.

June 18, 2008 @ 12:29 AM

2. Chasity Morgan wrote:
nice pictures your are a very talented guy! chunk up the duces for nompton!!!

August 5, 2008 @ 12:55 PM

3. Chasity Morgan wrote:
o yea LOL great interview as well

August 5, 2008 @ 12:55 PM

4. ericfilm wrote:
oh, well shit, i guess i could have read this.

damn it.

September 3, 2008 @ 3:55 PM

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