Following the vinyl reissue of the remastered and expanded edition of Spain’s debut The Blue Moods of Spain for Rhino Records, we had the chance to interview the band’s founder, bassist and singer Josh Haden — son of the legendary jazz musician Charlie Haden.
Spain’s debut is a milestone of slowcore and beyond: one of its songs, “Spiritual”, was covered by Johnny Cash on Unchained in 1996. Through Gary Levermore of Red Sand PR we had a lovely conversation with Josh.
First of all thanks for your time, but above all thanks for your music.
You’re welcome.
How was the band born, and what was the genesis of your debut record?
The band was born through trial and error. I had the idea after hearing Cowboy Junkies in 1988 and deciding to write songs like John Lee Hooker’s “It Serve You Right to Suffer”. I signed to a record label in Los Angeles called Restless and they introduced me to a producer in San Francisco named Norm Kerner. We recorded The Blue Moods of Spain at his studio in January and February of 1995.
What feelings did you have recording the record?
I was really happy with the album. Restless was on the fence about paying Norm his fee — it was something ridiculously low, like $5,000 — and Norm had to threaten to erase the tapes if they didn’t FedEx his cheque overnight. He got his cheque the next morning. I’m happy the tapes weren’t erased, even though Norm told me he was just bluffing.
Where is this beautiful melancholy but powerful and elegant sound born?
I appreciate the compliment. I don’t hear it as melancholy, powerful or elegant, although I know what you mean. I’m just trying to write and record music the best I can. Sometimes I’m successful, most of the time I’m not.
What was your reference music scene in those years?
I came from free jazz and punk rock. Improvisational music. I think I needed to learn how to rein it in a little, and learn about structure.
My reference was Cowboy Junkies and John Lee Hooker, firstly, and groups like Eric Clapton and Cream, Cocteau Twins, Killing Joke’s Outside the Gate, my sisters’ band that dog., Spacemen 3 and Velvet Underground, HR’s work with Ras Michael, Red House Painters, and a bunch of other bands and artists.
Without nostalgia — the 1990s were also special for records like yours. What do you think?
Maybe it was a backlash against the loud popular music of the time, like Soundgarden and Pearl Jam, but I don’t know. I was just trying to make good music.
Your sound is very well structured. How important is jazz in this process?
It’s very important. Jazz gives me phrasing, tempo, melody, harmony, counterpoint, structure and themes.
In your musical vision, what do you think about the current digital way of listening to music?
I think it’s fine. It’s the way the world is moving. No one can stop it. The Blue Moods of Spain 30th anniversary edition was released on blue vinyl last month. I think people still appreciate analogue sounds and physical product.
The debut record is magical, and then you made great records without ever losing your musical vision. That’s not easy at all — how did you do it?
Again, I appreciate the compliment. But I don’t consider my music as magical. I’m just trying to work, and make a living. I’ve never considered losing my musical vision, because I’m a musician. I play music. I write songs, record them, and travel around the world playing them. I’m just really grateful people want to listen.
Making a living with music isn’t easy, but the overwhelming majority of people on this planet don’t have it easy. I consider myself very lucky to be able to make music.
How do you see the future of Spain?
We’re going to keep doing The Blue Moods of Spain shows for a while. I will record an album of new material next year.
A book, a poem and a painting that you associate with the album.
James Joyce, Ulysses. Sherwood Anderson, Winesburg, Ohio. Gil Elvgren, “Beautiful Lady”.
Five jazz albums you love.
- Charlie Haden, Liberation Music Orchestra (1970)
- Charles Mingus, Mingus Mingus Mingus Mingus
- Bill Evans, Live at the Village Vanguard
- John Coltrane, Selflessness (Featuring My Favorite Things) (1969)
- Charlie Haden Quartet West, Sophisticated Ladies
Thank you very much.