Westward bound

If Adam Selzer worked exclusively in his capacity as a producer at his Type Foundry studio, he would still be a central figure in the Portland music community. As things are, however, he also lends his talents to several bands. Most notably Norfolk and Western, which he has helmed for the past several years as the group has cycled through a rotation of A-list Portland musicians. The band’s current membership is Selzer, bassist Dave Depper and drummer and ex-Decemberist Rachel Blumberg. Recently, I got the chance to speak with Selzer about Norfolk and Western, the Type Foundry and the challenges facing a working musician.

Through Norfolk and Western and your myriad other projects, you’ve become an integral part of the Portland music community. What do you think it is about Portland that has created this singular atmosphere, which has spawned so many excellent artists? I think the main reason is due to its affordability. The ratio of rent to music culture is very appealing to young people. And it feeds off itself: As more people come to town, there is a larger music community. Unfortunately, living costs will inevitably rise as a result–we’re seeing that now. It’s still cheaper than San Francisco or New York or Chicago, though….

It seemed for a while that Norfolk and Western was constantly shifting lineups. Was this something that was happening on purpose, or was it a result of circumstances? Usually circumstances. Rachel has been a part of it for a long time, and Dave Depper has been a mainstay and huge part of the band for a few years now, so really it’s the three of us at this point. Then we see what we need depending on the situation and other people’s availability. We don’t really rehearse much as a band–we just get together before recording or touring so we don’t really need a steady lineup. There are positives and negatives with this scenario, but it seems like the only way to do it at this point due to everyone’s busy schedules.

What would you say are the biggest differences between touring in Europe versus touring in the States? The food. Good food is everywhere in Europe. There is no good food off the interstate highways!

After your successes with The Unsung Colony, what direction are you going to try and take your music on your next recording? The new record we’re working on now is going to be a bit more streamlined. Less orchestration and more guitar-piano oriented. We recorded a batch of songs at a studio in Spain in November when we were there for a festival. We’ve also recorded a few more at Type Foundry, and I mixed a couple with Tucker Martine yesterday. It’s been kind of a slow process, but we’ve been pretty busy and just now are starting to spend more time on it, and I’m pretty excited about it. I think it’s going to be pretty different than the last record. I like the last one but I want to do something less “grand” and more immediate.

When you’re composing songs, do you start with a particular instrumentation in mind or do you create a musical basis and then add sounds as you see fit? Both. It depends on the song, but usually the song will tell us what it wants. I like to add a lot of things and then start taking things away, seeing what is necessary and what is just confusing things. The new record we’re working on now is going to be a bit more streamlined.

Would you say that the band has become a more collaborative project as you’ve progressed? Yes, for sure. At first it was just me; now it’s much more of a collaborative band. It’s more fun that way!

Over the past few months I’ve talked with a lot of bands that had really positive things to say about recording at Type Foundry. What would you say were some of your favorite recording experiences in recent memory? Well, my favorite record I did last year was the Weinland record, which is coming out in March. It’s really great! I also worked a lot on the new M. Ward record, which is coming out this summer. Working with Loch Lomond was really fun, and that’s a great record. I just did a record with Scott McCaughy and Steve Wynn–it’s all songs about baseball! I recorded the new Fernando record–it’s great. I’m not sure when it’s coming out, though. Also, last summer I recorded the first A. Weather album. I think that’s coming out soon….

Given that you’re a “music industry” type, where do you think bands should be looking in the future to make a living off their music given that the recording industry is in such a state of disarray? I don’t consider myself a “music industry” type…. that makes me feel like I should wear a white blazer and reside in L.A.! But, I think bands have to start being creative with the way they get their music out there. It’s harder for bands to use the tried-and-true model anymore, and maybe that will force scenes to be more localized. It’s really hard for a band to tour the country and make any money without a label paying for publicity and making sure their records are in the stores and on the radio. I’m convinced that the Internet is the main vehicle of getting music out to other people. I’m not sure how it will manifest itself in the long run-there will probably be very different ideas for different bands. Some things will work for some bands, not for others.

What does Norfolk and Western have planned for the upcoming year?Finishing the record and hopefully release it and [touring] in the fall. We’re doing a two- or three-week tour this April with Weinland, and Rachel and I will be out on tour with M. Ward this summer, so the fall seems like the time to do it.

Norfolk and Western will be playing Saturday, Jan. 26 at the Doug Fir. The show starts at 9 p.m. and cover is $6. 21-plus.