Feb

23

Broken Spindles

Filed Under Updates 

Joel Petersen, founding member of dance-punk band The Faint, arrives in Moscow on Tuesday of this week touring with his solo project, Broken Spindles. The Omaha, Nebraska based project began 8 years ago as a soundtrack for a friend’s film, and has seen the release of 5 albums since 2002.

The music finds some natural common-ground with The Faint, particularly in the use of synthetic sound, but remains distinct, following a different musical vision. Petersen has emphasized the freedom afforded by the solo project and past tours have experimented with visual accompaniment and varying groups of players. Petersen spoke with us via email about Broken Spindles and some of his goals for the project.

Stereopathic: You already have a primary career as a frontman for a successful band, so what does Broken Spindles allow you to do that being a part of the Faint doesn’t?

Joel Petersen: being in any band requires a lot of democracy and quite frankly sometimes that turns into bureaucracy. i think i started broken spindles to give myself the feeling of ‘following your gut’ again. and even to this day, i try to maintain that. i want this band to be expressive and of the moment. i think there is truth in that and that interests me a great deal. not to say the faint isn’t truthful, it is just the culmination of 5 peoples version of truth. so yeah, i guess i am a bit selfish and want it all to myself.

S: Do you view the visual origins of the project as an essential aspect of its makeup currently?

JP: yes and no. yes because i think art is art and it doesn’t matter what medium you choose to work in. no because i am mostly interested in songwriting at this point in time. i am sure that will change in due time and i will get back to thinking more visually.

S: Are you going to have a film component on this tour? And are you going to be touring with a group again?

JP: this tour will be a ‘band’ version of broken spindles without any video accompaniment. it has been a lot of fun translating the songs with this arrangement, i think things are rocking a bit more than they ever have.

S: I read somewhere that you’ve been trying to find a way to balance the human and the machine on kiss/kick. Why does that sort of dichotomy seem important to you?

JP: i think i have always been a somewhat reactionary person and it is interesting to pit opposites against each other to see what happens. i guess i am trying to set up a cause and effect relationship to see what comes out. hopefully some truth.

Listen to “Introvert”

Hear Broken Spindls live in Moscow, ID on Tuesday night (02/24) at the American Legion Cabin.  Doors open at 8:00PM and tickets are $5.

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