REDISCOVERING THE HUNGER Tindersticks

Dec 26, 2008

Frontman Stuart Staples on inspiration and maturation.

BY KENNY HERZOG

It had been five years since Tindersticks, one of Britain's most charismatically moody ensembles, unveiled a full-length of their theatrically moving melancholy. But finally, The Hungry Saw (CST) came along earlier this year, providing yet another feast of baroque eloquence. And while many thought they'd disbanded as the years passed on and frontman Stuart Staples dabbled in solo ventures, it was merely an imperative time apart. Like any relationship, the participants needed a break to rediscover the magnetism that initially drew them to one another. But much has still changed in the 15 years since their self-titled debut. Below, Staples breaks down the motivation and muses that first sparked Tindersticks' chemistry, versus the creative fires that were lit in preparation for The Hungry Saw. (The band will be doing some rare tour dates in the U.S. this spring; itinerary follows the interview.)

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What was the motivation for getting together and making music?

Then: "Playing music was our escape from reality. Gradually, making music became the reality. This was probably one of the hardest things we ever had to get over, like having something precious slowly stolen from you, with only yourself to blame."

Now: "In making The Hungry Saw, I think we found that feeling of escape again or just appreciated the sense of freedom, and even magic, that can come from making music."

Who were your chief creative muses?

Then as Now: "Songs come from ideas and feelings that itch inside and can't be soothed until they have been realized. Sometimes it feels as if there are no choices involved."

Did you have an idea of the sound or mood you were seeking to craft?

Then: "Our first album took us all by surprise. We had some idea, but not to the depth and power of what we were making. This brought a feeling of total elation, and to be honest, a feeling I have not experienced since. Like you are only allowed that feeling once."

Now: "With this album, it was the first time since maybe our second album that we didn't have to talk about music or what we wanted to make. It was all just about getting together with some kind of desire, being open and seeing where that took us."

What were your primary outlets for non-musical recreation?

Then: "Our first album was fueled by Holsten Pils, vodka and eating the hottest curries on the menu.

Now: "These days it's more about wine and cooking for each other (though the vodka still has its days)... We have always had a laugh. And now we live in different parts of Europe, so it makes our time together feel even more precious."

Was there a goal in mind beyond the music itself, or was it the means to its own end?

Then as Now: "I suppose it's always been about a sense of progression, about going further into something, and getting closer. Though when we were young, we would throw ourselves at walls to achieve this."

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Tindersticks 2009 Tour Dates:

Feb 5 2009 8:00P

La Carene, Brest Brest

Feb 6 2009 9:00P

L'Olympic, Nantes Nantes

Feb 7 2009 9:00P

Krakatoa, Bordeaux Bordeaux

Feb 8 2009 9:00P

L'Auditori, Barcelona Barcelona

Feb 9 2009 9:00P

Teatro Haagen Dazs, Madrid Madrid

Feb 10 2009 9:00P

Teatro Victoria Eugenia, Donostia-San Sebastián Donostia-San Sebastián

Feb 13 2009 9:00P

Coliseum, Lisbon Lisbon

Feb 16 2009 9:00P

Teatro Cervantes, Malaga Malaga

Mar 4 2009 9:00P

World Cafe Live Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Mar 5 2009 9:00P

930 Club Washington DC, Washington DC

Mar 6 2009 9:00P

Masonic Temple, Brooklyn New York, New York

Mar 7 2009 9:00P

Somerville Theatre Boston, Massachusetts

Mar 9 2009 9:00P

La Salla Rossa Montreal, Quebec

Mar 10 2009 9:00P

Opera House, Toronto Toronto, Ontario

Mar 12 2009 9:00P

Epiphany Episcopal Church, Chicago Chicago, Illinois

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