When the Relevant Music Blog first came into existence, The Acorn was there. When we shared our favorite albums of 2007 with each other, The Acorn was there. But The Acorn was there in the form of hyperlinks and jpegs, informally sitting on the internet, on a myspace page and without a truly mutual relationship with the ReleBlog. Today, The Acorn is here. The latest MBG comes way of Rolf Klausener, lead man behind Canada’s finest indie folk band. They’re finally coming to the US for a few shows, and a proper release of Glory Hope Mountain will hit American shelves on March 4th (this Tuesday!). Let’s get to know Rolf properly:
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Dylan: Let’s do it Rolf, what’s your favorite CD right now and why?
Rolf: Boxhead Ensemble “Two Brothers”
It’s my “I’m-sequestering-myself-in-my-room-and-catching-up-on-reading-so-don’t-come-a-knockin’ ” music.
It’s also nice for late night cuddles.
Dylan: I haven’t heard that yet, but I’ll definitely check it out. Tell us about the best show you’ve seen recently.
Rolf: SNAILHOUSE at the London Outdoor Living Arts festival, August 2007.
Mikey Feuerstack is a dear friend, one of the funniest humans alive and an achingly sublime songwriter.
That day, he confided that he had developed a polyp on his vocal chords that was going to require treatment and perhaps surgery; it was an upsetting confession to say the least. Later that night, he performed a heart-wrenching set of new songs and old favourites, all the while struggling to reach notes that never eluded him before, his voice raspier than it had ever been. Regardless, the set was outstanding and reminded me — not that i ever forgot — that Mike is easily one of Canada’s greatest, living songwriters.
Dylan: I’m really appreciating all this Canadian music history. Now how about sharing a nice tour memory?
Rolf: In no particular order:
i) Driving from Victoria BC to Revelstoke BC, listening to episodes of CBC’s Ideas and NPR’s This American Life.
ii) Breaking into the swimming pool at a hotel in Lethbridge Alberta at 3am.
iii) Playing to a sold out audience at Winnipeg’s legendary West End Cultural Centre.
Dylan: So Canadian (except the NPR part). But how about a philosophical/theological thought you’d like to share with the ReleBlog
Rolf: Eat meat.
Dylan: I like that. Are you reading anything interesting these days?
Rolf: – “The Elements of Style (Illustrated)” – Strunk, White, Kalman – improving my use of semi-colons, ellipses and paranthetical expressions.
– “Japan: As Viewed By 17 Creators” – Various Artists/Authors – learning that the French and Japanese can get along and create gorgeous, graphic short stories.
– “tropical truth: a story of music & revolution in brazil” – Caetano Veloso – I want to build a time machine, go back to 1968 and make love to Gal Costa.
Dylan: The Academy Awards are over, but what are you wearing?
Rolf: – plaid, flannel pajama pants, brown t-shirt from the Apollo club in Thunder Bay Ontario, and an olive green cardigan from AA.
Dylan: I’m glad that Canada can get down with the sweatshop free American Apparel too. Good stuff. Is there anything you’d like to say about Glory Hope Mountain?
Rolf: If anyone would have told me that I would have recorded an album that featured a sexy woman on the cover (in this case, my mother) Ã la Roxy Music or Santana, I would have laughed and pee’d in their eyes. Guess who’s got the pee-eye now.
Dylan: Well, this interview really teetered on some sort of obscene line, but I think we’ll be okay. Thank you Rolf.
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hurry up and catch their tour:
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Union Hall |
Brooklyn, New York |
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Maxwell’s |
Hoboken, New Jersey |
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Mercury Lounge |
NYC, New York |
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Horseshoe – CMW |
Toronto, Ontario |
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Shuba’s |
Chicago, Illinois |
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Dan’s Silver Leaf |
Denton, Texas |
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SXSW – Habano Calle 6 |
Austin, Texas |
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SXSW |
Austin, Texas |
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SXSW |
Austin, Texas |
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Black Sheep Inn |
Wakefield, Quebec |
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Black Sheep Inn |
Wakefield, Quebec |
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www.paperbagrecords.com
“your brother said your mother is a firefly buried in the earth”
