Just a few weeks ago Cable Car released their first EP called “Ride“. I was able to listen to the EP before it was released to write the review and I couldn’t find one bad thing to say about the whole EP. It was put together so well done and really show cases their talents like a EP should.
Cable Car is made up of three guys, Nathan Mott on vocals, Jack Turner on Guitar, Ryan Murphy on drums. When you listen to the EP you can tell these guys get along, and after reading their answers I could tell they are really good friends besides just bandmates. I have to say I love doing these interviews because it gives you and me the chance to get to know the artist, and now I might have a little crush on all of the guys with the answers they gave.
So for your reading pleasure here is my interview with Cable Car.
First off I want to say you guys put out an amazing EP called “Ride“. You guys will be making the charts really soon with the amazing sound you have and the EP was so well done. So tell us how did you guys meet and when did you know forming a band together would be a good idea?
Nate: Ryan and I had played together back in Rhode Island a bit and we’re influential in pushing each other to LA. We ended up getting apartments in the same complex, which was amazingly convenient for continuing to write. While we were formulating the first ideas of a new project, this cheeky English chap Jack Turner moved into the complex and the rest was….
Ryan: After a few impromptu jam sessions, I think we realized we had a really cohesive partnership that was also becoming a great writing/performing unit. The band sort of formed itself.
Jack: Needless to say meeting these guys really made my life in LA a whole lot better. And we started playing music together pretty quickly! I went round to Nate’s one night and he had a couple of beautiful acoustic guitars hung up. I asked to play them and we started jamming. Nate was like ‘you should play with us, let me send you a couple songs to find parts for’. I was pretty rusty so I said ‘OK but you can drop me anytime.’. They haven’t done that yet and I hope they don’t…
What is the song writing process like?
Ryan: It’s actually quite fluid. Each song is its own little project, and we try our best to give each one the time, space, and care it needs and deserves, while trying to keep it raw and fresh.
I have to say I like the name you guys came up with for the band. How did you come up with that name?
Ryan: We put 12 names on a dartboard and had Jack throw a dart, blindfolded, at the board. Hence, Cable Car. An inch higher and we’d have been Chil Pollins.
I see you guys have played some shows in L.A. Will you be going on tour soon? If so what places will you be playing at?
Nate: We have had a couple of bangers at The Mint and Room 5 recently and we have our official EP release show at Molly Malones the 27th of June (8:15) if you’re interested. Its been a blast getting Cable Car onto the stage. We had our songs written for sometime without performing so to see that they are road worthy was such a relief! As for a tour we definitely will be showing our music to the planet. But first we are introducing ourselves to the city. The larger tour will come soon after.
Are there any certain places you want to play at and see?
Nate: There is something incurably romantic about traveling to a new city. For me it doesn’t matter which. Each city breaths its own life and unique personality. I want to get to know them all!
Jack: I’d love to play up in San Francisco where I used to live. The Fillmore would be incredible; it has such good sound there, as well as history.
Ryan: I think the more we travel, the more varied our exposure will be to what forms of music and expression are captivating this planet, and hopefully help us frame our minds when we create.
I know the EP was just released, but are you guys working on new music again? If not when do you think you will be working on new music?
Ryan: We never stop working, ever. Expect new music at any time…seriously!
Jack: So much new music! There’s a dancier track that actually started as a ballad. We have about 6 songs that are 80% written that we want to blow up into fully produced tracks. Also we’re adding instrumentation to our early demos to flesh them out for a more acoustic set of songs.
Nate: We are absolutely working on new music. When the time comes to get back into the studio we want to have a wide selection to choose from. Also I don’t think it’s possible for us to stop writing.
Ryan: I think each of us would give a different answer. Maybe not, maybe we all enjoyed one in particular, but haven’t discussed it yet. We wrote and recorded the record in steps, so each song really had particular consideration and loving care given in its production.
Nate: My favorite song is “Wait for Me” track 5 on the EP. We were all really able to put ourselves into this one. It was as if each on of us took turns passing a paintbrush painting new layers until it become this rich sonic landscape.
What do you guys like to listen to and have you incorporated it in the songs you write?
Ryan: I listen to a mind-numbing amount of music. I’d say at the moment, the most influential music to me is hip-hop (a blanket statement for a true blanket artistic movement). I also draw a lot on mainstream pop, anything with a really incredible hook. Scandinavian rock has been one of my main influences for years, and bands like Cult of Luna, Convoj, Arabrot, Breach, and Callisto inject this really fantastic mood into their craft. The feels are incredible. Something in the water up north, I guess.
Jack: I’m starting to listen to pop for the first time, and I’m loving it. The new Justin Timberlake record is fantastic, and the Daft Punk Album is incredible. To play pop you have to be so precise with your structure and you’re playing and not have it stifle creativity. Also, each section of the song is often wildly different to the other, and so if you have a three-section song it’s like writing three small songs! That’s a good thing for us because we have so many diverse ideas we love and it’s great to see how they come together into one track.
Nate: There is no way to not let the music influence what you do!
Right now my favorite playlist looks like this:
Lost Without You – Robin Thicke
Adorn – Miguel
Blurred Lines – Robin Thicke, T.I, Pharrel
Thinkin Bout You – Frank Ocean
The Seed – The Roots
That Girl – Justin Timberlake
Valerie – Amy Winehouse
The Woman in You – Ben Harper
Pyramids – Frank Ocean
Closer – Tegan and Sara
Sex is on Fire – Kings of Leon
Anything Could Happen – Ellie Goulding
Besides music what do you like to do in your free time?
Ryan: I am a longtime fan of Manchester United, and I watch the majority of the EPL matches per week (English Premier League), as well as quite a few Bundesliga, La Liga, Ligue 1, and Serie A matches…whatever is on and I can DVR. I really enjoy art and historical museums. And to balance it all out, I’m known to go on a good shopping and fine eating spree. Usually listening to music.
Nate: I’m always cooking. Can’t get enough of it really. Love me a good hike. My favorite thing to do however is to get in my car whenever time allows pick a direction and drive. Once I’ve found somewhere I think is interesting I spend the night and explore my surroundings.
Jack: Act, exercise, read. Drink.
For someone starting out in the business what type of advice would you like to give them?
Jack: Find people you love working with who have no ego. Good luck with that! But if you do it you’ll be so happy creating and it will show in the final product.
Nate: If I could have talked to myself years ago I would have said Self, “Learn everything you can about the music industry not just the music and don’t ever make music that is anything other that what feels right for your heart.
Ryan: Find a box. Bust out of it. Repeat.
