Band of the Week: Mouthful of Bees

It is not uncommon for a band's sound to mature or evolve or even develope, but with Minneapolis band Mouthful of Bees it is something more deliberate. Back in 2007, the band, founded by the brother and sister team of Chris Farstad and Katelyn Farstad, released a picture perfect album of indie rock. The End made waves around the net, but the young band continued searching for a sound and new band members. The band added Simon Larson and Patrick Swanson, and as a result their sound much more plush and expansive. The band is still relatively young so I won't say this is a more mature sound, but it is a new direction. A direction that seems soulful, relaxed and honest.

Recently, Mouthful of Bees was kind enough to answer a few of my questions.

Orange Alert (OA): Your new album is self-titled and from what I have heard is step forward sonically for the band. What can you tell us about "Mouthful of Bees"?
Mouthful of Bees (MOB): The new album sounds a lot different from the previous one because we made a conscious decision to try something different. Also, having two new members (Simon and Patrick) join the band helped break the mold of the previous songwriting and recording style.

OA: Did you approach the recording process in a different way or do you feel your sound has changed since "The End" was released?
MOB: The same recording equipment was used for both albums, but many more overdubs and layering were done with the new album. The first album was mostly written before recording it, and then when it came time to record it, it took about a week. The second album was written both before and during the recording process, and much more time was spent on it. There were also long periods of time when no one would work on it, which gave us adequate time to lose our enthusiasm for it, forget about it, then gain enthusiasm for it again and record more. It ended up being about a year between the first and final notes recorded for the new record.

OA: Both albums were released by Afternoon Records. What has your experience been like working with Ian and the Afternoon Records team?
MOB: Ian has been very supportive and encouraging since day one with us, and we are very lucky to be working with someone who is so enthusiastic about our band, and so committed to his label.

OA: Does being brother and sister strengthen the creative flow of the band or does it make it more challenging to accomplish the tasks at hand? Do you feel you work well together?
Kate Farstad (KF): It is more challenging since we (at times) can't seem to break the "were brother and sister, and that means we are genetically compelled to bitch at each other" mindset, but I think the fact that we are family sets a sense of commitment in trying to find a way to make it work. I think we have worked better together in the past, and are striving to find a way to work best together in the future. We just need to get on the same page of life, which I feel we are close to accomplishing, and this will only help our creative relationship.

OA: It may be because I am in the Midwest or because I get e-mails from Ian everyday, but it really seems like the Minneapolis scene is exploding. Do you feel Minn. is a good place to form a band? Are there opportunities there?
MOB: Minneapolis is an amazing place for music. There are so many talented, open minded musicians here who are willing to play music, that it really promotes a creative and diverse environment. There are bands of every genre in MPLS, and if there isin't an idea being expressed, someone is working on forming that missing band. Voyager RIP.

OA: What's next for Mouthful of Bees?
MOB: There are no musical plans but we’re thinking of remaining friends.

Bonus Questions:
OA: If you could sit down to coffee with anyone (alive or dead) who would it be?
Mark Ritsema (MR): Toby Keith
Micky Alfano (MA): Towns Van Zandt

OA: What was the last great book you have read?
MR: The Windup Bird Chronicles (Haruki Murakami)
Patrick Swanson: The Family Mashber (Der Nister)
KF: Dune (Frank Herbert)
Simon Larson: The Good Earth (Pearl S. Buck)
(friend of band) Peter: Some dumb computer programming book, probably.
(friend of band) Anders: Who Slashed Celanire’s Throat (Maryse Conde)

Listen to: Please and Thank You (mp3)

Mouthful of Bees 's/t' (4/21 Digital/5/21 Physical)
1. Del Boca Vista
2. Micky's Bed
3. Thomas Aquinas
4. Snow Blanket
5. Please and Thank You (mp3)
6. Enhance Your Starry Night
7. John Blackthorne
8. Appling
9. The Magic of Numbers
10. Maybe When We're Better Friends
11. Round Dance
12. Rory is Off-Limits

For more information on Mouthful of Bees please visit their website.