CHRIS WALKER VS. BANDS AND BOOZE, THE SECOND ROUND: MY BRIGHTEST DIAMOND

It’s no secret, we here at Chris Walker Versus (and by ‘we’ I mean ‘me’) adore Shara Worden and her nom de musicus: My Brightest Diamond.

Not only is Shara one of the kindest, most generous musicians I’ve become acquainted with, My Brightest Diamond’s full-length debut, Bring Me The Workhorse, is among my favorite albums of the year. It might be Shara’s lyrics – how they perfectly slip from playful to vulnerable, optimistic to sullen – that make her album so incredible. Or, perhaps, it’s the sound of Jeff Buckley’s ghost seeping through her voice as it floats, soars, wavers, erupts, and whispers across the soundscape. Then again, it might even be the brilliant collision of rock-and-roll bravado with classical sensibility that makes Bring Me The Workhorse nearly perfect. Come to think of it, it could be all of the above. All I know is from the slow build of “Something of an End” to the quiet collapse of “Workhorse”, the album paints a vivacious portrait of sonic grace – carefully captured and framed for your stereo.

Oh yeah, there’s also that little fact every time I write about My Brightest Diamond CWV goes from being a mildly offensive (depending on whom you ask), unabashedly opinionative, coarse humor laden blogsite to a place for rainbows, butterflies, coloring books, and Hello, Kitty. If you couldn’t tell, I start gushing like a school girl and use words like “elegant” and “magnficent”. It’s wild.

Ahem. Anyhow, today on Bands and Booze Ms. Shara Worden has been kind enough to play along – sharing the dangers of mixing dark beer with wine, reaffirming what evil can come from Jagermeister, and even cracking the door – ever so slightly – to let you sneak a peak at her songwriting process. You’re all in for a treat because this is one of the best interviews in the series. Oh yeah, did I mention she barely drinks?

Before I ask any drinking questions I have one very important question: are you the female reincarnation of Jeff Buckley? I know the timeline doesn’t make sense but seriously, your voice is ethereal.

Shara Worden: Ha! I wish! He was the most beautiful soul, a beautiful artist.

He definitely was. Now, your full-length debut, Bring Me The Workhorse, is incredible. I especially love “We Were Sparkling”. When you sing, “I’m afraid to forget you,” I get chills. What is your favorite song off the album to perform live?

SW: “We Were Sparkling” is one of my favorites, too. It feels like its own little secret world. I really like playing “Workhorse” too, ‘cause the Wurlitzer part is so aggressive it feels like breaking apart something. I like it when the process of making music feels so physical and active.

Like on “Freak Out”? I bet that song is a lot of fun to perform live.

SW: Yeah “Freak Out” is super fun to play. I never thought that tune would make the record ‘cause I’d written it sort of as an exercise in writing three minute tunes and felt really playful about it. At the time it seemed stylistically extreme for the record. I played it for the drummer, Earl Harvin, and he was like, “You know, it’s not as out of context as you think”, so we went for it and recording it with Earl was so fun. We were cracking up.

If it’s not to bold to ask, who is the “he” you’re referring to in the song?

SW: I think the details of the situation that inspired the tune are less interesting for me to reveal because I think when you put a song in a public place its meaning expands as people define it for themselves. But generally speaking, for me, it’s about playful revenge on some boy that me and my friend are mad at and we wanna go burn his house down. My violent streak sneaks out.

Nice. So, what has been the craziest thing – or most intriguing thing – a fan has ever done to get your attention at a show?

SW: One guy had a diamond tattoo on his forehead and was wearing a tee shirt that said “Marry Me Ma Cherie”.

Wow, that’s…different. So, James told me you don’t really drink but when you’re on the road touring and you actually feel like having a strong drink what is it typically?

SW: Chateau l’affite 1984. It’s a Bordeaux. Extremely rare. Extremely delicious. If that’s not available, there’s always Oban.

You have excellent taste! Is there any alcohol you absolutely will not touch or any alcohol that’s done you wrong in the past?

SW: I live near a bowling alley in Brooklyn and one night I’d had friends over for dinner, and had a bottle of wine. Then we went to the bowling alley and Pete the bartender in the red bowtie served us up dark draft beer. I had a plastic cup’s worth, bowled a 98, and was so sick the next morning. I heard myth busters just dispelled this, but I’m not so sure that the saying “wine before beer, you’ll feel queer” is untrue. I love red wine, and I like dark beer at the bowling alley, but the combination of it all was very negative.

Yeah, wine before beer is definitely asking for trouble. If anything, it should be consumed the other way around. Beer before wine and you’ll feel fine? I don’t know, never tried it. I don’t think. Anyhow, I asked Annie Clark of St. Vincent this same question, and I know it’s a horrible one to ask an artist, but I’m intrigued: how do you go about your song writing process?

SW: Oh, I love Annie! She’s great! Sufjan is doing a tour in Europe this November and My Brightest Diamond is doing a US tour at the same time so I wanted to find a person that would be able to do what I do in Sufjan’s band and I found Annie. I’m excited about her record, too. So anyway, the song writing process – a massive subject. I am an internal processor so I tend to write fewer songs. My gestation period is sometimes long, but I tend not to throw many songs away. Most songs start with an idea, an event, a feeling that I want to explore, and I’ll ruminate on that for a while, then sit down for 10 minutes – 10 hours and write. Music and words often come all together now. There is a certain discipline that is required though, and I’ve gone through seasons of writing a tune a week, or writing exercise songs. You have to work on your skill so that when inspiration comes your technique is there to support you. I think now I’m interested in trying to write more for the voice. Prince, Antony, and Jeff Buckley were so great at that and I tend to be very committed to my melodies and text and sometimes I think that chokes a song. The voice needs to have space to move and breathe, and that’s what I’d like to explore now, less rigid structures.

Very interesting. Speaking of Sufjan, you’re label-mates with him and perform on his albums. He doesn’t really seem like a big party animal but if the lead singer of Keane can go into rehab I guess anyone can be wild. Do you have any good drinking stories about him?

SW: On the subject of rehab, I have lots of sober friends, so I’m quite sensitive to the subject and seek moderation in my own life. I just designed a tee shirt for Yellow Bird Project and all the proceeds go to an organization called Road Recovery that works to help rock and rollers get to rehab and hook them up with sober roadies and do lots of other cool stuff. I am sort of a workaholic and a bit protective about maintaining my vocal health so I am not often drawn to use drugs or alcohol compulsively. I’ve even switched to decaf (It’s embarrassing to confess, but the caffeine dehydrates you and vocal folds need water, water, water!). As for Sufjan, he is a secret. As for Whitney Houston, I want her back to her fullest self.

Don’t we all? That’s really interesting about the rehab programs, I never would’ve guessed you were involved with them. I’ll be sure to link to both once this is posted. Moving on, I don’t know if it’s the fact I’ve spent the last two weeks in Germany and Italy listening to your album but your sound seems very European to me. What is your favorite European city you’ve been to?

SW: Paris, Paris, Paris!!!

I have been to Paris many times but I keep discovering new things about it and fall deeper in love with it each visit. It’s so completely feminine and romantic. I was there this last June and had a few hours to myself, so I dashed to the carousel nearest the Eiffel Tower and road around several times.

That carousel is the most enchanting thing in the world! Where else can you hear Edith Piaf songs churning in the calliope while atop your horse, the world spinning in a blur? It’s perfect bliss. On the American side of things, we were just in New Orleans to play at the House of Blues and it reminded me of Paris so much. I am married to New York, but having a love affair with New Orleans. I lived in New Orleans when I was little so I was flooded with all these memories…it was really emotional being there and seeing what a ghost town it is. It is so rich in beauty and history. I just hope it doesn’t turn it into Disneyland or Detroit.

That makes two of us. Okay, here’s your chance to blow us all away: do you have any good drinking stories that show the wild side of Shara from My Brightest Diamond? Fun, embarrassing, stupid, it doesn’t matter.

SW: I had one sip of Jagermeister last week after a show and then threw a chair at my violin player. He’d played a wrong note or something and I felt like making a point. We made up afterwards and he’s been playing perfectly ever since.

That’s awesome. So, if there were to be an alcoholic drink called “My Brightest Diamond” how would I make one and what would the ingredients be?

SW: Dragonfly wings for their iridescent and flight enhancing qualities, Veuve Cliquot for bubbles, fairy dust for luck, a pink rock candy stick for sparkles and one raspberry for decadence. For serving up this diamond drink, I’d have to invent a new glass that was triangularly shaped, something like a martini glass, chilled of course. Note that dragonflies should never be caught and wings should never be pulled off, they can only be found.

Of course. Well, that about does it for us; it’s been a pleasure. Before we finish up are there any other more fun stories, tales, words of wisdom, imparting gifts you’d like to share?

SW: I want to make the recommendation that if you happen to be in the East Village and need a pint of cider, you are going to be very hard pressed, until you make your way to St. Dymphna’s Irish pub on 8th Street. There you will find a deliciously chilled pint and a yummy Shepherd’s Pie. Or if you like more grit in your beer, then you should definitely stop by McSorley’s on your way back to the subway. Make your way to the bar through the fighting boys and sawdust by swinging across the dusty chandeliers. You will then have a choice of either dark or light beer and will be served two half pints for a reasonable price. If you are a lady, it still feels rather rebellious to be there. They were the last boys only club for a long time, you know.

I didn’t know but if I’m ever in the East Village I’ll check those places out. They sound like fun. Okay, so we’re done. All that’s left is the final question I ask everyone: which are better: ninjas, pirates, or Vikings?

SW: Always Pirates.

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My Brightest Diamond is currently touring the US; for tour dates*, downloadable MP3s, updates, pictures, and much, much more on My Brightest Diamond visit the links below:

My Brightest Diamond Official Site.

My Brightest Diamond on MySpace.

* If you go to the Chicago show you’ll probably run into friend of Chris Walker Versus and inebriated blogger: Ruckus Maximus. He’ll be at that show.

To learn more about Yellow Bird Project, support the cause, purchase the shirt Shara designed, or buy shirts designed by other artists visit the links below:

Yellow Bird Project.

Quick link to: Chris Walker Versus’ favorite shirt.

To learn more about the music without drugs program, Road Recovery, visit the link below:

Road Recovery.

And finally: Looks like I’m not the only one who thinks Shara sounds like Jeff Buckley.