The critics are wrong Minneapolis indie rockers Tapes n Tapes do not sound like Pavement. At least thats what the legendary bands drummer thinks. "We got to meet [former Pavement drummer] Bob Nastanovich in Nashville, says Matt Kretzman, Tapes n Tapes keyboardist. "He said, I really liked the record, its good, but Ive got to tell you, I dont really hear Pavement.
Hearing from a living, breathing member of Pavement that they sound nothing like their self-confessed idols was a sweet moment for Tapes n Tapes, whove been compared to the band in nearly every review. Although Kretzman says, "its flattering to be compared to a band you like, as opposed to a band you dont like, he doesnt hear Pavement in his music either.
Kretzmen must be too familiar with his own tunes, and Nastanovich is likely being modest, because its impossible to miss the Pavement references. The bands share the same minimalist indie rock production and singer Josh Griers occasionally off-tune vocals sound eerily similar to Stephen Malkmuss warble.
But where Tapes n Tapes come off the most like Pavement is in their songwriting methodology. Much like their heroes, Tapes n Tapes sound quite conventional theyre writing pretty straightforward pop songs but theres a frantic drumbeat, an odd keyboard riff, or a weird song about Manitoba that messes with the standard formula.
"If something sounds just too straight ahead, says Kretzmen, "then weve got to fuck that up a little bit and make it more interesting. We kind of allow ourselves a little more freedom to make it not sound perfect and it comes across a little more, like trains about to fall off the tracks.
Hearing from a living, breathing member of Pavement that they sound nothing like their self-confessed idols was a sweet moment for Tapes n Tapes, whove been compared to the band in nearly every review. Although Kretzman says, "its flattering to be compared to a band you like, as opposed to a band you dont like, he doesnt hear Pavement in his music either.
Kretzmen must be too familiar with his own tunes, and Nastanovich is likely being modest, because its impossible to miss the Pavement references. The bands share the same minimalist indie rock production and singer Josh Griers occasionally off-tune vocals sound eerily similar to Stephen Malkmuss warble.
But where Tapes n Tapes come off the most like Pavement is in their songwriting methodology. Much like their heroes, Tapes n Tapes sound quite conventional theyre writing pretty straightforward pop songs but theres a frantic drumbeat, an odd keyboard riff, or a weird song about Manitoba that messes with the standard formula.
"If something sounds just too straight ahead, says Kretzmen, "then weve got to fuck that up a little bit and make it more interesting. We kind of allow ourselves a little more freedom to make it not sound perfect and it comes across a little more, like trains about to fall off the tracks.