One year ago you probably hadn’t heard of Bombadil (The Durham-based eclectic, mystical roots-rock band, not the Tolkein character. Certainly you’d heard of him.) But thanks to a busy tour schedule—including stops at Shakori Hills Festival and Portland’s Pickathon—some glowing press and a legion of seriously devoted fans, their profile has seriously been heightened. With a new record, titled “Tarpits and Canyonlands,” coming out this summer on Ramseur Records, home of The Avett Brothers, Bombadil feels like a band that won’t be playing local clubs much longer. Check them out this Friday, April 10, at Lincoln Theatre with Charlotte’s Benji Hughes and Lost in the Trees. They’ll also be on-air on WKNC-FM at 5 p.m.
In between their radio appearance and the Lincoln Theatre show, they’ll be cooking dinner for the winner of a contest they’re holding to see who can come up with the most creative way of spreading the word about the show.
Guitarist Bryan Rahija answered a few questions about the band’s inception and what exactly the winner of that contest should expect to be served for dinner.
1.Give me the exact story of how you and Daniel met in Bolivia. How do you think Bombadil would be different if you’d met in a less exotic locale?
Daniel and I were on a study abroad program and encountered each other on the stairwell of the history building of La Paz’s main university. We had actually been playing in a badly-named classic rock cover band in the semester beforehand and somehow didn’t realize we’d be spending the next semester in the same place. I think the bombing in Madrid changed Daniel’s plans at the last minute.
Bolivia probably was more about a sense of adventure than it was about the sights and sounds particular to the country. Back at home it’s easy to get swept up in routine and responsibility…but after enough 16 hour rides on what is called ‘the death train’, notions like trying to make a rock and roll band your principle occupation start to sound like good ideas. In that sense the novelty and exoticism probably added an energy to what we were trying to do.
2. In the video that Ramseur Records made for the making of “Tarpits and Canyonlands,” you describe this record as the “Broadway era of the band,” because of this record’s emphasis on on vocals and harmonies. Are you actually influenced at all by showtunes and do you have a
favorite musical?
Unfortunately our experience with musicals is limited—Stuart was the music director of some production or another in college, but I think it was sort of a one-time thing. Other than that, the only other experience under our collective belts is my negligible role in an 8th grade rendition of “Bye Bye Birdie.”
But yes, on certain songs on this upcoming record we tried to give each vocal line its own specific voicings or attitudes… almost as if there is dialogue taking place between the different characters wandering around inside the songs. I’m one of those people that prefers to think my refrigerator or coffee machine is actually run by teams of little worker gnomes, cheerily slaving away to preserve my vegetables or brew a cup of coffee, so I appreciate anything that helps me imagine life beyond the surface level. It’s not necessarily my favorite aesthetic, but theatre does have a lot of different characters lurking around in their songs.
Does “Labyrinth” count as a favorite musical?
3. Why Bombadil and not Treebeard or The Riders of Rohan?
A good friend of ours actually suggested we use the name Bombadil. He was reading the Lord of the Rings and had just come across the character and thought the music we were making sounded something like the music Tom himself would’ve made. We took a look at the passage with the character and identified with his position in the story. He’s just sort of off in his own world, enjoying a humble existence with his wife and his songs and his woods. That seems like a good way to live life to me! Riders of Rohan does have a nice ring to it, though.
4. What instrument would you most like to learn?
I wish I was halfway decent at drums—they are easily the most fun instrument of all time.
5. What are you planning to cook for the winners of your photo contest?
James has been perfecting an excellent curry-lentil concotion—very tasty and good for you. We also may have some leftover homemade chocolate mousse at that point… and I’ve been holding onto a yuca for a special occasion. We’ll probably confer with our winners to see what they feel like.
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