UK natives The Staves have embarked on an intensive Midwest tour, playing shows in Minnesota and Wisconsin. The tour follows the group’s recent move to Minnesota after finding a love for the area. The folk rock trio is comprised of three sisters, Emily (vocals/keys), Jessica (vocals/guitar) and Camila (vocals/ukulele/guitar). After releasing their first full-length album, ‘Dead & Born & Grown’, and later their following album, ‘If I was’, produced by Wisconsin native Justin Vernon (Bon Iver), the group has experienced explosive success.
The Staves’ growing resume is nothing short of impressive. The trio has played alongside legendary artists such as Bon Iver and opened for Florence and the Machine. The sisters have also become experienced in the performing world, as they have been touring for years and playing notorious gigs such as Glastonbury and Eaux Claires Festival in Wisconsin. Their current Midwest tour follows the group’s most recent release, a three song EP entitled ‘Sleeping in a Car’.
The Staves have recently introduced a unique idea on their tour, inviting local bands to submit entries of their music for a chance to support them during one of their Wisconsin and Minnesota dates. The group released the following statement on the contest: “We are so excited to head out on this run of special Midwestern shows and we are asking YOU to make it even more special by opening the show for us! We want to get to know these cities and the people in them and what better way than to have local talent support us on stage.” The Staves received over one hundred entries from local artists across the four dates the contest applies to. The group selected local Milwaukee band, Hello Death, a “dark folk band” to support them at the Turner Ballroom.
Guitarist and Vocalist Jessica discussed touring the Midwest, their opening band contest, and advice for other musicians in the following interview:
You’re no stranger to the Midwest considering that you have three upcoming sold out shows and you’ve also notoriously performed at Eaux Claires festival, how’s it been so far?
The first time we played in Minneapolis was in 2012 and we rolled into town in a fleet of VW campervans with Nathaniel Rateliff, Ben Howard and Bear’s Den. Our name was in lights outside the venue – it was so fun. We’ve been coming back to (predominantly) Eau Claire since early 2013 and it’s become the place where we create and record music – at Justin Vernon’s April Base studio. This year we were basically commuting to Eau Claire from Watford (our hometown in England) to rehearse with Bon Iver (we toured with them in Australia and Asia) and to record. Then we booked our first US headline tour in 3 years and decided to relocate out here and recruit local musicians and crew to go out on the road with us. So basically – yes – there has been a strong pull to this area for the last few years.
Are there any differences in performing in the Midwest from elsewhere?
I don’t know if I can tell. It varies so much from city to city in the US and even in the Midwest. Last time we played in Minneapolis the crowd were so quiet and respectful and lovely. And last time we played in Madison the crowd was way more in party mode – but still a great crowd. I think it depends on the kind of venue you’re playing at and at what time you’re on. (I think it does all around the world, really.) In general, I feel people appreciate creativity and the artistry involved in music, but really our fans are amazing everywhere we go and make us feel very supported.
Your sound is usually described as ‘folk rock.’ How has that description evolved over the years especially with your most recent release Sleeping in a Car?
Yes, it’s funny how you’re described. I don’t really mind how people describe us. I don’t feel we’re a folk band. We don’t play fiddles or mandolins or sing songs about shipwrecks or whatever. And we’re not a traditional rock band. We’re just … who we are. I feel more that we’re singers and songwriters and have added instruments to that over the years. And here’s where we ended up! I usually say ‘we’re sisters and write our own songs and we sing in a lot of 3-part harmonies.’ Sleeping In A Car is an example of where we’re at musically. It’s a progression from If I Was. We learned a lot making that album and grew so much as artists and producers and so this EP has given us a chance to experiment a bit more and mostly have fun. It felt freeing not doing a full-length release.
I understand that you got your start from performing at Open Mic nights and opening up for other artists, how has that changed the way you view your opening bands/did it inspire you to create the contest?
We have been the opening band for years. Even since doing our own headline tours in different countries, you still end up opening for bigger bands. I really like it and its taught me so much. From seeing how other bands perform and interact with a crowd to the inner workings of a tour. How the crew is and how everyone gets on. What do hey have on their rider? We’ve made great friends from being the openers – that’s how we first met the Bon Iver guys for example – but also we’ve benefitted so much from being exposed to new audiences. You make new fans and you carry them with you. We’ve got fans who saw us open for bands in 2009 and now come to our shows and we see them wearing Staves t-shirts in the crowds. Its an amazing thing really. Also when you’re a local band its hard to find opportunities to play, and we’ve experienced that, when you’re unsigned and don’t have a manager etc. So we thought it would be cool for us to see what music each city has to offer! And hopefully the bands opening for us will have a laugh and sell some CDs.
Considering that those who submitted entries to your contest would love to open up for you, which artist/band would be your dream to support?
Crosby, Stills and Nash (if they ever play together again). Or Kate Bush. Or Patti Smith. Ah – I don’t know!
A lot of people are familiar with your work with Wisconsin native Justin Vernon (Bon Iver), how has that shaped you as musicians?
It’s hard to say, really. I think that we learned a lot from working with him about arranging songs. He’s kind of a sonic architect and it was a thrill to see him realize his ideas and to collaborate with him on our songs. Also as a guitarist I had a great deal of fun geeking out with him over pedals and guitars and amps. And jamming together. He has also become a great friend which has helped with the music, too. Everything is linked.
Do you have any advice for other young musicians that look up to you?
Don’t look up to us – we don’t know what we’re doing…! My advice is to be true to yourself and trust your instincts and don’t be afraid to say no to things. I remember feeling like we couldn’t say no to anything as we’d feel like we might be missing out on opportunities, but you realize that most things will come around again. And a good opportunity is only a good one if you’re at the right stage in your career to capitalize on it. Like, for example, if you’re an unknown band, getting a gig playing a huge stage at a festival might seem like a once in a lifetime dream, but if you don’t have all the things in place to capitalize on it then it’s pointless. You’d be better off playing a small tour and connecting with fans on that level a building a loyal following.
Also I think it’s important to not put too much online before you’re ready. You don’t want to be a band that people feel have been floating around for ages. You want to make each thing you put out have an impact and feel meaningful.
It’s very easy to be shaped by other people’s ideas of what kind of artist or band you should be, and it gets harder when more people get involved in what you do (managers, record labels, etc.). You have to be confident in what it is YOU want to do, and what feels right. And it’s really important to have a team of people around you that you trust. You will need that support network so much.
Find more on the Staves at: www.thestaves.com
Find more on Hello Death at: https://hellodeath.net