Django Haskins of The Old Ceremony joined Aaron Keck on Live & Local this month, following the release of the band’s new album “Earthbound” – their first in nine years.
One of the Triangle’s most iconic and influential bands this century, The Old Ceremony first came together back in 2004; they’re celebrating their 20th anniversary this year. (“It snuck up on us,” Haskins says, “but it really is remarkable that we’ve been together this long.”) After releasing five acclaimed albums in a prolific eight-year span from 2004-12, The Old Ceremony slowed down a bit when its members started having kids of their own – but the band never went away, continuing to wow audiences on stage both locally and on tour.
And now with “Earthbound,” they’re back to prove they haven’t skipped a beat in the studio either.
“(It) feels like a kind of reemergence, coming out of a semi-hibernation,” Haskins says of the album. “I think we felt a real push to get the record done, because this is our 20-year anniversary…and when we looked it up to see how long it had been (since their last album, 2015’s “Sprinter”), we couldn’t believe it. So we were like, ‘man, we really need to make a record.’”
That record – whose 11 tracks draw inspiration from sources ranging from cereal boxes to attempted assassins – marks a seamless return to form for The Old Ceremony, who describe their music (quite accurately) as emanating from a “darkly lit corner…filled with ominous rumblings and world-weary but hopeful characters.” Haskins says the title, “Earthbound,” brings together several recurring threads – from the notion of characters being ‘rooted’ to a specific place or person, to the idea of human mortality that has always pervaded his lyrics.
Listen to the album (and purchase it) on Bandcamp.
“Every track sounds pretty different,” Haskins says of the album. “You know, we’re not one of those bands who can do a record that just has one vibe. That’s just how it is, love it or leave it…but the unifying principle was that we were going to be playing live together in the room when we recorded.”
They achieved that at Overdub Studios in Durham, with the help of longtime engineer Tom Canova.
“I think (it sounds) much more like a live performance,” Haskins says of the finished product. “I think the energy of us bouncing off of each other in the room made up for (any) imperfections…(and) you know, the records that we love, with most of them, there are mistakes. And that’s part of the joy of it.”
Now that the album is out, The Old Ceremony is getting ready to celebrate in style, with a show at Cats Cradle on November 16 – marking both the album’s release and the band’s 20-year anniversary, with guest appearances by past band members and a set that highlights the newer songs while also revisiting older favorites.
Click here to buy tickets and get more information about the show.
“We’ve been rehearsing with some of (the older band members),” Haskins says, “and it’s just been really fun, and interesting, the way that music can trigger sensory memories. You know, we’ll start playing and – when there’s a cello playing, all of a sudden, you know, I’m in Rochester, Minnesota, at one particular show.”
Photo by Mike Benson, via TheOldCeremony.com.
Django Haskins stopped by Live & Local to chat with Aaron Keck about “Earthbound” and the band’s upcoming show at Cats Cradle. They also played three tracks from the album: “Lonely Mayor,” “North American Grain,” and “Valerie Solanas.” Listen:
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