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Hey, alright? I'm Thom the drummer in the band alt-j and i'm gonna be here for an hour answering your questions, don't be shy and don't ask me anything related to your homework because i'll get you into trouble.
If you're unfamiliar with alt-J you can listen to our debut album 'An Awesome Wave' here
http://open.spotify.com/user/1110581589/playlist/3rDb8nobufGfvjlvAAc0Zu
_Winters305 karma
Young Fathers, i think fans of ours will like them. Listen to Clams Casino intrsumentals too. Also the album 'Moon Safari' by Air.
shak956111 karma
The use of some kids' xylophone is brilliant. But seriously, how did you guys come up with the electrical tape guitar technique in "Taro"? That is GENIUS.
_Winters165 karma
Gwil was just fucking around in the studio and recorded that part just because it sounded good, then for some reason which we don't know, the track got reversed and that's what that sound is, a mistake!
Brianstormer95 karma
You are playing the album live for a while now. How do you keep it fresh?
_Winters165 karma
WE're currently writing as much as we can, which is hard when touring, but it's definately happening.
_Winters145 karma
When we first got together we had no room for anything, i just used a kick and a snare, and it just stayed that way, i used more things for recording and never felt the need to introduce cymbals!
fancyto68 karma
Thank you for being apart of my favorite band of all time.
Whats your favorite flavor of jello?
tdani032050 karma
What's Bloodflood about? I heard several guesses and i think it'd be the easiest way to find out.
_Winters178 karma
It's about the feeling you get when faced with dread, like you're about to get punched, or you've realised you've left your fucking passport in the hotel .
enchiladachode34 karma
Do you miss Leeds? Any plans for a gig at Nation of Shopkeepers any time soon?
_Winters41 karma
I miss certain parts of Leeds, like Nation of Shopkeepers for example, i would definately be up for playing, if we had the time!
blakewilliam30 karma
I want to preface my question by saying that I have listened to An Awesome Wave at least weekly since last spring and I am still blown away by it every time.
Alt-J's songs are completely packed with often obscure references; how long does it take you guys to write a song? Do you do research during the process or are the songs mainly about information you guys have in your heads already?
_Winters63 karma
Thank you i'm glad you enjoy it so much :) IT takes usually around 4 months i think. We go in and out quite a lot and really take things apart. We know how much taking time on a track benifits, it's not worth just settling for something you 'quite' like, it has to be perfect.
_Winters66 karma
They're brilliant, one of the best live bands in the world and really nice people, we're friends.
thegirlontheredbicyc27 karma
The one thing you would change in the world if you could ? big or small.
jpbralley24 karma
Just had a mini heart attack when i saw you were on here. No questions just wanted to say that you are my bfs and my favorite band and to be super mushy our song is dissolve me. You guys rock :D
Serek2923 karma
in "Matilda" there are French lines in the lyrics. Does any of you speak French or was it google-translated :)?
enchiladachode21 karma
The last year for you seems pretty sweet, but what is the worst thing about being in alt-J?
_Winters67 karma
Good question. For me i think it's the constant traveling, airports, taxis, trains all the time get tedious and I'm the kind of person that needs routine, i miss home quite a lot.
kojane16 karma
Hey, this is one question in 3 parts
- What's your favourite band right now?
- What are your thoughts on the recent events with Thom Yorke and Spotify?
- Lastly, What's your favourite TV show right now?
well, actually now that I look, it's 3 questions
_Winters39 karma
- Young Fathers
- I think he has a point, but i don't think spotify is a bad thing I think it gives people access to music which they might not be able to hear otherwise.
- I don't watch TV but i watch a lot of family guy!
_Winters37 karma
London. Purely because we're not home much at the moment and it gives me a chance to see my friends / family.
_Winters47 karma
I would say so yeah, I try to be. Abe Cunningham of the deftones is my biggest influence, also electronic producers like Hudson Mohawke.
minerva_sways13 karma
Which album was the one that made you want to start writing music? An Awesome Wave is just brilliant by the way
_Winters56 karma
Collectively 'In Rainbows' by Radiohead got the four of us quite excited but for me as a drummer it was 'Adrenaline' by the Deftones.
swoggle5511 karma
If you could drum a gig for any artist (other than Alt-J obviously) who would it be. Also fellow drummer and huge fan, thank you so much.
push300010 karma
aw shit you are probably not here anymore, any way, i have no questions, only appreciation for your music :D
janeidk7 karma
whats ur favorite color?? this is v important for me to know and how would u feel if i named a pet after you?
_Winters24 karma
Joe just made some food now we're watching Rick Stein on TV, not too shabby. You?
phoebeeanne6 karma
How do you feel about artists (namely electronic) remixing your guys' work?
BruschiOnTap5 karma
Daddy would you like some sausage?
All joking aside, love your album, Tesselate, Fitzpleasure, and Breezeblocks are my favorite, but not in that order. Keep it up! Can't wait to see you live!
lomoeffect5 karma
How was Glastonbury for you? Was that the biggest gig you've played so far?
Edit: You sounded great by the way!
_Winters14 karma
Thank you! It was one of the biggest yeah, we've been lucky to have a few big festival shows this year, i loved it
philharmonics5 karma
I always get the impression that you're the odd-one-out in the band in terms of music taste. Is that just me?
Boro_214 karma
did you enjoy school, what A Levels did you take? (very dull question i know)
_Winters13 karma
I hated school because i didn't understand it, school is an intense place. I didn't take A levels, i only have 1 GCSE!
heytaro2 karma
are you with the rest of the band right now? if so, do they have anything to add?
-Delaney
gwil-sized2 karma
Hey Thom, here’s a few to pick and choose from:
1) first song lyrics that come to mind? any lines that you love? can mediocre lyrics put you off a track?
2) when do you typically favourite tweets that you get?
3) you're always very gracious and good-humoured in interviews so kudos for that. what's the most boring question you get asked?
4) favourite stand-up comedian?
5) your favourite biscuit?
6) your current laptop background?
(if you guys do An Awesome Wave skin for Macbooks, I'd die happy!)
Cheers and stay cool ☺
debrisdetritus2 karma
Hey Thom, what does the color "black" means to you? I occasionally see you wear black jacket or t-shirt.
kknoblauch1 karma
Thanks for doing the AMA, How do you as a band form lyrics - as in your process, who's involved, and subject matter etc. ?
_Winters17 karma
Joe writes the lyrics, he reads a lot of books, watches a lot of films and writes idea's and influences he's had from doing that ..
IsNotABelle218 karma
What color is your voice?
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