IamA Jared & Matt from Cage The Elephant AMA!

How much of an impact do you think that Borderlands had on your career? I hadn't heard of you guys until I played the game, but I bought one of your albums shortly after, and have been a fan ever since.

initially, a huge impact cos the game makers didn't expect it to have as much success as has had. and now it's pretty much a cult classic

How has becoming famous changed the way you live and how you look at the world around you?

are we famous???

YES WE MADE IT

What's the one thing/question you are tired of or don't like being asked during an interview?

where did your band name come from

....sorry /u/frajer

What was the craziest show you've done?

we just played a house party in austin. it was very very crazy

A question for Matt, have you ever thought about selling your own artwork?

How much you got?

Hey guys, I saw your band live 2 years in a row at Firefly, easily one of the best shows I've ever seen! My question is what does it feel like to play in front of a crowd of thousands of people who all love your music?

it feels amazing. festivals are some of the funnest shows

Hey guys! Since there seems to have been a rather mixed reaction to Tell Me I'm Pretty, how satisfied would you say you are personally with the way your sound has evolved since the first album?

personally, we are satisfied with it because it's the natural progression of the maturity of our music & the maturity of our relationship as a band

Matt, what's your lyric-writing process like?

there are several different approaches, honestly.

usually it starts with a random stream of consciousness. and once i figure out what i'm trying to say, i then try to narrow it down to a specific item/sentiment.

how cold (cold cold) is it where you are?

it's pretty cold and rainy in johnson city - jchamp

how cold is it? ice cold! - andre3000

What is the inspiration for your music?

life

Hey guys, I hope you're doing well. I've been a big fan of yours ever since Thank You Happy Birthday, and I've only continued to be impressed by your work since then. What's the funniest story you have from this tour so far?

the other night we all had fish at catering.

and we almost all shat ourselves on stage.

and to clarify, no one did.

well, maybe brad did a little

Is it a bad idea to pursue a career in music in this day and age?

enter at your own risk - jchamp

only you have the power to decide - matt

Cake or pie?

cake

Would you rather make music with people expecting its arrival, like you are today? Or was it more fulfilling not having an audience to create for?

It's two different processes & we like doing both of them. When you play for people live, you see the immediate reaction. When you record for them, you can only anticipate what their reaction might be.

Drink of choice?

water - jchamp

la croix - matt

Does she Mess Around?

Ray Charles says she does but we say she don't

I've never listened to your music. Which albums would you recommend me picking up to get started?(please don't say all of them)

all of them except ....

Heading to my first cte show in June, any advice on how to best enjoy (and remember) the experience?

Question 2: What makes a show memorable for you guys?

bring your ears.

the fans make a show memorable.

Hey Matt, Where do you buy your clothes?

I WILL NEVER TELL

Your concerts are always the best. So I was wondering what is your favorite band to see live? You guys are pretty hard to beat.

queens of the stone age are up there the strokes the rolling stones

If you could trade places with any musician for a day and gain all their skills, who would you pick and why?

JCHAMP - jimi hendrix so i can be a badass at guitar

What do you think about Radiohead? Do you like Radiohead? But really what do you think about Radiohead?

That's one of our favorite songs by the Talking Heads! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=scdyR1L9uwM

What is the song you are most proud of?

on which record?

Hi I'm guys I love y'all so much and y'alls band is so amazing!! But anyways I was wondering if y'all are ever going to book a performance maybe in San Antonio, Texas? It would be so awesome to see y'all perform again and meet y'all!! Oh and btw what is the back story on sweetie little Jean? love the song so much!

When Brad & myself were children, a neighborhood friend was kidnapped and murdered. It was a horribly traumatic experience which kind of put an end to the age of our innoncence. On Tell Me I'm Pretty, I really wanted to go back & face some of things that I haven't thought about in a very very long time.

Morgan was a beautiful little girl who deserved much more out of life. Rest in peace.

You guys ever going to release on cassettes?

great idea, it's in the works!

Mayhem in bowling green,Ky wha do y'all think about playing there? You should do it.

check tidballs frequently

Hey Matt and Jared, I'm a huge Cage fan, and I'm going to your show in NYC in May! I was curious about where you got the inspiration for your album art on TMIP. Also why didn't you guys schedule any Philly dates for either tour? :(

Because we don't like Nick.

Just kidding.

Keep checking back for tour dates! Especially tomorrow.

Favorite death metal album?

the eagles....of death metal

Love the new record. What artists have you guys been listening to lately?

run the jewels - jchamp

devandra banheart / malla rodrigo amarante
kurt vile - matt

I have really been enjoying your music lately. What are your thoughts about online music services for musicians like you?

like streaming services? it's a weird time for the music industry right now - jchamp

i actually think streaming services are going to prove to be incredible. if though don't turn musicians into indentured servants. it's like word of mouth x10 - matt

Invisibility or the ability to read minds?

Huge fan!

read minds for sure - MATT

JCHAMP - invisibility

Did you guys ever think you'd get as big as you did? What were your aspirations before the band?

are we big???

WE WANT MOOOOOOOORE

Hey guys! Huge fan and huge festival enthusiast. What has been your favorite festival to play? Do you guys have big plans on hitting more festivals next year?

i don't know if there is a favorite festival ever. ones that stick out are Lolla Chicago, Lolla Brazil, pretty much all the Lollapoaloozas....Firefly, Coachella, Bonnaroo, Bottlerock.

We are pumped for Reading & Leads this year!!

What is your favorite song to play when you're on tour? And where's your favorite city/state to play in?

Recently, my favorite songs to play are Punchin' Bag & Cold Cold Cold.

You guys are doing a small arena tour with Silversun Pickups, Foals and Bear Hands followed by a tour with Portugal. The Man at primarily outdoor venues. Considering the venues as well as the bands you'll be sharing the ticket with, will you approach each leg of the tour differently? Can fans expect different set lists?

PS - You guys kickass! Seeing you in Providence and again in Columbia, MD.

We will switch up the setlist on the next tour. Keep it spontaneous!!

Hey guys,

What was it like when you first heard a crowd of people singing your lyrics?

amazing.

Why aren't you guys playing Forecastle this year? :(

we played it last year & hope to play again in the near future

Saw you guys in Berlin as well as Starland in Jersey, loved both shows! So what tv shows are you guys into the most?

new vinyl show is pretty good - jchamp

i love the show the knick - matt

When did you first start working with Pooneh? I love her work so knowing she directed Cry Baby is so exciting! Are there any plans to release something like a photo diary, similar to what Pooneh did with Foals in 2014?

there is something in the works....but tomorrow we are releasing the CRY BABY video so check it out!!!

How did the band get together? Also, how do you write songs?

we got together in high school.

each song is written a bit differently

You think you guys will always stay with rock styles? or open up like jazz blues etc? will you ever get to pop(please dont)?

we don't go into making records thinking about the genre or specific sounds.

but with each song we basically just cater to what is best for the song

Hi guys! What advice would you give to any new bands?

Practice constantly - JCHAMP

And play as many shows as possibly you can. If it's meant to happen, it will happen. But basically it's last man standing - Matt

Here in Johnson City waiting for you guys! Jchamp... chill after?

maybe. i'm feeling a little rough, incase you didn't notice from the photo

When are you guys dropping your Vans collection? & what does it all include?

P.s. Look for the girl in a retro rainbow triangle tshirt in front row tonight at your show fellas \m/

No solid dates as of right now. But we are looking to release sometime in the late summer