Alright. Picture your favorite artist. Got it? OK; now imagine your reaction when you are given the opportunity to interview said artist. Well for me, this was Aero Flynn, and I was ridiculously excited and terrified at the same time. Aero Flynn has such a unique sound, and as it turns out, frontman Josh Scott is just as complex as the music he makes. The band has been described to have an indie-synth-pop sound, but Scott makes music that’s pretty hard to classify.
Where do I start??? I guess I’ll start by saying that Aero Flynn is hands down in my top five favorite artists. I first heard him at a festival in Wisconsin this summer, and I haven’t been able to get out of the cosmos since. His music has this amazing texture to it that is unlike anything else I’ve heard. Josh Scott’s work would probably be described as indie rock or synth pop, but it certainly goes beyond these classifications. The songs are amazing, but what really drew me to his work was Scott himself. Scott comes from the musically infamous Eau Claire, WI, and is good friends with both Justin Vernon of Bon Iver and Chris Porterfield of Field Report, yet with this album he succeeds immensely in setting himself apart from his talented friends. Live, Scott exudes this unclassifiable tone and vibe you are just going to have to see to believe. Really, I can’t stress how amazing this guy is.Take a listen to his song Twist.
I first took a look at Aero Flynn’s page to get some more background information on the band before writing my interview questions, and after deciphering the poetic bio on Josh Scott, finally sat down and came up with some questions. Check out Aero Flynn’s page and then my interview with Josh Scott below:
What was it specifically that prompted you to record Aero Flynn after such a long absence? Do you feel like it was years in the making?
I struggled with an undefined restlessness that wasn’t easily diagnosable. Many factors led to this. Those tributaries only split into deeper fissures of ennui. Around that time my physical health created a fear that led me to the studio looking for answers. In retrospect, the pathway to record that cleared my schedule to give up my day-to-day was health related. I’m not a spiritual person but do believe in time and place.
After reading Christopher Porterfield’s letter/bio on your page, I can see that this album must mean a lot to you, what is it like performing something so personal to an audience?
The live performance of this record is so fulfilling. Yes, it’s deeply personal and vague but it was inherently collaborative as well. The foundational element of performing as a band is that too. I get more uplift in performing than in anything else. It’s a joyous release, not readily manipulated by baggage both mental and physical.
Your work is clearly not conformist, where do you draw most of your inspiration? Is there another artist that you feel especially connected to or whose work really speaks to you? Or did you draw your inspiration from elsewhere?
I draw from a ton of influences. With this record I accumulated all of the genres I’d absorbed over the years. I wanted it to have space, to evolve and expand in panorama. I looked to plenty of artists: Mingus, Eno, Terry Riley, Jim O’rourke, Four Tet, Neu.. To name a few. Also, canonized cats like Dylan and Townes Van Zandt. I looked to film as a primary influence too. The idea of an edit as art, or the scope and vision of a director and their DP. The pure beauty of a certain shot in a Malick film. That kind of subjective ambiguity.
Did you have any specific hopes or expectations for this album? If so, did it accomplish what you hoped it would?
In no certain terms can I express how fortunate I am to have been able to create this. Everything after its creation is gravy. The slow build nature of the record is also its delivery system. I’m happy more people are hearing it every day.
As a Minnesotan I have to ask, do you feel especially connected to the Midwest? What made you choose to base in Minneapolis?
I do feel a connection with it. I’ve struggled with that notion before, though. The older I get the more its grip informs my paradigm. There is a firm, no-nonsense doctrine drilled into us. I vibe with that. Minneapolis made sense because of all the friends and colleagues based in and around it. My band is half based there. Health care is great. People are groovy. Winter is awful. You know, the best kind of flagellation.
Any good stories from your time on the road?
Any and all outlet malls. I’m only half-joking!!!!!
[Ed. Note: Please stay tuned for our review of Aero Flynn at the Showbox coming soon!]
JULIA OLSON | JJ’s Pasta Regular | SU Student Correspondent