JUNK Magazine

Interview: Mary Timony
Posted by Brad Walsh, September 2005

Mary Timony's latest album, Ex Hex (Lookout Records), proves that she's still a force in thinking rock music. Since her final days with the band Helium she's put out three solo albums so incredibly her own and downright "indie" that we suspect she may very well be Ian Svenonius in a cat mask. Here Mary discusses her new return to an older sound.

Brad Walsh: Some people have described Ex Hex as a return to grittier rock for you, claiming that The Golden Dove was more in the airy/experimental rock vein of Helium than any of your other solo work. Do you agree with that?

Mary Timony: Yeah, I think so. I just wanted the record to be more up-tempo and fun, really. I didn't want it to be as dark.

BW: What were you listening to when you were writing and recording Ex Hex?

MT: A lot of College radio in Boston, at this awful job I had sending out boxes of toys for a toy inventor. Local Boston bands, too; a lot of experimental sound-art-type stuff; and bands that would come through Boston and play at my friend’s art space, The Berwick.

BW: How did you and Devin Ocampo hook up for this album?

MT: Devin and I met through Amy Domingues, who has also played with me. They were in a band together called Telegraph Melts a few years back, and they play together in Amy's new band Garland of Hours. I knew I wanted to play with Devin when I saw him play drums in Garland. He's a great drummer.

BW: Your recent live shows are different from past shows in that around the release of Mountains, the audience saw you move from guitar to keys to viola, and now I think it’s more of a stationary “guitar and drums” sort of thing. Is it difficult to translate some of the older songs to a pared-down live performance?

MT: Well, we make that easy by only doing the older songs that work with the new setup. So we really haven't been playing any of the keyboard songs on these last few tours. I actually really enjoy just being a guitar player. I feel much more free to enjoy myself on stage.

BW: How did you come join the Lookout Records roster?

MT: We recorded most of the record before having a label, and sent it around to people. I had always heard great things about working with Lookout, and they were interested in releasing it, so it worked out and I was very happy.

BW: Do you think that being on Lookout has changed the way your music is presented, or promoted?

MT: It doesn’t feel like too much has changed. I feel like the same people who showed up to the shows last time came out for the tour for Ex Hex.

BW: Do you write much outside of songs? Could there be a book in the future? Or is there one in the past? I hope I’m not putting my foot in my mouth.

MT: No, no, not at all; I don't really write outside of lyrics, and just a journal. I did a bit when I was younger, but I’m really more of a musician and a visual person. I guess I do have stuff that I have written in my journal that I like, but I would really have to work up the confidence to make any of that public in any way!

BW: What are your hopes/plans for the future of your music? Any collaborations you’d like to be a part of?

MT: Oh yeah, there are so many people that I'd love to collaborate with, I can't even begin to name them. I guess, realistically, I'd love to start a project band here in DC with some people, so that when Devin is busy with his other band (Medications) I will be able to have other stuff I am working on, too. I like side projects because I always feel kind of free to do anything in them, and that really helps me be creative. As far as the Mary Timony band goes, we are doing a few short tours this fall and then concentrating on writing and recording. We may go out again in the spring for another US thing, but mostly I’m gonna try to write some good music!

Mary Timony’s Ex Hex is in stores now.

On the web: http://www.marytimony.com, and download Mary Timony's "Friend to JC" here.