The Verlaines | Interview | Reissue of ‘Bird Dog’
The Verlaines are a fantastic New Zealand band from Dunedin that released albums on legendary Flying Nun Records.
The Verlaines were formed in 1981 by Graeme Downes, Craig Easton, Anita Pillai, Phillip Higham and Greg Kerr, the band went through multiple line-ups. The band debuted with 1985 ‘Hallelujah – All The Way Home’ followed in 1987 by ‘Bird Dog,’ which was recently reissued by Schoolkids Records. The album is often considered to be the Verlaines’ most introspective piece of work, with songs such as ‘Slow Sad Love Song,’ ‘Bird Dog,’ and ‘C.D., Jimmy, Jazz and Me’ all appearing on ‘You’re Just Too Obscure for Me,’ the group’s only compilation to span their entire career. ‘Slow Sad Love Song’ was the first song Graeme Downes ever wrote, in 1980, inspired by the suicide of a friend. Out of print for years, Schoolkids Records reissued this classic album exclusively for Record Store Day on colored vinyl, and a brand-new album artwork and design by the band.
“Each song breaks its own mood”
What makes ‘Bird Dog’ special? How do you remember the original inspirations for it?
Graeme Downes: It was a mixture of newer and quite old songs. The inspiration was then dreaming up how they could work together strategising track ordering and the like.
Are you excited about the recent Schoolkids Records reissue?
Hell yes! It’s an infinitesimal percentage of cultural products in this arena deemed worthy of reissue. Quite an honour and vindication that it was good work then and good work now.
‘Slow Sad Love Song’ is the first song you ever wrote, do you still have a special memory or attachment to it? Do you think the songwriting process changed later on?
Each song breaks its own mood, which it has done for 40 years. Last time I had the opportunity to play it with Robbie Yeats and Jane Dodd in 2016, it was as awesome as it always was.
How would you compare it to your debut album, ‘Hallelujah – All The Way Home’ or follow-up to ‘Bird Dog,’ ‘Some Disenchanted Evening’?
As above, each song starts from its own premise and so the three albums are quite distinct. Not my job to compare their value.
How do you remember some of the early shows you did?
Very well. I remember the first being terrifying and exhilarating at the same time. Knew afterwards I wanted to do it again though.
What were the circumstances of signing to Flying Nun?
We never signed anything, we just made records together. I remember meeting Roger Shepherd for the first time. Crazy young dude back then. The ‘Dunedin Double’ project was floated soon after.
Looking back, what was the highlight of your time in the band? Which songs are you most proud of? Where and when was your most memorable gig?
There’s too many over a lot of years with different line-ups. Playing at CBGB was cool. Proudest songs? Again there are so many. Last time Robbie Yeats, Jane Dodd and I played together was the NZ Festival in 2016. Played every song off ‘Bird Dog’ with a fair amount of pride. But the recorded material after that album is vast and there’s some great ones among them.
Is there any unreleased material by The Verlaines?
A few outtakes that shouldn’t see the light of day
Let’s end this interview with some of your favourite albums. Have you found something new lately you would like to recommend to our readers?
Last few years and more I’ve done nothing but Beethoven to keep up with my PhD student.
Thank you for taking your time. Last word is yours
Cheers, thanks for the questions.
Klemen Breznikar
Headline photo: The Verlaines promotional photo | L-R: Robbie Yeats, Graeme Downes and Jane Dodd
The Verlaines Facebook / Instagram / Bandcamp
Schoolkids Records Official Website / Facebook / Instagram / Twitter / Bandcamp / YouTube
