Mist and Mast [rank: 757] based on users subscribed

After his band The Red Thread broke up in 2007, Jason Lakis initiated his solo project: Mist and Mast. Lakis' style is similar to those of Beck mixed with Stephen Malkmus. Mist Mast's easygoing lo-fi approach does not exclude it from including alluring beats and melodies whose instrumentals are obviously carefully crafted. Lakis sings with honest emotion and has an incredibly soothing, velvety voice. Mist Mast, however, rocks sometimes, mixing in some awesome riffs now and then.

[talia]

Bandega Interview with Jason Lakis of Mist and Mast (July 2010)

Mist and Mast, between a Badman and a Petting Zoo.

Q: How have your shows changed over the years? Has your perspective on performing live changed?
A: Well, it's funny that you mention that, because they're just about to change significantly. Our drummer Bill has decided to move to NYC and he was a big part of our live sound. He's more of a rock drummer, so I think he's helped make the live sound a lot more dynamic and...well...loud. It's been a lot of fun and I think we've been getting a progressively bigger sound, but now that he's leaving I think it's time to re-evaluate things. The band started with me playing all the instruments, and I'm not a loud drummer. So who knows...I can see things quieting down a bit, focusing more on subtleties. The interplay between guitars can get really interesting and fun, and playing quieter lets us to a bit more of that.

Q: Describe the most memorable live show you've played.
A: The most memorable show was definitely in my first metal band called Blind Surgeon around 1987. We played a place called the QVCC in Worcester Mass. We played with Eye for and Eye and Supertouch (NYC). It was an old church with all the pews ripped out. I just remember looking out at all those people waiting for us to play...they looked mean. About halfway through our first song, I peek up through my hair to see what was going on because I could feel the floor rumble, and the entire place was in this giant swarm...like a human whirlpool about 50 feet in diameter, and it lasted most of the set. Such an amazing thing to experience as a 16 year old.

Q: What venue do you consider to be your "home", where you feel most comfortable, with the crowd and the place itself?
A: There are two, for different reasons: #1 is the Make Out Room. I think both of my last bands played their first shows there, and it's also where Half Film played our last. If there's a place I could go and feel at home and want to drink all night, it'd be the Make Out Room. #2 is Bottom of the Hill. When I first moved here in 1992 it was the first place I saw a show where I really wanted to play. The sound is great, the staff is great. The place has lasted for a reason, and not just because you can park there.

Q: Describe the most enjoyable show you've ever experienced as a fan.
A: It's a close one (Tindersticks at The Fillmore around 1999 was a close second), but the most enjoyable show has to go to Tom Waits at the Paramount Theater. I mean, he played 5 encores and I wanted more. What a performer, and what a place. I could've stayed there all night long. It's the one show that will stick with me my entire life.

Q: You have released albums both on Badman Recording Co. and later on your own label, Oakland Petting Zoo. How did the experiences compare?
A: I released all The Red Thread stuff on Badman and all the Mist and Mast stuff so far on Oakland Petting Zoo. Around the time The Red Thread broke up things in the industry were changing quickly. It wasn't very clear what could be done on your own, and there was definitely a stigma attached to "self released". I learned a lot working with Dylan from Badman, and I'd accumulated a lot of contacts over the years so I figured I'd give it a shot on my own. It is a LOT of work. It's really nice to have a team of people working for you from a label and it can get a little lonely making packages in your office at home, but controlling everything has its rewards.

Q: You are known for playing all the instruments on your albums. Why do you choose to record this way?
A: There are a few reasons. Part of it is convenience. If I have a drum part in my head, and a drum kit sitting in my apartment, I'll record it and start building from there. The other part is that I usually hear most of the parts as I'm writing, so I just try to get them down the best I can. It does make it challenging when you're in a band with really talented players. I don't want to tell them exactly what to play, but I do hear the parts in my head and it's hard to shake them (the parts, not the bandmates). On the latest Mist and Mast album (Action at a Distance) we did it half and half. For half of it I recorded everything, and the other half were songs that everyone put their parts to. I think it actually worked out well.

Q: You’ve stated that your musical roots lie in metal. Do you still listen to and/or create metal?
A: I do listen to it now and again, but I don't play it anymore. I heard the new Slayer was actually pretty good.

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