Pure Bathing Culture (INTERVIEW)

Pure Bathing Culture has been on a steep trajectory since the release of their debut album, Moon Tides, in August of 2013.  Daniel Hindman and Sarah Versprille are the former backing members of folk-rock group, Vetiver, but  recently decided to strike out on their own and move to Portland creating their own music project that draws inspiration from Chillwave, Minimalist music, and Shoegazed Indie pop.   The uplifting rhythms and spiritual aura of the band shines through in every track off of Moon Tides, and to listen to the album all the way through is a window into this band’s purified soul.  With multiple visits to Austin coming up in the near future, including a few sets at SXSW, we sat down with guitarist Daniel Hindman to ask him about the origins of Pure Bathing Culture and  where the band is heading next.

Originally Posted at the Horn: http://bit.ly/1bnas7P

Lee Ackerley: So where is Pure Bathing Culture currently?

Daniel Hindman: We are home in Portland.  We are getting ready for a tour in a week so we’ve just been sitting at home, writing and relaxing.

Awesome. So where did the name Pure Bathing Culture originate from?

The name originated from a story that my brother told me one time. He was studying architecture in Europe and he went to a spa in Switzerland and the slogan of the spa, in the German to English translation, ended up being  “Pure Bathing Culture”.   It resonated with me and I ended up telling Sarah and we ended up naming our musical project after it.

How did you guys meet?

Sarah and I met in college in New Jersey called William Paterson University.  We were both in music school at the time.

What was the personal inspiration for PBC growing up?

We listen to a lot of different things.  But one thing that we listened to early when we were making the EP was an English band called the Durutti Column.  We were listening to a lot of music that minimalistic but was centered around guitars and drum machines.  JJ Cale also inspired us, though we didn’t really sound like him. There was something about how much space that was in that music and how enjoyable the sound of something so simple could be.

 

What does the debut name Moon Tides come from?

That was sort of blending two ideas together, we were thinking a lot about the moon and the symbolism with it.  The tides part was trying to bring a connection back to water. And of course there is a connection between the moon and the tides so it kind of just became a working title for us.

You are coming this month and then back in March for SXSW?  Dp you enjoy Austin?

We have been to Austin twice before for SXSW and we will be back.  We love Austin.  It’s a really good place, really good food, and just a great place to stop on tour.   

Any particular places in Austin that you are looking forward too?

I should get more into deep cuts with Austin but I spend a lot of time at the Mohawk and we played a really big room that we opened for the band Caveman at, I forget what it was called….

The Parish?

Yes exactly the parish, that place was great.  And we jut love the food. We love BBQ.

What has been your best show yet?

We had a great show in London this year, which sold out, and was one of the few shows that we sold out, that was really special.  Its been fun going up to New York.  We had a really good show at Blacklands but its really tough just picking one show.

Have you ever heard of Tennis, because you both have similar dynamics and sound?

We have heard of Tennis and jut saw them at Portland.  We have a friend who is a really great songwriter, Christian Wargo, from Fleet Foxes and Poor Moon who opened for them.  And no we haven’t really been compared to them, at least not yet.

Do you guys consider yourself Dream Wave or Chill Wave?

We don’t like labels.  I think there are a lot of labels going around, and they are what they are, it’s just something that writers can overuse.  It’s not helpful for us to think of our music as a genre.  It’s just not fun and it’s not creative.  If people are going to do it, it’s completely fine, we’re not going to get mad or anything.  Labels are hard, you don’t want people to label your music, you want them to listen to it and, make it mean something to them.

You recently moved from Brooklyn to Portland.  Do you consider Portland to be your home now?

Yes we do.  It’s been really wonderful to experience the West Coast.  It’s a really great place and we love it here.

What has PBC given you that you are most grateful for?

The opportunity to do music full-time, the ability to support ourselves doing this, and to be able to be a full-time artist is something that we are incredibly grateful for.

What do you do with the money you make off of PBC?

It all goes back into the band.  We don’t make very much money.  We’ve had a lot of support from our record label, Partisan Records, but it all basically goes back into the tour, the van, or paying for food.

You have a single called Gainesville FL, have you spent a lot of time there?

No, actually I haven’t been to Florida in years.  We’ve just toured through it a few times.  It’s not really about the town but a state of mind that I associate with it.

Are there any other bands that you are excited about right now?

We are really excited about this band, Gardens and Villas, have a new album coming out and I hope they have a great 2014.

What would you be doing, if not music?

I used to teach at a music school, so that would be an easy thing to fall back into. I also think doing something in business would be fun as well..

If you could have music take you one place, where would you want to go?

I don’t know. That’s a tough one.  I would want to go somewhere that would allow me to continue creating music where I would never have to stop.

So some kind of Atlantis music paradise?

Yeah! Exactly.  I like that.  I’m going to think about that.