Midlake Pleases Pittsburgh Crowd After Opening for Band of Horses

Midlake, the American indie-rock and folk band from Denton, Texas, left Pittsburgh's crowd pleased yesterday evening as they opened up for Band of Horses at Stage AE.

The band, consisting of Paul Alexander, Eric Nichelson, Eric Pulido, McKenzie Smith, Jesse Chandler and Joey McClellan, formed back in 1999, by a group of jazz students from the University of North Texas College of Music (some original members are no longer in Midlake). The band premiered under the name The Cornbread All-Stars with a heavy jazz and funk influence in their sound.

Since then, Midlake has developed a more indie-rock and folk sound to their music. Midlake first gained popularity in Europe, where they signed with Bella Union Records and began played festivals and shows around the country.

With four albums under their belt ('Bamnan and Silvercork', 'The Trials of Van Occupanther', 'The Courage of Others' and 'Antiphon') the band continues to tour and promote their catchy and easy-listening music, this summer, in support of Band of Horses.

We had the opportunity to sit down with Jesse Chandler of Midlake to discuss what the band is up to for the rest of the summer, and some upcoming plans for the group in the coming months in regards to more touring, releases and hitting the studio.

Read further and get to know Midlake.

How did you first get your start in music?
I first started in music by messing around on my grandparents' piano, harpsichord and recorders.

Then I started playing clarinet in the second grade, and piano in fifth grade after begging my parents to buy me a piano for a year.

Who are some of your musical influences?
Some of my musical influences include The Band, Os Mutantes, Can, My Bloody Valentine, Francoise Hardy, Velvet Underground, Silver Apples, United States of America, Delia Derbyshire, Phil Spector, Sam Cooke, Yo La Tango, Pavement, Sonic Youth, The Breeders, Raymond Scott, Stereolab, Beach Boys, The Beatles, Elliott Smith, Broadcast, Nico, Young Marble Giants, Bach, Debussy, Mahler, Miles Davis, Coltrane, Keith Jarrett, The Kinks, Radiohead, David Bowie, Caetano Veloso, Neil Young, Bob Dylan ...

Sorry, you asked!

What is on your summer playlist this season?
Lately I have been listening to Beck, Cate le Bon and The Soundcarrries, and the classical music station here in Denton.

If you could collaborate with anyone in the industry, who would it be?
I'd love to collaborate with Noah Lennox (Panda Bear) and/or Rachel Goswell (Slowdive, Mojave 3).

What would your best advice be to those looking to get their foot in the door of the music industry?
My advice would be to try to never make music thinking that you might one day make a living from it.

Then, if you do it will be a happy surprise!

What has been your most memorable experience while touring?
I've had so many memorable experiences over the years but a couple from our most recent tour was getting on stage to do not one but two songs with Pearl Jam at Rock Werchter in Belgium, and also playing in a 900-year-old church in Halifax, UK and getting to use their 300-year-old organ on a song.

It shook the ground, literally!

What are you most excited for during your trip to Pittsburgh?
We're extremely excited to come to Pittsburgh because we have a day off both before and after the show, which rarely happens.

So we're already planning a trip to the Andy Warhol Museum and a Pirates game as well. If anyone reading this happens to meet us at the show and has any other tips, please let us know! Thanks!

Be sure to catch Midlake in support of Band of Horses at the remaining dates of their summer tour, and for more information, be sure to visit www.midlake.net.

July 22nd - Buffalo NY
July 24th - Port Chester NY
July 25th - Hamden CT
July 26th - New York NY
July 28th - Northampton MA
July 29th - Allston MA
July 30th - Portland ME
July 31st - South Burlington VT
August 1st - Kingston NY
August 23rd - Monterey CA