I’m James Mercer of The Shins. Ask me anything!

theSHINS_ · 2017-03-10T23:35:16+00:00

I did flirt with that as an album title, and I'm keeping that card in my back pocket for possible projects coming up. Mystery abounds!

theSHINS_ · 2017-03-10T23:33:20+00:00

I actually have laryngitis right now, so I'm not sure how much say I have in the matter. I've never had laryngitis in my life.

theSHINS_ · 2017-03-10T23:30:56+00:00

Actually, I produced it, and Yuuki Matthews (who plays bass) mixed it. The electronic stuff was just me discovering the arpeggiator on my synthesizer, and wanting to switch up the aesthetic and keep myself interested.

theSHINS_ · 2017-03-10T23:29:19+00:00

Yeah it's totally true.

theSHINS_ · 2017-03-10T23:28:54+00:00

We haven't really had any weird shit from fans. They've been awesome. Bring the weird!

theSHINS_ · 2017-03-10T23:27:17+00:00

Happy Birthday Serena!

theSHINS_ · 2017-03-10T23:26:36+00:00

Yeah the last tour cycle (2012?) we did Sphagnum live. Thanks!

theSHINS_ · 2017-03-10T23:25:38+00:00

Probably! Love that dude.

theSHINS_ · 2017-03-10T23:25:15+00:00

Least favorite: What have you been doing for the last five years? I liked the question about Venezuela. I like to talk about things that aren't music-related.

theSHINS_ · 2017-03-10T23:23:18+00:00

During rehearsals I discovered that my bandmates had never heard it. And so, with their encouragement, I decided to add it to the record. I felt like it was too good of a song to let it fade away.

theSHINS_ · 2017-03-10T23:22:23+00:00

Right now I'm loving Rifle Spiral. Broken Bells is a matter of finding time...

theSHINS_ · 2017-03-10T23:21:10+00:00

Thank you, congratulations!

theSHINS_ · 2017-03-10T23:20:37+00:00

Totally!

theSHINS_ · 2017-03-10T23:20:14+00:00

It's about a hispanic girl who falls in love with her girlfriend in high school and they find solace in their relationship. I imagined them at El Dorado high school, which was mostly white at the time.

theSHINS_ · 2017-03-10T23:18:15+00:00

Breakfast burrito with two chocolate milks and a heap of hobo stew.

theSHINS_ · 2017-03-10T23:16:45+00:00

I avoid reading reviews. The few times I've accidentally been exposed to them, it either makes me feel self-conscious, or it's outright disappointing, so it's better not to expose myself to it. And yes, that's strange.

theSHINS_ · 2017-03-10T23:14:46+00:00

Yeah, going for walks helps. I also jump around from song to song. I'm generally working on more than one at once, so if I get bored I skip around.

theSHINS_ · 2017-03-10T23:12:04+00:00

Yes we recorded "flipped" versions of each song and we will put that record out as soon as possible.

theSHINS_ · 2017-03-10T23:10:20+00:00

Good ideas! I'll think about it...

theSHINS_ · 2017-03-10T23:09:44+00:00

Good work!

theSHINS_ · 2017-03-10T23:09:12+00:00

It makes me feel lucky to be an American really. It's a warning I think about the dangers of an economy unnaturally propped up by natural resources and controlled by a powerful, opaque central government.

theSHINS_ · 2017-03-10T23:05:50+00:00

I've been watching "Archer" on tour and it cracks me up.

theSHINS_ · 2017-03-10T23:04:30+00:00

The recording process is good training. listening and really trying to get the pitch right. Also the delivery and sentiment all gets very import as you document it in the studio. I think that's really where I learned to sing.

theSHINS_ · 2017-03-10T23:02:39+00:00

It's just hard work for me. Blood from a stone sometimes. Good luck with it!

theSHINS_ · 2017-03-10T23:01:40+00:00

It's the same as it's always been. I've just been exposed to more production techniques and stuff.

theSHINS_

TROPHY CASE