San Francisco Voice

Warren Teagarden is an indie rock musician who pulls together an array of different influences to affect his sound. No matter which influence you hear on any given song, you can bet that he’s playing honest music straight from the heart. His EP was reviewed here on SFV last week and now you can get the full story about his work from his interview.

What can you tell us about your musical history? What made you strike out on your own after playing with a band here?

I started out as a bedroom guitarist, for many years I just played by myself in my apartment. The stuff I played ranged from metal to blues to my sad attempts at jazz, but it never really sounded like any of the music that I listened to. Finally I started learning some Beatles songs and then some Pixies. After tha,t I understood chord changes better and knew more about how to write and put parts together to make a complete song. When my last band broke up, I kept writing new songs but didn’t really have an outlet for them. I started putting my own band together after I made some home recordings and wanted to hear those songs played live.

What are the differences between your recent EP and the album that should be out later this / next year? (Any dates on that yet?)

This record sounds fuller and warmer but at the same time it has a more raw sound as well. Also, I think my singing has gotten a bit better. But it’s similar to the EP in that it’s a mix of some older songs I’ve been working on for years and some brand new songs that I’m really excited about. No firm dates yet; I’m hoping for either December or January.

If you had to sum up your sound in one sentence, what would you say?

The sound is a unique combination of folk, rock, pop, and punk that sounds strange and new and yet somehow familiar with the daftly cerebral lyrical flourishes of a deranged shamanistic poet. Alternatively, I’d say “It sounds just like indie rock.”

Describe the average fan of your music.

I’m not sure I have an average fan. A lot people have felt really connected to my music, and that’s always amazing to hear. Sometimes it’s a person who usually likes more mainstream music and my songs seem to be the only indie stuff they like. Sometimes it’s someone who’s really into weird obscure music and my stuff is the most “normal” sounding music they listen to. I haven’t really seen a pattern develop yet.

Finish the sentence. “Making music should always be …”

Well, there are a lot of great ways to finish that sentence. I guess I’d go with “honest.” If you’re not writing something real, what’s the point? You should always write with honesty. Anyone can make shit up.

Do you have a favorite SF venue? Where would be the ideal place here to play if you could?

My favorite San Francisco venues are Bottom of the Hill and Great American Music Hall. Both have great sound and a great vibe. I’ve played at Bottom of the Hill a couple of times. I’d love to play the Great American some day.

Which spots in the city can you be found in when you’re just out and about?

I tend to stay around my neighborhood, the Inner Richmond. Clement Street has tons of amazing restaurants and Green Apple is a great store for books and CDs. I’m always out walking around Clement Street.

If there was anything that you could make sure your fans knew, what would it be?

That I really appreciate their support, but hopefully they know that already.

Time to pay it forward – what other Bay Area bands should we know about?

Most of the bands I’ve played with have been good. Sorrow Town Choir, The Jank, Cult of Sue Todd, The Cons, The Jack Rubys, and many others. Probably my favorites right now are The Slow Poisoner and Palace Family Steakhouse. They are awesome.

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