Hopefully we are on the same ride with people on our gigs. Interview with Ok Go | British Wave

The American rock band OK Go announced two concerts in Russia (Moscow, Feb 06, and St. Petersburg, Feb 07) in support of their fourth studio album "Hungry Ghosts".

Formed in Chicago in 1998 they relocated to Los Angeles later on but still consider themselves a Chicago band. In 90's they shared the stage with Sloan and Elliott Smith as an opening act and recently the band performed at Barack Obama's 50th birthday bash along with renowned Herbie Hancock and Jennifer Hudson.

Shortly before the upcoming shows in Russia BritishWave.ru chatted with the bass player Tim Nordwind about music, gigs, movies and the things he knows about Russia.

You had a little vacation from November to February, how did you spend that time?
We spent the down time working on new experiences for our live show, dreaming up ideas for a couple more videos, developing some ideas for potential television shows, we released a song for the movie Hot Tub Time Machine 2 here in the states, DJ'd a little bit, and also just tried to spend time with our friends and families.

According to you early interviews, you're inspired by Pixies, T-Rex, Queen, Prince, Fugazi. And what modern bands are you listening to (if you do)? Are you inspired by them?
Modern things I've been listening to lately are Russian EDM producer 813, British neo soul band Jungle, and the latest Mark Ronson. Yes, I'd say we are inspired by all of these bands, musicians, producers whether it be for their production, songwriting, or just for the sheer style and moods they create.

photo: Leslie Kalohi

Do you remember the first concert you attended, whose concert was it? And how often do you attend the performances of other bands now?
The first concert I ever attended was The Beastie Boys License to Ill tour. They were probably no older than 20. I was 10 years old at the time. Luckily my parents had no idea what they were letting me see. They let me go with a chaperone. I proceeded to see The Beastie Boys spray beer on the audience, naked girls in cages, and a giant inflatable penis rise from the stage. It was...educational. 

I don't go to a ton of live shows anymore just because I am around live and loud music a lot when we tour, so I tend to do anything but that just for a change of pace. Though I still go to live shows from time to time. I think the last big show I saw was Kanye West on the Yeezus tour. It was pretty impressive. Lately I've enjoyed going to LA Kings hockey games if I want the excitement of something live. It's pretty much like a rock show but with more fighting, blood, and ice.

Are you interested in cinema? If yes, who is your favourite film director and what are your favourite films, what was the last movie you saw in theaters?
Yes, I love cinema. My favorite modern film director is Wes Anderson. His attention to detail and style is really breathtaking. And some of his earlier films, especially Rushmore and The Royal Tenenbaums, are true masterpieces; from storytelling to aesthetics; just really beautiful, absurd, and human. The last movie I saw in a theater was probably a little indie film called Obvious Child, and I loved it. That was like a year ago. I don't go out to the movies often as you can tell. But I watch a lot of movies at home or on my computer.

Last time you visited Russia in 2006. Do you remember that performance in Moscow, what impressed you most of all during your stay in Russia?
Yes I remember our visit to Russia in 2006 very well. It was summer and the weather was beautiful. My favorite memory from Russia is kind of weird, but I'll tell you anyways. We had a very kind and sweet translator working with us, and her father produced Russian pop music. So she invited us to her father's birthday party which was outside of Moscow and in a castle. The actual party was in the dungeon of this castle. And I don't think I've ever seen a more impressive spread of meats, breads, desserts, and vodka!!! So much Vodka!!!! Too much Vodka (is there such a thing?) Anyway, it was so wonderful of everyone to let us join in the fun. And as if the excellent company of new friends wasn't enough, there was a game room in the dungeon where they had crossbow shooting and knife throwing!!! Which was like super dangerous given our state of inebriation, but also the coolest thing in the world. Because the closest thing we have to knife throwing in the states as a game you play at a party is dart throwing, and like, well, that's just embarrassing to admit compared to crossbow shooting.

You start your 2015 tour with two shows in Russia. What do you know about our country, maybe you've got some stereotypes about it? Do you know any Russian words? Are there any sights that you would like to visit in Moscow and St. Petersburg?
As far as stereotypes, I know all Russians drink vodka, are amazing gymnasts, and pretty decent ice skaters too.  Also all Russians listen to the band Gorky Park.  Kidding of course. Last time I was in Russia was for a very short amount of time.  I fear this time is only a little bit longer.  I was able to see St. Basil and the Kremlin in 2006. Which were of course really impressive sights.  I'd like to find some more off the beaten path type things to see if I can.  I'm very excited to be visiting St. Petersburg for the first time.  A friend recommended the Grand Maket Interactive Museum in St. Petersburg.  The miniature models of Russia look really amazing, and since I don't know everything there is to know about Russia, clearly, it would be awesome to learn a bit through such beautiful art. It must have taken forever to make!

photo: Leslie Kalohi

Your new album, "Hungry Ghosts", earned positive reviews from critics. Do you read the reviews of your albums / track your chart positions, or it's not important for you?
I'd be lying if I said I don't read our reviews. I wish I could be that strong, but I am always curious to know what people think about this thing we've worked so hard on. Though I think we are all good at taking reviews with a grain of salt. Whether good or bad, and there are always some of both, luckily we like what we make and put out into the world. I don't know if it's important or not to read our own reviews, it just kind of is what it is.

Many modern musicians complain on fans who watch the show through the screens of their phones and tablets. How do you feel about the fans who make a lot of photos and videos during your gigs?
I never want to stop someone from enjoying an experience exactly how they want to. Some people want to purely be in the moment uninterrupted. Other people would rather give up a little of the moment to document it so that they can enjoy it later through photos or videos. I get it, I understand. I do a little of both myself from time to time. It does make us think a little bit and design our shows for both of these kinds of moments. So that hopefully we can all be on the same ride and connected together. That to me, is the most fun way of spending the time we have with each other.

Your stunning, extraordinary videos are known throughout the world, you've got millions of views on YouTube. How many hours/days/weeks does it take to consider the ideas, to rehearse? Have you ever wanted to change something/to add some details in your videos while revising it?
The amount of time we spend on a video varies from project to project. It can be anywhere from 1 week to 6 months of planning and rehearsing ideas. What's most important is that we are excited about the ideas we are chasing. The long amounts of time can sometimes be a little daunting, but ultimately it's important to allow ourselves the time to play, revise, make mistakes, and get things exactly how we want them. 

Usually I am pretty happy with the general outcome of our videos. Of course you see certain things and wish they would have worked a little better, but for the most part we embrace the mistakes and the unique flaws. Sometimes it's those very things that gives the piece that extra bit of character; when Damian almost falls off the treadmill in Here It Goes Again, when you see me get grumpy in A Million Ways to Be Cruel, when you see Dan kind of flinch when paint gets poured on him in The Writing's on the Wall. I love those human moments.

You haven't performed some songs from "Hungry Ghosts" yet. Do the fans have any chances to hear live "Lullaby", "The Great Fire", "If I Had a Mountain", "Bright as Your Eyes" and "Another Set of Issues" during your upcoming 2015 tour?
It's true we have not played most of the songs you've mentioned. But I think we will endeavor to at least get some of them into the set list for 2015.

photo: Leslie Kalohi

Life on the road is amazing, but certainly there are lots of troubles or unexpected situations during the tour. Can you tell us the most funny or memorable story that happened to you while on tour or during the performance?
One of the most unexpected things I can think of is the first show Andy Ross, our guitarist, ever played with us a girl decided to come on stage and use Andy as a stripper pole. And just wouldn't stop. He was so nervous because he had never played live with us before, and this girl did not help at all. She just kept groping Andy, and we didn't really have security or anything. So eventually we just had to stop and ask her to leave.

What kind of people do you think listen to your music and attend your concerts?
We've been so lucky to have a really intelligent and engaged fan base. Our fans do a great job of communicating with us creatively through videos, songs, art, and just making stuff. Really cool stuff. It's fun to put something out into the world and then see what it inspires people to do creatively.

What was the most memorable gift you've ever received from your fans?
Obviously any gift is always such a sweet gesture. One that I use a lot to this day was given to me by a woman in San Francisco, California. She hand knitted a really beautiful purple and black scarf that says "TIM" on it with a heart. It's really well made, and I've worn it every winter for 5 or 6 years now.

February 6, 2015 – Moscow - YotaSpace
February 7, 2015 – St. Petersburg – Glavclub