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For a time, I used to work at a record store. We would dig through crates and throw on anything that looked interesting. We’d throw anything good onto one of the 3 main spools of CD’s…or, if it was really good, it would become a permanent fixture on the 5 disc CD changer. The Dears’ 2003 album, No Cities Left, was one of those records. What attracted us to this band was their ability to transcend the bullsh*t; to present beautifully written music as nothing but that. This was evident in the first moment of the album, and continues to be the standard on their fourth full-length, Missiles.

I recently had the pleasure of getting some questions to lead singer and songwriter, Murray Lightburn. I asked about the songwriting process, thoughts on the “indie” scene, and the incessant Morrissey comparisons. His answers transcend the bullsh*t as effectively as his band’s music (and I promise, we did not have sh*t bins at our record store).

First let me start by saying I’m a long time fan and really enjoy the new record.
Thanks. That type of stuff really means a lot to us.

My favorite thing about The Dears is the strength and simplicity of the songwriting. What is the writing process for you when approaching a new record?
The thing is that songs are always coming in. It’s more a matter of accumulation than anything. Every couple of years there is a enough stuff to put on a record and there is somehow a thread through the collection. Anyway when the stuff comes in, sometimes it’s a beat and melody, a couple of words or a phrase. Other times, it’s an explosion of sounds; strings, brass, guitars, drones. There is never a situation where we sit down to write a song. It’s usually, okay we’ve got this much sh*t to plow through, here are the blueprints…

You guys have been through a lot of line-up changes over the years and have played with a lot of touring musicians. What’s the most important thing you learn from working with so many different people?
That’s a little hard to say. I guess we learn from mistakes, mostly. We learn more about co-existing in tight situations.

It seems The Dears are detached from the current “indie” scene, and Natalia mentioned a recent snub by Pitchfork on her blog. Why do you guys think this is and how do you feel about it?
For a while now, the whole concept of “indie” has really gone out the window. The Dears, I suppose, are independent artists who do plenty of stuff on their own with their own money and have approval/control of almost everything that goes out there, from records to newsletters, though some stuff does slip through the cracks…Anyway, now you can be on a major label and spend half a million dollars making a record and have an army of operatives doing all kinds of stuff on behalf of the band and still be called “indie.” It makes no sense. We don’t need to have that identity. We are just The Dears and we’re open to anyone. Not to mention the fact we don’t give a crap about “indie.” It’s just another sh*t bin at the record shop, like “grunge” or “alt-rock.”

“Money Babies” is one of my favorite songs of the year, and it seems it could be interpreted in many ways. What is the inspiration behind this song?
Walking the streets of Holland, late at night, looking for a shop that was open that would sell me milk, not finding it, hearing an explosion of sounds. Literally.

Usually the critic’s favorite track is different from the band’s. What is your favorite song on the new record, and why?
Lately “Lights Off” has become a moment at the gigs. But when it comes to the album itself, it’s a toss up between Berlin Heart and Meltdown. Or Saviour. Or Crisis.

What is your favorite place in the world to pass through on tour?
Montreal, because it means we’re sleeping in our bed.

So, I don’t really hear the Morrissey thing. How do you guys feel about those comparisons and what artists have inspired your sound the most?
Whatever. People need to compartmentalize anything in order to make sense of everything. Like those sh*t bins in record shops. Our influences are mostly things like pain, suffering, fear, anxiety, optimism. We’re also inspired more by film and books than we are music…

The Dears reveal all on the “Gospel According to The Dears” videos on the band’s website. What inspired you to, frankly, be so honest?
It’s only just begun. It’s a bit of a therapeutic thing. We went through so much bullsh*t over the years and still press on regardless of it all. The last lame thing that went down really inspired us to go through the history and attempt to tell a story of this art project. We’ve worked with so many many people over the years that it should be interesting.

Natalia wrote that Elbow’s recent Mercury Prize win made you “optimistic about the future of music.” What other new artists make you guys feel like this?
New artists? Couldn’t tell you… But everyone in our band has myspaces to check out; Pony Up!, Kill The Lights, Jason Kent, Land Of Talk…

*Photo by Kirstiecat