Two weeks is an eternity for Explosions in the Sky
A look at the measured rise of Austin’s post-rock champions
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I’ve long considered Explosions in the Sky a band that’s just impossible not to like on at least some level. Even without an affinity for instrumental post rock, and it’s understandable if you don’t have that, this is a band that’s seemingly always done it right: record after superb record, show after epic show, tour after growing tour. It’s been a perfect, steady rise from humble beginnings for the pride of Austin, Tex. — one that’s well earned and never taken for granted by the foursome. EITS’s Munaf Rayani talks about the new record (Take Care, Take Care, Take Care), his band’s stage philosophies and why the New York Knicks will rise again.
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Explosions in the Sky with Wye Oak. $25. 9:00 p.m. Thurs., Sept. 29. The Tabernacle, 152 Luckie Street. 404-659-9022. www.tabernacleatl.com
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Now that you’re a few months into this tour, how has the reception been for the shows and for the record?
Munaf Rayani: The reception has been quite warm, and even perhaps a little exceeding of our expectations. Things have been going well for us the last few years, especially in regards to the type of music we make. We’re getting to play some great shows, great venues, great spots at festivals, we were on TV once already this year, and the album has been doing really really well. It’s a bit of a surprise and quite exciting that instrumental music can take us this far. All in all, it’s been really great and it seems like it’s getting better and better. We’re now a good two or three months into serious touring, and the shows seem to be getting better and better and going really well. I don’t know how much more we could ask for. This all feels pretty great.
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Do you see Take Care, Take Care, Take Care as a logical step in your discography?
MR: It’s definitely the next step. In my opinion, it’s the most mature and most evolved record we’ve made. Some could argue that there are certain songs on other albums that are better than some songs on this album, but as a whole, this was the next step. It fell somewhat elegantly into the timeline. It seems like it’s been a constant move forward, and that’s something we were very conscious of in the writing of this record — to move forward, to mature, to blossom, to allow things to flourish that once perhaps didn’t.
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You guys spent two weeks in the studio — which for some people is a short time, but for you guys was actually the longest you’ve ever had for recording, right?