Colin, I’m one of those weird fans who absolutely loves and adores the music and lyrics and how the music makes me feel but I have no questions as I almost don’t want to ruin any personal relationship I’ve made up about the songs and how I relate to them. I only have feelings of gratitude for making such wonderful songs. Perhaps my question should actually be how do you process what your music does for fans and how do you feel about that? I mean your initial goal isn’t to form super fans but to release a creative inner drive so how do you even begin to contemplate on music that has probably saved lives, travelled the world with people and shapes lives for 20 years! It’s a powerful thing my friend!
What is the person shouting at the end of "Hazards of Love 1 (prettiest whistles)"? I have spent hours in audacity backmasking, unbackmasking, speeding up, slowing down, applying filters, and can not figure this out.
Hi! I was so exited to see the news that Wildwood is being adapted by LAIKA. I’m curious, what does the process of book-to-film adaptation look like from your end? Are you involved in the decisions the studio is making?
could you be persuaded to play “shiny” in philadelphia this august? i’ve been attending decemberists shows for ~20 years now and have yet to hear it live (but would sure like to!).
Where did you learn how to tell stories? The Decemberists have been my favorite band for a pretty long while now, and that has all been because of the stories that are told. I love all the lyrics, and so many times while listening to a song, have I thought that it could be made into a pretty great short story film or music video (but in my head it is always starring muppets, with a few people here and there).
I have often seen you sipping on a little wine during a set. Do you have a favorite varietal or style? I feel like you're a dry peppery kinda guy, but who am I to assume?
Have you ever considered writing a non-YA novel? I think the themes and narrative subject matter you explore as a part of the Decemberists would translate well!
Post of gratitude for your support of the Infinite Jest group read a few years ago. Shameless request for a full concept album based on the book. One DFW song reference is grossly insufficient. :)
not a question, just a comment, i'm a fellow pdx'er who loves the record year for rainfall song, it feels like it haunts my own home here on these rainy days <3
Hey Colin! First, a little fun fact: I work at the Canadian branch of HarperCollins in Toronto, and I'm going to be responsible for handling the Canadian marketing for The Stars Did Wander Darkling! Can't wait to work on the book. I have a couple questions: First, how closely, if at all, are you working with Laika for the Wildwood movie? And secondly, do you plan on writing any "adult" books, whether fiction or non-fiction?
Hello! Loved your Bluebird Festival set! Any plans to record your autobiographical Return to Lonesome Dove song? Because I'm pretty sure I need it on vinyl. Also, thank you for Dracula's Daughter!
I'll start with just one question ;) What was the inspiration and/or story behind I Was Meant For the Stage? To me, it seems to line up perfectly with the climax of Dead Poet Society. It really could really play in real-time as the soundtrack to those couple scenes as the melancholy morphs into some of the most unsettling turmoil I've heard in a song. One of my favorites!
Not a question but I want to just express my gratitude for sharing your Machine Shop. I'm in awe by the way you engage with fans and take the time to respond genuinely when you can. I was so disappointed to miss you at the Bluebird Festival last week. I was going to go in 2020, but... well, you know. I was disappointed I couldn't fly back for it this year as I am wrapping up my last semester of grad school... And these few weeks of Machine Shop goodies have given me such valuable respite and joy during a chaotic time. Thank you!
I've got a bunch and they might all be out of left field.
I really loved the book tour you did for the Wildwood books. (Saw you at the Coolidge corner theater in Brookline Mass for that) are there more plans for speaking engagements outside of the Decemberists stuff?
I'm a former special Ed teacher and hearing you talk about your child's diagnosis in the past, and the work you did for the school was inspiring, have you thought about broader advocacy? (Also have you read Nuerotribes by Steve Silberman or in a different Let by Jerry Zucker? Both amazing stories of the journey the American mental health system and how autism mirrors that)
I remember during the Livestream when asked about favorite board games Jenny spoke about Flamme Rouge and I got stupid excited (it's also my favorite game) are you doing tabletop stuff now? What stands out to you?
Colin! Omg, hi! I have a singular and unfathomably important (to me) question. Is Sons & Daughters about a ragtag bunch of nuclear fallout survivors on a raft?
I saw you play in Tucson for the Crane Wife tour, and during A Perfect Crime you grabbed a phone from the audience and (apparently) called someone before singing the next chorus into the phone. Was this a regular thing you did? Did you ever talk or listen to the people you called?
Hello sir. What’s the story about Stateside. You have so many wonderful songs but for some reason Stateside has a low fi sound and feel that continues to satisfy. Have you ever considered a full album of electric low fi work?
Your albums always seem to be so well-sequenced. How do you think about song order? Does the band spend a lot of time playing around with different orders or does it come together naturally? For example, Crane Wife 3 is such a perfect opener - I'll never forget the first time I heard it.
Hi Colin! Any chance we’ll be getting another volume of the “Colin Meloy Sings…” EPs in the future? All 4 are constantly on rotation at my house! I think they’re some of the best cover projects out there…And they introduced me to the glory of Shirley Collins!
Have you ever seen the 2017 film from Estonia called NOVEMBER? It has major Decemberists (Novemberists?) folk-tale vibes, including drowning, deals with the devil, shape-shifting forest creatures, and romantic poetry lessons from melting snowmen. It's awesome.
Seeing the ways in which O Valencia drew upon Romeo and Juliet… are there any other Shakespearean themes/characters/intertextuality alluded to in your songs?
I'm gonna get to as many as I can, folks! Just give me time...
Colin, I’m one of those weird fans who absolutely loves and adores the music and lyrics and how the music makes me feel but I have no questions as I almost don’t want to ruin any personal relationship I’ve made up about the songs and how I relate to them. I only have feelings of gratitude for making such wonderful songs. Perhaps my question should actually be how do you process what your music does for fans and how do you feel about that? I mean your initial goal isn’t to form super fans but to release a creative inner drive so how do you even begin to contemplate on music that has probably saved lives, travelled the world with people and shapes lives for 20 years! It’s a powerful thing my friend!
Did Steven take the news gracefully?
What is the person shouting at the end of "Hazards of Love 1 (prettiest whistles)"? I have spent hours in audacity backmasking, unbackmasking, speeding up, slowing down, applying filters, and can not figure this out.
Hi Colin! What's the story behind Red Right Ankle?
Do you think the band will do more streamed shows (WITH AUDIENCE) going forward?
I am thinking of the Palace Theatre in St. Paul. from 2018. Such a great show and experience for people who cannot travel to the shows.
this is such a mom question, i’m almost too embarrassed to ask but here goes! do your kids like the decemberists?
Tell us a fun Ben Gibbard story. I love that you two are homies.
Who among you is the reigning Illimat champion?
Will the band ever release any of the live shows the Decemberists performed with a symphony orchestra?
Hi! I was so exited to see the news that Wildwood is being adapted by LAIKA. I’m curious, what does the process of book-to-film adaptation look like from your end? Are you involved in the decisions the studio is making?
Where are the hymns to the other months? Will the other ten months ever get any love?
I've always wanted to know the meaning behind Odalisque. Especially the stanzas:
And what do we with ten baby shoes
A kit bag full of marbles
And a broken billiard cue? what do we do?
And what do we do with ten dirty Jews
A thirty-ought full of rock salt
And a warm afternoon? what do we do?
I've never been able to figure it out!
could you be persuaded to play “shiny” in philadelphia this august? i’ve been attending decemberists shows for ~20 years now and have yet to hear it live (but would sure like to!).
Where did you learn how to tell stories? The Decemberists have been my favorite band for a pretty long while now, and that has all been because of the stories that are told. I love all the lyrics, and so many times while listening to a song, have I thought that it could be made into a pretty great short story film or music video (but in my head it is always starring muppets, with a few people here and there).
I have often seen you sipping on a little wine during a set. Do you have a favorite varietal or style? I feel like you're a dry peppery kinda guy, but who am I to assume?
Hey, Colin! I've always wanted to know, is there a particular reason why drowning is such a common theme in your work?
I have 2.
When is the new album coming out?
I found Big Thief and Alvvays from your recommendations on Twitter. What other modern bands/artists should I check out?
Do you have a favorite Decemberists song?
Have you ever considered writing a non-YA novel? I think the themes and narrative subject matter you explore as a part of the Decemberists would translate well!
Post of gratitude for your support of the Infinite Jest group read a few years ago. Shameless request for a full concept album based on the book. One DFW song reference is grossly insufficient. :)
not a question, just a comment, i'm a fellow pdx'er who loves the record year for rainfall song, it feels like it haunts my own home here on these rainy days <3
Your lyrics often deal with sex, was there ever a line that was so risqué that you had to edit out?
Could you share a bit about how you chose to write and record The Tain?
What is your research regimen when writing songs from a historical perspective? They are always brimming with so many great details.
Apropos of your cozy chaise, do you have thoughts on Wet Leg?
Socks or no socks for sleeping?
Hey Colin! First, a little fun fact: I work at the Canadian branch of HarperCollins in Toronto, and I'm going to be responsible for handling the Canadian marketing for The Stars Did Wander Darkling! Can't wait to work on the book. I have a couple questions: First, how closely, if at all, are you working with Laika for the Wildwood movie? And secondly, do you plan on writing any "adult" books, whether fiction or non-fiction?
Hello! Loved your Bluebird Festival set! Any plans to record your autobiographical Return to Lonesome Dove song? Because I'm pretty sure I need it on vinyl. Also, thank you for Dracula's Daughter!
Hi Colin, I love your song Sleepless. Are there any stories behind the song's creation you'd care to share?
What is your favorite piece of Montana lore? (A book, historical note, personal story, whatever...)
What's your favorite couple of venues?
Hi Colin- I’m an admirer of your acoustic guitar collection. Which are your favorites and why?
I'll start with just one question ;) What was the inspiration and/or story behind I Was Meant For the Stage? To me, it seems to line up perfectly with the climax of Dead Poet Society. It really could really play in real-time as the soundtrack to those couple scenes as the melancholy morphs into some of the most unsettling turmoil I've heard in a song. One of my favorites!
Not a question but I want to just express my gratitude for sharing your Machine Shop. I'm in awe by the way you engage with fans and take the time to respond genuinely when you can. I was so disappointed to miss you at the Bluebird Festival last week. I was going to go in 2020, but... well, you know. I was disappointed I couldn't fly back for it this year as I am wrapping up my last semester of grad school... And these few weeks of Machine Shop goodies have given me such valuable respite and joy during a chaotic time. Thank you!
Are there any of your songs that make you emotional when you sing them?
What kind of guitar do you play in the video of "A Beginning Song"?
I've got a bunch and they might all be out of left field.
I really loved the book tour you did for the Wildwood books. (Saw you at the Coolidge corner theater in Brookline Mass for that) are there more plans for speaking engagements outside of the Decemberists stuff?
I'm a former special Ed teacher and hearing you talk about your child's diagnosis in the past, and the work you did for the school was inspiring, have you thought about broader advocacy? (Also have you read Nuerotribes by Steve Silberman or in a different Let by Jerry Zucker? Both amazing stories of the journey the American mental health system and how autism mirrors that)
I remember during the Livestream when asked about favorite board games Jenny spoke about Flamme Rouge and I got stupid excited (it's also my favorite game) are you doing tabletop stuff now? What stands out to you?
Colin! Omg, hi! I have a singular and unfathomably important (to me) question. Is Sons & Daughters about a ragtag bunch of nuclear fallout survivors on a raft?
Hi Colin! How’s your day going?
I saw you play in Tucson for the Crane Wife tour, and during A Perfect Crime you grabbed a phone from the audience and (apparently) called someone before singing the next chorus into the phone. Was this a regular thing you did? Did you ever talk or listen to the people you called?
Hello sir. What’s the story about Stateside. You have so many wonderful songs but for some reason Stateside has a low fi sound and feel that continues to satisfy. Have you ever considered a full album of electric low fi work?
Your albums always seem to be so well-sequenced. How do you think about song order? Does the band spend a lot of time playing around with different orders or does it come together naturally? For example, Crane Wife 3 is such a perfect opener - I'll never forget the first time I heard it.
What’s the worst kind of pastry? And what’s the single worst pastry you’ve every ingested?
Hi Colin! Any chance we’ll be getting another volume of the “Colin Meloy Sings…” EPs in the future? All 4 are constantly on rotation at my house! I think they’re some of the best cover projects out there…And they introduced me to the glory of Shirley Collins!
Have you ever seen the 2017 film from Estonia called NOVEMBER? It has major Decemberists (Novemberists?) folk-tale vibes, including drowning, deals with the devil, shape-shifting forest creatures, and romantic poetry lessons from melting snowmen. It's awesome.
Are you guys going to stream any more D&D? That was really fun to watch.
What’s with all the drowning? As a lifeguard, I’m concerned. Do you need swim lessons?
I really enjoyed the Traveler’s Rest Festivals in Missoula. Do you have plans to revive those efforts post-pandemic?
What is your favorite song to perform live? Are there any songs you refuse to play?
Seeing the ways in which O Valencia drew upon Romeo and Juliet… are there any other Shakespearean themes/characters/intertextuality alluded to in your songs?