Jetstream Pony interview - We're not a "nostalgia band"

Jetstream Pony announced a few days ago their self-titled debut album will be out next month of may via Shelflife Records (USA) and Kleine Untergrund Schallplatten (Germany). Let's talk with Beth Arzy who kindly accepted to answer some questions ! Interview with Toshiko !

何日か前に、Jetstream Ponyが来月の五月に、米Shelflife Recordsと独Kleine Underground Schaffhausenレーベルから、セルフ・タイトルのニュー・アルバムをリリースすることを発表しました。(メンバーの) Beth Arzyさんが、インタビューに応えてくれました！

Anorak Crumble : Who is playing in Jetstream Pony ?

Jetstream Ponyは誰がプレイしているのですか？

Beth Arzy : Shaun Charman (The Wedding Present/The PopGuns/Turbocat/The Fireworks), Kerry Boettcher (Turbocat), Beth Arzy (Aberdeen/Trembling Blue Stars/Different Angels/The Luxembourg Signal/The Fireworks/Lightning In A Twilight Hour/Charlie Big Time). We're also super lucky to be playing with two amazing drummers : Hannes Mueller from Endlich Blüte/The BV's, and Anthony Bryant from The Popguns. 

Shaun Charman (The Wedding Present/The PopGuns/Turbocat/The Fireworks)と、Kerry Boettcher (Turbocat)と、Beth Arzy (Aberdeen/Trembling Blue Stars/Different Angels/The Luxembourg Signal/The Fireworks/Lightning In A Twilight Hour/Charlie Big Time)によるバンドです。そして、素晴らしいドラマーHannes Mueller(Endlich Blüte/The BV's)と、Anthony Bryant  (The Popguns)と一緒にプレイ出来て本当にラッキーです。

Anorak Crumble : How did you all meet ? Why did you decide to form this new band ? How would you describe music of Jetstream Pony ?

(メンバーと) どのようにして会っていますか？何故ニュー・バンドを結成したのですか？Jetstream Ponyの音楽はどのようなものですか？

Beth Arzy : Shaun and Kerry have been friends for ages and were in Turbocat together. I met Shaun after Matthew asked me to join The Fireworks as their lead singer, (Emma), was leaving. I really liked the songs that Shaun wrote for The Fireworks like "Bury Me" and he said "there's more where that came from if you want to hear them !" I heard some demos he'd done at home and really loved them so he asked if I wanted to do the vocals on them and BOSH ! Jetstream Pony. The music is an obvious mix of everything we all loved and dragged from the post punk era, into today. We're not a "nostalgia band" ; it's just what comes out because that's what we're all made of. The Jesus and Mary Chain, The Dentists, The Cure, The Fall, Gang of Four, Heavenly. It all pops out now and again. 

ShaunとKerryは前から友達同士でTurbocat(のメンバー)でした。ShaunがMatthewに、私がリード・シンガーとしてThe Fireworksに加入すればいいか訊いてくれました、Emmaが脱退したので。私はShaunの書いたThe Fireworksの"Bury Me"みたいな曲が気に入っていました。彼は「もし君がもっと聴きたいなら、もっと多くの曲があるよ！」と言っていました。彼が家で作った何曲かのデモを聴きましたが、とても良くて。なので、彼は私がボーカルをやりたいか訊きました。ナンセンス！Jetstream Pony…音楽は明らかに、私達が大好きなポストパンク時代を全てミックスして今日に継承したもの。私達は"ノスタルジーなバンド"ではありません。私達が作った全てが現れただけのこと。The Jesus and Mary Chain, The Dentists, The Cure, The Fall, Gang of Four, Heavenly…また再び現れたの。

Anorak Crumble : Please tell us about the last records from Jetstream Pony ? Who writes the songs ? Why did you cover The Softies "Charms Around Your Wrist" ?

Jetstream Ponyのレコードについて教えて下さい。誰が曲を作っていますか？The Softiesの "Charms Around Your Wrist" をカバーしていましたね？

Beth Arzy : We've had a few singles and an EP on Kleine Underground Schallplatten and U.S. label Shelflife out on a super label from Germany, (https://www.facebook.com/kus2015), and just about to release our first LP (on KUS/Germany and https://shelfliferecords.bandcamp.com in the USA) as we finally have enough songs ! Shaun writes the music and I generally send him lyrics I've scribbled down in a huff or in my sleep. Kerry's also contributed lyrics for a couple of songs and Shaun writes some as well. We covered The Softies song because I've loved them since back in the day, and was listening to them and just thought... "I wonder..." Jetstream Pony were kind and let me have my Softies moment. Rose Melberg has just about the sweetest voice that you can ever hope to hear. It's just like honey, and melts me right down. 

シングルとEPを何枚か作りました。凄いドイツのレーベルKleine Underground Schallplattenから。 (https://www.facebook.com/kus2015) それと、曲が出来上がったら、初のLPをドイツのKleine Underground SchallplattenレーベルとU.S.のShelflife Recordsからリリースする予定です !(https://shelfliferecords.bandcamp.com )
Shaunが作曲して、大概は私が寝ている時に大まかに考えた歌詞を彼に送ります。Kerryも何曲か歌詞を書いて、Shaunも同じように書きます。私達がThe Softiesのカバーをしたのは、前から大好きだったからです。蜂蜜のように溶ろけるような…Rose Melbergの歌声はスイートです。

Anorak Crumble : I am a great fan of Beth's Aberdeen and Trembling Blue Stars, especially ! Why did you contract with Sarah Records ? Is Bobby still playing music as Lightning In A Twilight Hour ? 

特にBethの(前のバンド) AberdeenやTrembling Blue Starsの大ファンです！Sarah Recordsと何故契約したのですか？(The Field Miceや Trembling Blue Starsのメンバー)Bobbyは今でもLightning In A Twilight Hour(かつてElefant Recordsからリリース)として音楽を作っていますか？

Beth Arzy : Thank you ! The songs I've done with Trembling Blue Stars are some of the things I'm most proud of. It was great to be a part of it for over 10 years and play with lovely people like Bobby and Keris. If you would have told a 20 year old me that I'd be singing in a band with Keris from Brighter and Bobby from The Field Mice I would have dropped dead ! In the very beginning, I had a friend in L.A. called Brandt Larson who used to order from a mail-order shop called Parasol on a regular basis so always had new music and introduced me to Sarah Records, The Dentists, Heavenly... so much great music. He suggested I send Matt and Clare a demo, so I did and the rest is history.  Jetstream Pony recently supported The Orchids and Saint Christopher, and it was so nice to see both Matt and Clare there and almost felt like no time had passed ; but in a way, it felt like an eternity. Bobby IS still recording as Lightning In A Twilight Hour and was 3 days away from finished the mixing (with Ian Catt) for the new album. It's mostly people from Trembling Blue Stars, but with the name change Bobby has the license to push the boundaries a bit more (like with The Occasional Keepers), and not have to make all the songs indiepop songs to please the old Sarah crowd. It's sounding really beautiful. I stepped away slightly for this one because as a fan, I personally wanted to have one with more Anne Mari. She's been involved from the beginning, (as has Michael Hiscock from Trembling Blue Stars and The Field Mice, Ian Catt and me), but I wanted to hear a lot more of her, and the result is pure MAGIC. Fans of Northern Picture Library will wet themselves. Seriously. 

ありがとう！Trembling Blue Starsで曲をやれたことは最も誇らしいことです。ここ10年に渡ってBobbyやKerisみたいにラブリーな人達とプレイ出来たのは偉大なことです。BrighterのKerisやThe Field MiceのBobbyと一緒にバンドで歌えたから。初めにParasolっていうメール・オーダーをやっているBrandt LarsonというL.A.の友達が居て、Sarah Records, The Dentists, Heavenly...といった素晴らしいバンドを教えてくれて、MattとClare(Sarah Records)にデモを送ってみないかと提案してくれたので。後に歴史となりました。最近The OrchidsやST Christopherと一緒にプレイしましたが、MattとClareも来ていました。時の流れを感じていません。BobbyはLightning In A Twilight Hourとしてレコーディングしていて、ニュー・アルバムの為のミキシングをIan Cattと一緒に行いました。Trembling Blue Starsの時と同じ面子ですが、以前The Occasional Keepersと名前を変えたように、バンド名を変えるかもしれません、全ての曲をSarahみたいなインディ・ポップにならないように曲作りも行って…とても美しいものになりました。ファンとして、個人的には、Anne Mariと一緒にやって欲しかったです。最初は、彼女はTrembling Blue Stars / The Field MiceのMichael HiscockとIan Cattと私と少し関わっていましたが、もっと彼女の歌声が聴きたかったです。結果はピュア・マジックになりました。Northern Picture Libraryのファンには喜ばしいことになりそうです、本当に。

Anorak Crumble : Tell us about Beth and Shaun's  (The Wedding Present) The Fireworks ? 

BethとShaunの別バンドThe Fireworksについて教えて下さい。

Beth Arzy : To hear about Shaun and The Wedding Present, you'll have to watch the film https://www.somethingleftbehind.com ! Jetstream Pony was asked to support The Wedding Present last year for a week in the UK, which was a total blast. They were so professional and I got a bit spoiled getting to see them every night for a week. We met some really lovely people on that tour and The Wedding Present's fans were very kind to us; even when I was in a bad mood ! With The Fireworks, it was a really weird time. I loved the band, but joining one of my favourite new, local bands to replace an irreplaceable singer wasn't my best move, but not the first time I'd done it ! 

ShaunとThe Wedding Presentについては: https://www.somethingleftbehind.com 去年Jetstream Ponyは、UKで一週間The Wedding Presentをサポートしたいと訊きました。彼らはプロフェッショナルで、一週間も毎晩彼らを観れるのは贅沢なことでした。The Wedding Presentのファンは皆親切で、まるで私がバンドに居るかのような気持ちになりました！The Fireworksは大好きだけど、変な時期でした。バンドに参加することは、あまり気が乗らなかったです。

Anorak Crumble : The self-titled debut album will be out in May. Can you tell us about it... for example : the concept, the lyrics, etc ?

セルフ・タイトルのアルバムは2020年の五月にリリース予定ですね。コンセプトや歌詞など…アルバムについて教えて下さい。

Beth Arzy : I'm not sure if there's a concept, but we decided to record it properly, rather than most of the releases that were done on Shaun's ipad. A close friend of mine, (Kerry Kelekovich), who's a proper musician and producer (https://www.discogs.com/artist/591177-Kerry-Kelekovich), produced our LP and really brought something to life. He did an amazing job from Chicago, which was no easy task ! 

コンセプトがあるかどうかは定かではありませんが、ShaunのiPadを使ってレコードを作ることに決めました。親友のミュージシャンKerry Kelekovichが私達のLPをプロデュースしてくれました。シカゴから素晴らしい仕事をしてくれたの！

https://www.discogs.com/artist/591177-Kerry-Kelekovich

Anorak Crumble : Jetstream Pony contract with German label : Kleine Underground Schallplatten and U.S. label Shelflife. How did you decide to work with them ? Shiny Happy Records released Cassette single in 2018. Are you interested in Asian indie pop ?

Jetstream PonyはドイツのKleine Underground SchallplattenレーベルやU.S. のShelflifeRecordsと契約していますね。インドネシアのShiny Happy RecordsからCassetteシングル"Had Enough / Not The One"が2018年にリリースされました。アジアのインディ・ポップには興味がありますか？

Beth Arzy : I've been friends with Asian indiepoppers since back in the Sarah days and connected to a lot of really talented people. The Shiny Happy Records cassette is superb ! It's two of the first songs we ever did. I think some are still available if you email e-mail shinyhappyrecs@gmail.com. I really love the artwork on that one. Shaun's partner, (Carol) does all the artwork so we're fortunate to have a resident artist! I have a few of her other pieces dotted around as well. Carol Seatory @atelierbricolage

私はSarahの頃からアジアのインディ・ポッパー達と友達です。才能のある人達と繋がっています。Shiny Happy Recordsのカセットは素晴らしいです！私達が初めて手掛けた2曲です。まだ入手可能かと思います。アートワークも大好きです : shinyhappyrecs@gmail.com

幸運にもShaunのパートナーCarolがアートワークを手掛けてくれました。Carol Seatory @atelierbricolage

Anorak Crumble : Jetstream Pony played with The Orchids and Saint Christopher in February 2020. Are you going to play gigs near future ?

2020年の二月にJetstream PonyはThe OrchidsやST. Christopherと一緒にプレイしましたね。今後のギグの予定はありますか？

Beth Arzy : Well, we WERE. We had the MOST amazing spring/summer planned with The Madrid Popfest, a gig in Porto, gigs with Even As We Speak, The Primitives and The Hannah Barberas... BUT they're all being rearranged and we have to be thankful that we're all safe and indoors right now. Life's been paused but it will resume again once the Earth resets. Lots of fun gigs to look forward to :) The Orchids/Saint Christopher gig was pretty dreamy. I ain't gonna lie. I don't really like playing live, but that one was pretty sweet. 

はい、そうです。今春～夏にマドリッド・ポップフェストでEven As We Speak, The Primitives and The Hannah Barberasと演る予定でしたが準備し直しているみたい。今、私達は皆、屋内で安全でいられることに感謝しなければいけません。生活は一時停止しているけれど、地球がリセットされれば生活も再開します。観たいギグがあり楽しみです(笑)。The OrchidsやST Christopherはとてもドリーミーでした、私は嘘は付きません。私はライブをすることは余り好きでは無いけれど、とてもスイートなことです。

Anorak Crumble : What bands / artists are you influenced by ? What bands / artists do you listen to at the moment ?

どのようなバンド / アーティストに影響を受けましたか？現在はどんなバンド / アーティストを聴いていますか？

Beth Arzy : Och... too many to mention and I don't want to answer for Shaun and Kerry but some current bands I've been listening to are : Wild Billy Childish & CTMF, Chorusgirl, Mammoth Penguins, Lake Ruth, Pale Lights, Jon Brooks (and anything on Ghostbox), The BVs, Clay Hips, Djustin, The Hannah Barberas, The Veras, Sacred Paws, Shopping, Apostle, Richard Youngs, The Hurricanes, The Treasures of Mexico, Protoje, Koffee, Patience, Foundlings, Chronixx, Old loves that I still listen to : The Dentists, The Claim, Heavenly, The Softies, Teenage Fanclub, The Pastels, The Field Mice, Brighter,  Loop, Robert Hampson, BJ Nisen, Skinny Puppy, Runar Magnusson, Jóhann Jóhannsson, Carl Michael von Hausswolff, Philip Jeck, The Wonder Stuff, Jesus Jones, James, Love, The Left Banke, The Jam, Armitage Shanks, The Style Council, Bauhaus, The Smiths, The Telescopes, The Monkees, The Wombles, The Ocean Blue, The Orange Peels, Helen and the Horns, The Loft, Comet Gain, The Hit Parade, Blueboy, Shoestrings,  Friedrich Sunlight, The Fairways, The Golden Eaves, David Toop, Broadcast, The Velvet Underground, Elvis, The Jesus & Mary Chain, Oingo Boingo and lots of crazy jazz, reggae and electronic music. I know I'm forgetting a few hundred but I could seriously go on forever !

とても沢山あってShaunやKerryには言いたくないけど、今聴いているのは…Wild Billy Childish & CTMF, Chorusgirl, Mammoth Penguins, Lake Ruth, Pale Lights, Jon Brooks (and anything on Ghostbox), The BVs, Clay Hips, Djustin, The Hannah Barberas, The Veras, Sacred Paws, Shopping, Apostle, Richard Youngs, The Hurricanes, The Treasures of Mexico, Protoje, Koffee, Patience, Foundlings, Chronixx, まだ聴いている昔のバンドは: The Dentists, The Claim, Heavenly, The Softies, Teenage Fanclub, The Pastels, The Field Mice, Brighter,  Loop, Robert Hampson, BJ Nisen, Skinny Puppy, Runar Magnusson, Jóhann Jóhannsson, Carl Michael von Hausswolff, Philip Jeck, The Wonder Stuff, Jesus Jones, James, Love, The Left Banke, The Jam, Armitage Shanks, The Style Council, Bauhaus, The Smiths, The Telescopes, The Monkees, The Wombles, The Ocean Blue, The Orange Peels, Helen and the Horns, The Loft, Comet Gain, The Hit Parade, Blueboy, Shoestrings,  Friedrich Sunlight, The Fairways, The Golden Eaves, David Toop, Broadcast, The Velvet Underground, Elvis, The Jesus & Mary Chain, Oingo Boingo, それにジャズ, レゲエ, エレクトロニック・ミュージック。2～300くらい忘れてる気がするけど。

Anorak Crumble : Have you got any future plans ? Message for your fans, please !

今後の予定はありますか？ファンにメッセージをお願いします！

Beth Arzy :The new Jetstream Pony record is something I think we're all really proud of and I'm dead excited for the world to hear it ! I think KUS is already sold out in Germany so people in the US will order it from Shelflife and everyone else will have to get digital ! The new Lighting in a Twilight Hour record is SO close to being finished and super beautiful. I seriously don't know where Bobby gets his lyrics sometimes as some of the new ones are totally Blakeian. I guess he does read a lot ! I'm hoping that Allen Clapp will write more Different Angels stuff for me to sing on as that was SO much fun. It's a dream project for me as I've always loved The Orange Peels and all of Allen's work and also includes the beautiful Oed Ronne from the beautiful band The Ocean Blue and Gabe Coan, who is the glue. Dancey funtimes. The new record by The Luxembourg Signal should be out this year and it's really great ! Betsy sings two of my favourite songs on the LP and could possibly be two of my favourite songs of all time. I love those guys and they're miles and miles and miles away :(

新しいJetstream Ponyのレコードは、私達は誇りに思います。世界の人々が聴いてくれるなんて、エキサイティング！ドイツのKleine Underground Schallplattenレーベルでは既にソールド・アウトだと思います。なのでアメリカの人達はShelflife Recordsへオーダーするでしょう。デジタルだったら皆がゲットできます！Lighting in a Twilight Hourのレコードも間もなく仕上がります、とても美しいものです。新しい曲の幾つかはBobbyの歌詞が(William Blake英詩人)Blakeianスタイルで、それが何故だか私には判らないです、きっと彼は沢山読んだのでしょうね！バンドDifferent Angelsでは、Allen Clappが私のためにもっと曲を書いてくれることを望んでいます、もっと楽しく歌う為に。The Orange Peelsや他のAllenの楽曲全部好きです、Gabe Coan(The Orange Peels)やThe Ocean BlueのOed Ronneとの共作も含めて。The Luxembourg Signalの新作も今年出る予定です、とてもグレイトです！Bestyが私のお気に入りの2曲を歌っています。私は彼らが大好きです。彼らはとてもとても遠い所にいるけれど(笑)。

More info : https://jetstreampony.bandcamp.com/