Ages and Ages, click a Portland-based folk rock band, medical is touring in support of its second album Divisionary. They’ll be here on Tuesday at Middle East Upstairs.
Allston Pudding got a chance to check in with frontman Tim Perry as they traveled to Denver, Colorado for a show and discussed the purpose of album-closers, Portland bands to check out and, since they may have some downtime in Boston, best breakfast stops.
Allston Pudding: You’re out in the middle of the desert?
Tim Perry: More or less, we’re going through Wyoming on our way to Colorado to play a show tonight in Denver. The weather’s beautiful.
AP: I saw y’all at Newport Folk Fest. That was a great performance [of “Divisionary (Do The Right Thing)”] with the Berklee Gospel and Roots Choir. Can you reflect on that a little bit?
Perry: Yeah, that was really cool. I think what happened was, we recorded a live video of that song in Portland with all our friends and family and we even got this kids choir involved. And what happened was the Newport guys saw it, and suggested we get in touch with the Berklee Gospel choir and suggested the same to them.
And, you know, we were able to connect and kind of see if it would work out. And both of our schedules were, super, super packed, and we got a chance to run through it right before they went on — in a green room area. After we went on, for that last song, they came out and joined us after just playing it through once. And I thought it went over great and certainly was a lot of fun for us.
AP: Did you get a chance to stick around and check out any of the other acts that day?
Perry: We had a packed schedule and had to travel to Pickathon — we had about four days to get there. We had to leave that night to get about five or six hours of driving in. Then, yeah, we drove straight the rest of way. What were we able to see? We saw Thao [and the Get Down Stay Down]. I did a little music workshop with Chris Funk. Thao was there, as was Hozier. And yeah that was awesome. Langhorne Slim was also there. I got a chance to sit behind him somewhat awkwardly while he sang, which was something I never experienced. I was basically on stage while he was singing. Even though people weren’t looking at me they were looking at somebody two feet away from me. It was one of those — on the one hand, I’m watching him. I feel like I’m way too close to the action… it was different, it was cool.
AP: So you’ll be coming through Boston [on Tuesday], do you have any particular favorite spots you go to?
Perry: You know, we don’t know much about Boston. We played there twice and both times we just rolled through. We didn’t have much time to stay at all. We have a friend who lives out there, so we get a chance to chat with her. Other than that, not sure what we have on the docket when we come through. We might actually have a little bit of time from there — so we’re open to suggestions.
What we look for, kind of, is good breakfast spots.
AP: I’ll have to think about it.
Perry: It would be awesome if you knew a couple. Have your readers chime in on that. [Ed.: tweet @AllstonPudding and @AgesAndAges with your breakfast suggestions]
AP: How many people are you touring with right now? I get the sense that you kind of fluctuate a little bit?
Perry: We do, yeah. It depends on where we’re at, and what our resources are. Right now we have six people, and we generally tour with six people. But a lot of times you know we’ll add more depending on the circumstance. Like I said — that video we had 70 people. And we’ve played shows in Portland where at any given time there could be 10-plus, maybe more. Basically, we’re just sort of — our vibe is very inclusive: whoever’s able to join and whoever’s able to show up is invited.
AP: And, by the time you get to “Divisionary” everyone can belt the words. And speaking of that, “Divisionary” is such a great closing track, do you have any favorite closing tracks of other bands?
Perry: Boy, that’s the kind of question I’m going to think of so many answers after we hang up. There are so many awesome closing tracks. I always liked “Rock ’N’ Roll Suicide” on Ziggy Stardust. I always thought that was the most epic closing song. I believe “A Day In The Life.” I can name a few Beatles — “The End” on Abbey Road is great.
I think the closing song is a time to throw down the gauntlet. Just really put the period at the end of the sentence. And I think a lot of bands, especially during the glory years of record days, did that. Nowadays, with digital, people just kind of go to the Bandcamp or Spotify and listen to the first ten seconds of the first few songs. And a lot of [bands] are trying to put what they think are their strongest songs up front, and that makes sense. But as an artistic concept, a lot of songs tend to belong in certain spots depending on what their strengths are.
AP: Two parts to this question: What Portland bands are you listening to, and what are you listening to in the van as you’re traveling?
Perry: Well, um. Portland bands. There’s quite a few — there’s a lot of Portland bands. We’re gonna play two shows in Portland with Sean Flinn and the Royal We, and the 1939 ensemble. Those guys are good. Our friends in Black Prarie and Blitzen Trapper. Typhoon. Portland is sort of a treasure trove.
As far as in the van. It really depends, everybody plays different stuff. Sarah [Riddle] likes Andrew Bird. We’ve been listening to Angel Olsen lately, a lot of Gene Clark.
I like this band a lot from Sweden from the ‘70s with a name I cannot pronounce at all. Anyway, I like them. Starts with a “K.” I’ve been listening to Lee Hazelwood, a lot of Paul McCartney — Band on the Run and Rams. Our tastes are across the board.
AP: A lot of Beatles references in just the time we’ve talked. Safe to say they’re an influence?
Perry: Yeah, I mean, it would be kind of hard to argue if you played rock and roll music they don’t influence your music one way or the other. I mean, you know, obviously my history with the music in the genre is pretty steep with the Beatles, but also a lot of other bands. But yeah, they’re in there. I wouldn’t say the thing we listen to, when we need help trying to figure out which direction to go. But it’s subliminally woven in — give credit where credit’s due. And not just the Beatles, but the solo projects, too.
AP: Any other thoughts before your Boston show?
Perry: Not much, other than we’re super looking forward to it and looking forward to seeing and meeting new people. It’s super fun to be out here and we’re pleased as punch.
Buy tickets for Ages & Ages at the Middle East Upstairs.