Shivering Timbers shake my leaves - An Interview

Listen Up Toledo  |  10/13/2011 7:00 am

Shivering Timbers are a unique Akron, Ohio outfit. A trio that brings a fresh energy to old-timey mountain music, the group is led by the strong, siren-like vocals of Sarah Benn (who also plays upright bass), and the howling, jangly guitar work of her husband Jayson, with drums rounded out by friend Brad Thorla. With influences ranging from classical to country to blues to punk to gospel to rock, Shivering Timbers are reminiscent of "the Akron sound," which is no definitive sound at all, but always completely original (think Chrissie Hynde, Devo, Robert Quine, The Black Keys, etc.). In fact, their unique sound caught the ear of friend and fellow Akronite, Dan Auerbach (of the Black Keys) who insisted on producing their debut album, We All Started in the Same Place, and had the band play his recent birthday party.

As Shivering Timbers prepare to come to Toledo on Thursday, October 20th, performing live at the Ottawa Tavern (1815 Adams St., Doors at 9 p.m. No cover. www.otavern.com), we caught up with Sarah quick to discuss the band, Dan, and the fate of their toy piano in Toledo. Enjoy.

Toledo.com: Let's start with environment. You're from Akron. Does this city itself seem to find a way into The Shivering TImbers' music? If so, in what way?

Sarah Benn: Akron has long been a city full of unique musicians who aren't what a big label would consider marketable, but they do it anyway. There's very few bands around Akron that sound like they're trying to "write a hit", but they write great songs just the same.

Toledo.com: Your voice is a really shining and stand out aspect of the band, where did you learn to sing? And where do you continue to find inspiration (in terms of both style and motivation)?

Sarah Benn: I taught myself to sing, really, just singing along with other albums that I love and trying to match others' vocal inflections and tone. Jolie Holland really inspired me to want to sing, she has such a unique voice, also Patsy Cline, Neko Case, Joni Mitchell, and Mavis Staples. I started out singing in a three-part harmony group, all girls with a similar vocal range, so we traded off the duties of lead, high and low harmony. I sang all three parts.

Toledo.com: Obviously, I have to ask about your friend Dan Auerbach. Were you guys friends before he became involved with the band? Either way, what was your reaction when he offered to produce the album?

Sarah Benn: We were friends before, and we casually just agreed to make a record together, as we were washing lunch dishes at his house (he's a really good cook). I think he made some kind of chinese wild mushroom soup that day. He's so busy and still needs time with his family, so we recorded quickly in three and a half days.

Toledo.com: A) What did Dan bring to the production process?

Sarah Benn: He pretty much insisted on doing as much live as possible, without the use of click-tracks to keep time. That was the only way I'd ever recorded in the past, so getting rid of headphones with the loud click-track was really freeing. Dan kept the focus and kept our feet on the ground so we didn't get carried away picking at something that should be left alone.

B) In working with him, was there an aspect about him you were surprised by, in character or process?

Sarah Benn: Dan kicks ass. He's hilarious. And I was pretty in-awe of his ear, watching him listen to a track over and over, the way he evaluates what needs to be done. I learned a lot just from listening with him.

Toledo.com: There is another The Shivering Timbers from Melbourne, were you aware of this? Do you want to beat them up?

Sarah Benn: Haha! I am aware of that, and our lawyer has advised us to not worry about it until we start touring in Australia.

Toledo.com: We're glad to have you in Toledo. Any special surprises we can look forward to?

Sarah Benn: We'll be recording the show. It's the last night of tour and we'll probably be half-crazed from sitting in the car. Plus we REALLY ADORE The Ottawa Tavern and our Toledo fans, so I'm sure the beast will be unleashed that night. The toy piano might get kicked over.