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Interview with Martin Courtney of Real Estate
The frontman talks about touring Europe and playing in basements
Martin Courtney (front R) and the rest of Real Estate (Photo: Andrew Cedermark)
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Wavves, Best Coast, Memory Tapes, Dom, Neon Indian—whatever name you want to ascribe to these and other similar bands, there has been a strain of summer running through the indie circuit in the last two years. But arguably the finest among these bands is New Jersey’s Real Estate. Lead by Martin Courtney, the quartet has similar themes to the others. There are beaches, summers, innocent love, hints of Motown. You can almost feel the ocean water drying in your hair.
Real Estate, though, distinguishes itself through its impeccable sense of melody and economy. There is absolutely nothing flashy about this band, nothing left hanging off the side. Case in point is “Beach Comber,” which appeared on their eponymous 2009 LP on Woodsist, and is one of the most sublime summer songs written since rock and roll began. Even with layer upon syncopated layer, it still feels like there’s room enough to spread out your beach towel.
Encore caught up with lead vocalist and guitarist Courtney last weekend, just days before he was set to open for Deerhunter at Pier 54 in Manhattan (where they’re playing tonight). We talked about touring through Europe, new songs for their upcoming 7” and album, how Courtney’s song process has evolved, and whether or not they will stick around with Woodsist.
So you’re pretty much done with touring for the moment. How was it being on the road for so long?
Yeah, we’re basically done. In October we’re touring with Deerhunter. That’s the longest break we’ve had in a year. It was really, really good. We also have a one-off show at Hampshire in September. Touring was really fun, but it got progressively less fun. It lost its novelty after awhile. But we never did anything that crazy. The longest tour we did was for a month. That was our first big tour. We kinda decided that after that one month tour, we would go no longer than two or three weeks, then a month off. When I look back it feels six months straight, but it’s really not like that. It was what we’ve always wanted to do. We’ve all known each other since we were 15. We’re living the dream.
Did you get a good reception out in Europe?
Pretty surprisingly good. We’ve toured there twice now. At first it was surprising. We sold out in London. We sold out a show in Copenhagen. There were 150, 200 people. It was really kinda shocking. I guess that’s the power of the internet, the power of Pitchfork. Every time we’ve toured in Europe, it’s been pretty successful.
Tell us about your new 7”.
We’re about to send out the tracks to get mastered. It should be out next month, definitely before we tour with Deerhunter. It’s coming out on True Panther. It’s gonna be good. We recorded it with our friend Jarvis from Woods. I think he kinda stepped it up with these two tracks. He bought some new equipment. It sounds really really good, it’s kinda crazy, hi-fi sounding.
What are the new tracks?
The A-side is called “Tune,” and the B-side is a song called “Reservoir.”
How did the hi-fi come in? Are you still going to record on analog?
These songs we recorded in a mix between analog and digital. The drums and basic tracks were recorded on this analog half inch 8-track reel-to-reel, and we did the overdubs in digital. But we ran the digital tracks through analog pre-amps, so it still has that warm sound.
For the record, we want to go back to straight analog. I’ve been thinking about getting this machine that we used. My friend Sam recorded our first record on this Tascam MSR16. It sounds amazing. I’m planning on buying one and recording the album on that. It has the perfect blend. It doesn’t sound really lo-fi and shitty, but not too hi-fi either. And it’s not super expensive.
How’s work for the second album going?
Yeah, I’m trying to take advantage of this time I have off these two months to write songs and record some demos. The goal is to have it written by October. We’re going to sttart playing new songs on the next tour. It would be nice to have it demoed by the time we start touring.
How far along are you?
We have three songs for it. The A-side for the 7“ is gonna end up on the record. There are a couple others that are either half baked or fully done.
Are there any other details about the new album that you can share yet?
No, not yet. We’re still trying to figure it out. We want to get it demoed first. We might stick with Woodsist or we might not. That’s the next big decision, where we’re gonna put it out.
You’ve said in interviews that writing lyrics has been the most challenging part, but that you drew inspiration from the New Jersey suburbs. Did touring open up new areas for you, lyrically?
Yeah. Sure. When you have a lot of new places in a short amount of time, it’s densely packed with different experiences. Already the lyrical content of the new songs are more diverse and not as focused. The last record, we had a kind of a theme, and it was kinda cool to have a record when you have a theme. We’re trying to figure out when you have a theme that’s little bit less focused. My mind isn’t so focused when I’m traveling. Some of the lyrics are a little bit more abstract.
You came out with a lot of music in 2009. Are you a prolific writer?
No, there was just a buildup. We were lucky enough to get some attention and we wanted to put stuff out as soon as we could. We had a lot of songs that were ready to go. It was exciting to put out our first vinyl. But yeah, I’m trying to be prolific.
I saw on your Twitter that you wanted to start a new side project called AC Oasis?
No, that was a joke.
Aside from the shows you’ll be doing with Deerhunter, are you still doing basement parties?
We did recently. Matt had a party in his mom’s basement. We had 10 bands play it, with four songs each. Real Estate played, Mathew [Mondanile] played with Duck Tails, I played with Alex Bleeker and the Freaks, Big Troubles played. It was a big party. Yeah, it’s funny because we did that recently.
So with all those side projects, is Real Estate kind of the gravitational center?
Yeah, I dunno. I think we find a balance. I think that everybody is defintiely pretty committed to Real Estate, which is cool.