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with Jason Weidner of Loretta
Big
Questions with Troy Brownfield
 All
right. We've been talking about Loretta throughout 2003 here
at the mighty Shotgun. We've talked about how they're Indy's
greatest musical treasure. We've talked about how they're
impacting national venues and radio. And now, the boys (l.
to r. bassist Jim Shaffer, drummer Jeremy Weidner, vocalist/guitarist
Jason Weidner, the amazingly limber vocalist/guitarist/keys
Damon Weidner, guitarist Stan Muller) are about to take an
even bigger stab at the masses.
In his
review of their sterling new Benchmark
Records release, "The Translation", our Music
Editor Shawn Delaney expounded that it was "an amazing
introduction to one of Indianapolis’ finest rock outfits,
offering up a virtual tour de force of layered guitars, terrific
harmonies, and boundless energy."
I can't
say it any plainer. These guys are The Deal. Their single
"The
Fire" is set to impact on national commercial
radio on January 20th; it's already been in heavy rotation
on National Commercial Specialty Radio, college radio, and
XM for months. You WILL know Loretta. Make an early jump and
meet Jason Weidner right now. And make way for The Next Big
Thing.
THE BIG Q&A
Q1.
You, Damon and Jeremy grew up in an environment that fostered
a love of music; did you three always figure on starting a
band together?
A1.
I think there was always some manner of plan to do music together,
but as we were growing up, I for one, hated rock music. The
problem was the only rock I heard until I was in high school
was hair band stuff. It wasn't until I heard Disintegration
(The Cure), Ritual de lo Habitual (Jane's Addiction), and
strangely enough, Apollo 18 (They Might Be Giants) that I
realized rock could be a medium for artful expression.
Q2.
Please explain the foundation of Jihad at I.S.U., and how
that became Loretta.
A2.
I met Stan when I was a sophomore at Indiana State. Turns
out, we liked the same kind of music and started hanging out.
We began playing acoustically together at what they called
AmJam (an open mic type situation) in the Union. Damon and
Jeremy moved down the next year, and we started Jihad. We
would rehearse every day, and yet, we didn't play shows. To
look back on it now, it was very strange. I'm not quite sure
what the game plan was.
Q3.
You've really had quite the spectacular ride. You win the
Budweiser/Benchmark Records Battle of the Bands in 2002. You
sign with Benchmark. You play at Indy's Lollapalooza stop.
You record and release "The Translation". You hit Number 1
on National Commercial Specialty Radio. You get great reviews.
You're Artist of the Week on XM Radio. You showcase at CBGBs
and The Whiskey. You play X103's X-Mas concert. How do you
begin to even wrap your head around so many events occuring
in such a short span of time?
A3.
We do our best to take things one day at a time. To be sure,
the last year has been wonderful to us, but at the same time
we're struggling with some of the same things we were a year
ago: how do you balance the schedule with the realities of
everyday life (i.e. work and family). Anytime we start feeling
big-headed, we just have to realize we still have day jobs.
There are many bands out there that have a pie-in-the-sky
goal of "making it." For us, the reward has always been the
process itself. Regardless of how things turn out, there are
the little victories that no one can ever take away from us-the
things we'll be able to tell our children in 20 years and
feel like cool old men.
Q4.
Even though Loretta has been building uncanny momentum, you
fellas still have day jobs. Is it hard to go to work when
you know you're being played on the radio in Florida?
A4.
No. But it is hard to go to work when you just drove back
from New York, haven't had any sleep, play a show that night,
and head to L.A. the next day. At least one of us has this
experience nearly every week. When we were touring last month,
we heard ourselves on the radio outside of Los Angeles and
again in Amarillo, Texas. Jim and I talked about how weird
it is that listeners must imagine us rock stars, and yet here
we were hurrying home to get a day in at work before the holidays.
No doubt about it, we'd love to be able to do music full time,
but I think there's something really cool and Romantic about
busting our asses as working stiffs.
Q5.
How does the creative process work for the band? Do you take
songs in and work them up together, or is there an agreed-upon
hierarchy of how songwriting functions?
A5.
I am the primary songwriter. Generally speaking, I have a
very specific vision of what each song will sound like in
its completed form. I kind of multi-track songs in my head.
The coolest thing is when it comes together exactly like I
had envisioned. Sometimes it doesn't work out as planned,
and depending on the situation, that can be either really
good or really bad. The band is invaluable as arrangers.
Q6.
Where do you see popular music going in the next five
years, and how do you see yourself in relation to it?
A6.
Hell if I know. I've been hearing for years now how indie
labels are going to start beating the crap out of the big
boys. I hope it's true both from the perspective of an artist
and as a music fan. However, I do think even if this happens
the geniuses in the music business will find a way to take
something real and genuine that is financially successful
and water it down so it can be fed to the mainstream music
buyers. The so-called alt-rock of the late '80's and early
90's has become the hair metal of today-so full of cliches
and so opposite from where it started.
Q7.
Exactly why does Loretta have so damn much trouble with
vans?
A7.
I doubt we have any more trouble than anyone else. I think
we just whine loudly about it! That said, our troubles have
ended. Rock Van V is a champ. After driving just under 7,000
miles in two weeks, it passed the final test by making it
in and out of the Bermuda Triangle of the Midwest-Columbus,
Ohio. Our only trouble now is selling our old van. It's a
good van and survived a potentially deadly impact with a deer
(just outside Columbus, Ohio). It's fixed. Somebody buy it!
Q8.
Has Damon ever had vertebrae surgically removed?
A8.
That's funny. I'm not aware of such a surgery, but he
did claim from about the age of six that he was hatched from
an egg that came from Mars, so who knows. Damon was state-ranked
wrestler in high school. Most of his success was attributed
to his flexibility.
Q9.
Do you ever casually glance to your left and think, "Aieee!!!
Giant! Oh wait, that's just Stan"?
A9.
One time I saw Stan walking from a distance and thought, "That
guy walking with Stan's fucking short." Turns out, the guy
with him was 6'1.
Q10.
One thing that is repeated over and over again about your
live shows is the sheer ferocity and emotion that you put
into it. Does that come from a sterling belief in the power
of the music that you've made together, or is there a burning
desire to make a point, or is it something else entirely?
A10.
I don't know. It's just what we do. It's what we've always
done. I remember the first time I saw pictures of us playing
I thought, "Huh, we look kind of pissed." I can say that a
really rocking show is cathartic. I guess some people lift
weights; others go through screaming therapy; we act like
idiots on stage.
Q11.
What's the big plan for the rest of '04?
A11.
Our commercial radio campaign begins 20 January. The publicity
campaign begins shortly after that. We're going to try to
tour our butts off until Spring, and I guess we'll take a
look at where we are then. I'm excited to make another record,
but I don't think I'm allowed to think about that for quite
some time.
Obviously,
we owe big thanks to Jason for taking a moment at an obviously
busy time and answering some questions. Loretta is a great,
great band that deserves your support. Take some time to check
out their site,
and for God's sake, see them in their natural element: live.
As always,
if you have someone that you'd like to suggest for a Big Question,
let Troy know at psikotyk@aol.com.
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