FOLIOby JEREMY GOULD
When one thinks of gospel music, the phrase might bring up childhood memories of listening to church choirs belting out glorious praises. But those who have been privileged enough to hear Jacksonville-based band Gospel Music know that musical salvation is at hand.
Gospel Music is the brainchild of Owen Holmes and has become a full time gig for the Black Kids member. With the backing of the mighty Kill Rock Stars label and an impending tour, Gospel Music is poised to take its wit-pop to new heights.
Having grown up within the conservative confines of the River City, Owen has made his religious upbringing the centerpiece for this debut record, How to Get to Heaven from Jacksonville, FL, which came out on 12-inch vinyl and digital on October 25. Owen took some time to speak with EU Jacksonville about the new record, touring and past heartbreak.
EU Jacksonville: Tell us about the new Gospel Music record.
Owen Holmes: It has 11 songs- one for each of my failed relationships. (Well, except for the song about sharks, which one early reviewer criticized for relying on a “leaden metaphor,” but it’s no metaphor. It’s about real sharks.) I made the album in my apartment in Riverside and in a lean-to out by the airport. The girls I’ve shared it with invariably describe it as “cute,” so mission accomplished.
EU: How different is the full-length than the previous EP?
OH: Gospel Music has not evolved, thank the Lord. I still write short, verse-chorus-bridge songs with the lyrics up front- wit-pop, as I would like someone to describe it. And it’s still got lots of guy-girl vocals, except for this time, instead of roping in popular indie singers like I did with the EP, I was feeling slightly less opportunistic and sourced female vocals locally, from one Madeline Long. She’ll make you weep. Trust me.
EU: Where did you get the title How to Get to Heaven from Jacksonville, FL?
OH: It’s a nod to my fundamentalist Christian youth (which I outgrew; now I believe in… science). You know those little religious pamphlets telling you to repent of your sins and accept Jesus? As a teenager I used to hand out this one that was produced by my church, First Baptist (the big one downtown), and it was called “How to Get to Heaven from Jacksonville, FL.” That’s the title of the record, and the cover of the pamphlet is the cover of the record, and, probably taking things too far, a reproduction of the full pamphlet is included with each copy of the vinyl. It’s kind of a concept.
EU: You obviously have the name Jacksonville in the title of your record, but how does living in Jax affect your music?
OH: Here’s one way: the first single on the record, ‘This Town Doesn’t Have Enough Bars for Both of Us,’ is about an obstreperous ex and I trying to avoid each other by drifting between Wall Street and Birdies.
EU: Have you gotten any good buzz for the new record?
OH: Full reviews should come out later this month, but so far Pitchfork has premiered the first single and video. Seattle Weekly had this, which I should probably be offended by but kinda love, to say: “Owen Holmes is trying so hard to channel the Magnetic Fields feeling that ‘HTGTHFJF’ sounds like a damn love letter to Stephin Merritt. If you don’t mind the undeniable imitation, the songs are just as quirky and fun.”
EU: It seems like the music scene in Jax is on an uphill climb. How do you feel about this?
OH: Does that mean it’s getting better or worse? I saw Antique Animals a while back and was very impressed, if not a little jealous. Also, Pretty To Think So can write a good tune. When they feel like it.
EU: What has been on the record player lately?
OH: Lots of Pulp and lots of Orange Juice (whoa!). Also, I’m reading the 33 1/3 book on Belle and Sebastian’s If You’re Feeling Sinister, so I’m revisiting that record, this time from a much wonkier perspective.
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