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The Monsters of Folk by Norah Jones (Relix Revisited)

Today we look back to our October 2009 cover story on Jim James, Conor Oberst, Matt “M.” Ward and Mike Mogism: the Monsters of Folk, as interviewed by Norah Jones

The Monsters of Folk have a dry sense of humor. From the name—one gets the sense that the origin is about as tongue in cheek as Christopher Guest’s fictitious folk group from A Mighty Wind —to the interpersonal relations of the foursome, this band operates on loving sarcasm, a playful attitude and a truckload of talent.

Comprised of Bright Eyes’ Conor Oberst, My Morning Jacket’s Jim James, Matt “M.” Ward and producer/musician Mike Mogis, the Monsters of Folk have delivered a 15-song album that hears equal contribution from all three principle songwriters (Mogis, while playing on most tracks, assumed a producer-like role). It’s hard to imagine that of any artists, these three would have the time to cut a truly collaborative album.

Since the musicians first toured together in 2004—though had not yet fully employed their moniker—the recorded output for their “regular” gigs has been nothing short of impressive as each put out a minimum of two full-length albums (to say nothing of the critical praise the records received). So why, between the albums and the touring, would they want to take on another project? What were these Monsters of Folk all about? For the answers, we asked singer/songwriter Norah Jones to investigate.

No slouch herself, Jones is also an artist in perpetual motion. An acclaimed songstress that leads her own well-heeled band in support of the 16 million albums she’s sold, she’s equally comfortable as a member of The Little Willies, a classic country cover band, as she is El Madmo, a garage rock trio that released an album in May including song like “Rock Yr Balls Off” and “Head in a Vice” (it was released on Oberst’s record label, Team Love). She also starred in her first major motion picture, Blueberry Nights, opposite Jude Law in 2008.

Jones agreed to interview The Monsters of Folk while completing her latest album, which is due out at the end of this year. Produced by Jacquire King, whose recent work includes Kings of Leon, Tom Waits and Modest Mouse, the album promises to deliver a different sound for Jones.

Lastly, Jones isn’t just a fan of Conor Oberst, Jim James and M. Ward, she’s also a friend. Having shared the stage with each—particularly Ward who opened a number of shows for her in 2007—she offers unique perspective on the collaboration.

So with everyone finally together after five-way scheduling, we let the tape roll.

***

Conor, Jim and Matt, you’ve been playing together ever since I’ve known you—well two of you at least. How did you guys meet? I don’t think I really know that story. Or is there a story? You can make one up if you want.

Conor Oberst: I met Matt because I was a fan. I had his record End of Amnesia and I really liked it. My booking agent Eric Dimenstein was also booking for him, and through this weird twist of events I ended up knocking on his door in Portland and he got in my van and drove to San Francisco and we played a show together. When was that, Matt, 2001?

Matt Ward: That sounds right.

Wow, it’s been a long time.

Ward: Old homies.

Conor: I met Jim kind of the same way—just that I love the Jacket and we finally got introduced and played a show together. It was true love right off the bat.

[Jim James chuckles]

Did you introduce Matt and Jim or did they already know each other?

Conor: I don’t know how that happened.

Jim James: We met in Conor’s basement. Conor had an S&M rig set up.

[collective laughter]

Jim: He had us blindfolded and we just wound up down there. It was just the two of us.

[ongoing laughter from everyone]

Jim: It was kind of awkward.

How come I’ve never been invited, Conor?

Conor: Open invitation.

[more group laughter]