For this Cursive, Cymbals Eat Guitars, Conduits show, it has been interviews, galore on our end. Matt Maginn had the chance to answer some of our questions regarding their upcoming show at The Highdive, touring with Cymbals Eat Guitars, and their new record I Am Gemini.
Smile Politely: So you all have been on tour for a few weeks now with Cymbals Eat Guitars and Conduit. Coming off your new release, can you describe how this tour might be different than others
Cursive’s Matt Maginn: Probably a lot more comedy sketches.
SP: How did you get set up with Cymbals Eat Guitars and Conduit for this tour?
MM: We have been fans of Cymbals Eat Guitars for a while and asked them blindly if they would like to come along. Conduits are an excellent band from Omaha that we’ve been following for the last year or so, and wanted to bring out on the road. Luckily, both bands said yes.
SP: Any interesting stories or strange encounters from the tour thus far?
MM: Nothing too crazy. We hope to collect some but nothing yet…
SP: What is the process like for integrating the new material into the set with songs you’ve been playing for years now?
MM: We really just look for ways to keep the set flowing. Sort of the same challenge with each release. Luckily they’re all our songs so it’s not too hard to work it out.
SP: I Am Gemini sounds a little bit different than records you’ve made in the past, but still maintains the same general Cursive feel. How do you feel about the finished product after the whole process is said and done?
MM: We are thrilled with it. We wanted to do a more rocking record but still have it be playful and fun, and I think we pulled it off at least to our liking.
SP:Turning to a more local festival – you guys are playing Pygmalion Music Festival Spring Series show at The Highdive. What’s your experience been like with Champaign-Urbana?
MM: We’ve always had a great time here. This will be our first time at The Highdive but the people and venues in the past have been very fun and staffed with good people.
SP: Cymbals Eat Guitars played in C-U about a year or so ago – what type of things did they tell you about playing in C-U?
MM: Nothing yet. Maybe they are waiting to surprise us.
SP: After your United States tour, you’re off to Europe. Any cities you are looking forward to playing in particular?
MM: Looking forward to Germany in particular. We have a decent amount of friends there that we are looking forward to seeing.
SP: What’s your experience been like playing in Europe as opposed to the US?
MM: It’s expensive. You have to rent everything of course. Also, you feel a little like a slacker because everyone speaks at least 2+ languages and we all only know english.
SP: What’s next for the band after this tour?
MM: We’ll probably just keep hitting the road. We tend to support our albums for a little over a year.
You can catch Cursive with Cymbals Eat Guitars and Conduits at The Highdive tonight (3/26), starting at 7:30 p.m.