Chris Keating of Yeasayer
After discovering a mass audience for its intoxicating mix of New Wave, Afrobeat and psychedelic rock with its 2010 breakthrough album, “Odd Blood,” Yeasayer ramps up the experimentation exponentially on its third studio release, “Fragrant World,” out this week. The Brooklyn band plays songs from the new release Sept. 1 at Oakland’s Fox Theater, before sailing on the S.S. Coachella cruise later this year. Singer and programmer Chris Keating tells us what he was thinking. Q: Was there a moment after “Odd Blood” came out where you realized that people were finally getting it? A: I don’t know. I still wonder whether people get it or not. I felt like we made our first album and the second album made people go, “What … is this?” Q: That does seem to be the general reaction to your music. A: For us, it’s always been about a diverse array of influences and to filter them in a unique way. On the first album the things we were interested in were Tunisian ’70s African rock and chanty vocals. But I’m also really into the Cars and Fleetwood Mac and Depeche Mode. It’s more about trying to treat our brain like a human iPod.
Yeasayer: 8 p.m. Sept. 1. Fox Theater, 1807 Telegraph Ave., Oakland. (510) 302-2250. www.ticketmaster. com. Q: You regularly rework a lot of the old songs when you play them live. Is that just to keep yourself entertained? A: I don’t even know. I’m sure they can be better. It’s to keep ourselves entertained and to keep it engaging. To me they’re distinct experiences. Sitting at home listening to music on your iPod is very different than being at a show. I often find myself disappointed with a band that re-creates an album live. It sounds precious, as opposed to spontaneous. If we’re still doing this in our 60s, I’m sure we will revert back to a traditional version of the tracks. But one album away we’re going to play them differently now. Q: The band is adamant about not opening for other acts. What makes you think the S.S. Coachella cruise is a good idea? A: That seems like fun. Think about it this way: When we go on tour and I’m living on a bus, I’m sleeping on a bunk with 12 other dudes. … That’s as good as it gets. We spend weeks going through cold northern Europe. So when someone says, “Hey, want to go on a boat to the Bahamas?” And with bands I actually like? That’s a no-brainer to me. You’re going to pay me to go on a cruise and be with my friends by the pool? I mean, I’m never going to go on a cruise otherwise, so this is it.