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Tommy Walter, the man behind Abandoned Pools (and former Eels bassist) has released three full-length albums and is preparing a fourth. GroundSounds caught up with Walter to discuss the band’s latest album, as well as his thoughts on the music industry and how it has changed.
GS: You’ve been making Abandoned Pools music now for over a decade. How have you grown as a songwriter and how have your influences changed or evolved?
TW: I have a better instinct for songwriting now. It happens naturally and I don’t have to force it. When I first started I could have been accused fairly of being derivative. Now I don’t refer to any other artists to help inspire me.
Your fantastic third album Sublime Currency is out now on Tooth & Nail Records. You’ve mentioned that it’s a more joyful record than your past work. What do you attribute this to?
Marriage, aging, experience, knowing myself better. My daily life is not as much of a fight as it used to be. Though there are still challenges of course.
That positivity is evident in one of my favorite songs from the album “Hype is the Enemy.” What inspired this song?
There are tons of self-promoters in the music industry and the world in general. They often put promotion ahead of merit. That creates a lot of white noise and blurs reality. All my favorites things can exist quietly.
Do you have a favorite song from the new album or one that stands out as particularly special?
Behemoth is my favorite. I especially like the melody. And the lyrics are about giant trucks on the road (and the drivers) that I wish weren’t there. The world would be a less aggressive place.
How was your experience with Tooth & Nail?
As of now, we’re no longer on the label. We (and a lot of other artists on the roster) were sold to Universal. So ultimately working with Tooth & Nail was a disappointment.
Who are some of your favorite musicians/bands making music right now?
Thom Yorke, Sigur Ros are the top ones right now. Otherwise, I listen to a lot of film composers. Alexandre Desplat’s score to The Tree of Life is especially good.
Looking back on all the music you’ve created with Abandoned Pools, Eels, and all your other projects, is there something you’re especially proud of or a “favorite memory” of yours? Along the same lines, is there something you haven’t done (a place, performance, or accomplishment) that you’d love to happen?
Writing the theme song to the Mtv animated series Clone High was a highlight. I was animated and had a line in the season finale. I wish they’d bring that show back. As far as what I haven’t done yet, I’m looking forward to scoring films.
From a musician’s perspective, how has the landscape of the music industry changed from when you first began to now?
It’s changed drastically. I no longer consider it a viable way of making a living, if it ever was. The support is no longer there. Artists aren’t being developed at all. Luckily, I have a salary job as a composer for television so I’m grateful for that.
What advice would you give to musicians just starting out?
Write music, don’t just be a performer. There’s much more money in that. Be prepared to hear “no” a lot. Be careful when you’re trying to get attention, you may not be ready yet.
What is coming up next for you? Where can readers stay updated with Abandoned Pools?
I just finished a new album that should be out this summer. Abandoned Pools is on Facebook, Twitter and at AbandonedPools.com
Abandoned Pools – “Sublime Currency”
Live Performance Photo by Tracy Vanessa
