Car Seat Headrest perform in The Current studio
by Mark Wheat
July 18, 2016
Will Toledo, frontman and visionary behind Car Seat Headrest, is introducing the world to Car Seat Headrest, the band. "This is no longer a solo project," he declares. "I pretty much think of Car Seat Headrest as a band at this point."
In town to play a sold-out show at the Triple Rock Social Club in Minneapolis, Car Seat Headrest — comprising Toledo, along with lead guitarist Ethan Ives, bassist Seth Dalby and drummer Andrew Katz — stopped by The Current's studio for a session hosted by Mark Wheat.
Car Seat Headrest recently played at Pitchfork Festival in Chicago, where The Current's Leah Garaas saw them perform a cover of David Bowie's "Blackstar." Toledo says Car Seat Headrest covered the song because it matched the tempo and key of the next song in the band's set, "Times to Die," which they wanted to combine with a cover. "['Blackstar'] is also a good song, we all liked it," Toledo adds. "It was not solely because it fit the tempo that we chose it." (Web exclusive: Use the audio player above to hear Car Seat Headrest reprise their cover of "Blackstar" in The Current studio.)
Toledo says Pitchfork was the first U.S. festival they've played since South by Southwest back in April, and he shares a reason he's a big fan of festivals. "I like playing during the day, I don't like staying up late," Toledo explains. "The day after [Pitchfork], we had to stay up till midnight to start playing. That's too late for us, we just want to go to bed."
Listen to the complete in-studio session to hear more from Car Seat Headrest, including insights into Toledo's creative process.
Songs Performed
"Stop Smoking"
"Fill in the Blank"
"Unforgiving Girl (She's Not An)"
"Blackstar" (David Bowie cover; web exclusive track)
The first song comes from Car Seat Headrest's 2011 album, Twin Fantasy, and the following two songs are from Car Seat Headrest's 2016 album, Teens of Denial, available on Matador Records.
Hosted by Mark Wheat
Produced by Derrick Stevens
Engineered by Michael DeMark and Andrew Broussard
Visuals by Nate Ryan
Web feature by Luke Taylor
