Perhaps the best sign of a fledgling band’s success is whether or not they have had the formal opportunity to " sell out. " For Albuquerque’s The Shins, the day has finally arrived and lead singer James Mercer is prepared to sell out in style. " I’m not too proud to have my songs in a commercial, " explains Mercer on his way to Seattle to perform the second date of the band’s tour with The Preston School of Industry. But wait a minute, Mr. Mercer. Doesn’t that go against the whole independent rock ethic, you know fucking the establishment and stuff, keeping it real? Mercer elaborates: " I’m hungry and I don’t have a trust fund, so whatever. "
In fact, The Shins have been keeping it very real for the better part of a year, touring endlessly, affably doing press with suddenly-interested journalists such as myself, and releasing one of the year’s most-loved albums, Oh, Inverted World A concise collection of perfectly polished pop songs, Oh, Inverted World has quickly become a staple in any self-respecting college radio playlist. Seemingly out of nowhere, it has inspired an epidemic gooey ardor unseen since the heyday of Belle and Sebastian and the thick-rimmed eyewear constituency most certainly has a crush on The Shins.
" It’s nice to finally be at a point where we can tour and not end up in debt, " Mercer ruminates, referring not only to improved financial circumstances but the widespread appreciation that's finally arrived. Yet the band’s success is not without its pratfalls: burgeoning ardor and anticipation breeds the possibility for disappointment, and Mercer occasionally finds himself worried about letting down his growing fan base. For this reason, he is perfectly comfortable with The Shins assuming the opening band slot on their current tour, despite possessing an arguably larger following.
Plus, who is going to nitpick about such details as stage times when hitting the road with Scott Kannberg, a former member of one of The Shins’ all-time favorite groups (Pavement)? " It’s an honor, " Mercer explains, succinct yet wholly sufficient. He is similarly wowed and appreciative that the evening’s show in Seattle is going to be recorded by legendary sound master Phil Eck (this live material—along with a few unreleased studio tracks—should see release in the near future, probably as an EP). Oh yeah, and they just finished a series of dates opening for Modest Mouse, themselves not exactly slouches in the college rock circuit. All this, after eight years making relatively unnoticed music under the guises of Flake and Flake Music.
Inverted world, indeed.
The Shins appear at the Middle East tonight with Preston School of Industry.
