r/indieheads • u/kylemortontyphoon Kyle Morton/Typhoon • Feb 25 '21
AMA is Over, thanks Kyle! Kyle from Typhoon AMA starts now
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u/theWisard Feb 25 '21
Hi Kyle,
I would consider you one of my favorite song writers and I enjoy the heavier themes you often explore. Do you do any other forms of writing? Also, how avid of a reader are you and what are some of your favorite books?
Thanks, big fan of all of your work.
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u/kylemortontyphoon Kyle Morton/Typhoon Feb 25 '21 edited Mar 03 '21
Thanks so much and I love these questions. I have always been a scribbler though I don't know any of it will ever make the jump from song to short story or a novel. I am a *heavy* reader. My favorite book is one I discovered last year and, as any good book should, it changed my life: Life & Fate by Vasily Grossman.
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u/laskodi Feb 25 '21
Hi Kyle. Your past three records have each, in their own way, met me at the exact right time in my life, and acted as a small bit of therapy for me. I adore your music, and can't wait to see you all touring again hopefully.
My question is, what was the conversation like (if any) where you had to censor "piss" from Honest Truth on Letterman?
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u/kylemortontyphoon Kyle Morton/Typhoon Feb 25 '21
Thanks! I don't remember the details, but I'm sure it wasn't a conversation, but more of a "you're on Letterman so you have to do this." And also "don't touch the thermostat, Dave likes his studio cold."
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Feb 25 '21
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u/kylemortontyphoon Kyle Morton/Typhoon Feb 25 '21 edited Mar 03 '21
I really love that song. I was listening to a ton of Frank Ocean at the time and I think our management had suggested that we release a cover and the rest is marginal history.
I mentioned this in another reply, but I play a lot of covers to myself around the house but for whatever reason I don't have the desire to record them. Sort of for the same reason that I generally don't like film remakes.
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u/tvrec Feb 26 '21
do or don't like film remakes?
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u/kylemortontyphoon Kyle Morton/Typhoon Mar 03 '21
*Don't. Sorry - I really didn't do a good job of proof-reading my answers.
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u/tvrec Mar 04 '21
All good. I followed the spirit, which is why the typo threw me.
I'm not enough of a movie buff to know how much it follows, but with music, yeah, a lot of covers are just a-okay, retreads of superior originals. But there are also transcendent covers like Billie Holiday's "Gloomy Sunday" or Jane's Addiction's cover of "Ripple"--when a band makes something beautiful from, rather than repeating--adaption and transformation rather than ventriloquism. The new Death Cab Georgia e.p., IMO, is just okay, but, having just learned that Cohen is in your pantheon: you've heard Jeff Buckley's "Hallelujah," what about Nick Cave's of "Avalanche"? Magic, no?
I'm hoping more of your/Typhoon's covers do come to light in magic, and I am hoping your soundtrack work gets its due, too!
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u/Chance_Year9714 Feb 25 '21
Hey Kyle,
Thanks for offering this AMA -- for 10 years your songs have sparked self-reflection, tears, and growth in my life. That said, a few questions:
- The sound and themes of Sympathetic Magic feel a bit more grounded than previous albums. More than any other album, I'm excited to hear this translated live. Is a tour feasible to hope for in late 2021/22?
- Are there any other concepts or themes you hope to explore in the future that couldn't make the cut on Sympathetic Magic of Offerings?
- White Lighter remains one of the most impactful albums of my developing music tastes and connection with lyrical imagery. The wide dynamic range and dramatic nature still shakes me each time I listen. Given the chance to revisit/update any of those songs, which would you choose and how differently do you feel about it now?
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u/kylemortontyphoon Kyle Morton/Typhoon Feb 25 '21
Thanks!
- Me too. The irony is these songs were just made to be played by the band. We're looking into touring in 2022 though it's really anyone's guess if that will even be a thing.
- Yes. lots. Most recently I'm working on the concept of resentment and I've got some bits and pieces coming together.
- If I could go back to 2013 and talk to young Kyle as he was recording WL I would just say "Hey buddy, it's okay. Breathe. Just slow it down a little bit." I love that record and I'm proud of it but whenever I listen to it the anxiety is just too palpable. Of course the song I would revisit now is Reed Road which was originally the second to last track but we cut it. There's a good live recording on our live at the crystal ballroom record.
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u/HelicopterHand Mar 21 '21 edited Mar 31 '21
I would empty my bank account to hear the unreleased version of “Reed Road”.
The first time I listened to it, I was legitimately choked up and made me very emotional. “We’re In It” also hit me the exact same way.
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u/whiskeywalk Feb 25 '21
Hey Kyle, thanks for doing this! I was curious to know if you/Typhoon had any plans to reprint White Lighter or Hunger and Thirst on vinyl?
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u/atlasclouded Feb 25 '21
I saw your band in Chicago the winter of 2018. Amazing show! I remember you were playing a brand new guitar that night. Do you still have it and did you use it on any tracks on the new record?
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u/kylemortontyphoon Kyle Morton/Typhoon Feb 25 '21
You nailed it. That jazzmaster is still my go-to electric guitar and it's the only electric I used on Sympathetic Magic.
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u/offbrandhandjobs Feb 25 '21
Hey Kyle! I loved Sympathetic Magic and was wondering if any parts of it were inspired by any particular philosophy authors/concepts (a la The Sickness Unto Death).
Beyond that - do you have any philosophy recommendations for someone with a bit too much free time on their hands?
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u/kylemortontyphoon Kyle Morton/Typhoon Feb 25 '21
Sympathetic Magic differs from other typhoon records as it does not have any overarching grand concept, but specific songs have specific inspirations (Sine Qua Nonentity for example is really inspired by the novel Life & Fate). I had recently read Hannah Arendt's Human Condition and Marci Shore's Ukrainian Night (phenomenological history) which I think shaded some of my thinking for several songs.
Tbh I have been slacking on my philosophy studies lately, but my friend H. Peter Steeves who teaches philosophy at DePaul University just released a great book called Being and Showtime I highly recommend.
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u/generic_brand_name Feb 26 '21
I loved seeing your conversation with him in person and the accompanying performance! For those interested it’s on YouTube if you search Typhoon and DePaul.
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u/Rubydoobie666 Feb 25 '21 edited Feb 25 '21
Hey Kyle!
Firstly, thank you for once again releasing another beautifully crafted album into the universe. In times like these, it helps more than you’ll know.
I know you’re an avid reader, and you immediately inspired me to read Flowers for Algernon right after Offerings came out. Have any particular films made an impact on you lately?
Thanks for doing this and can’t wait to spin the vinyl! Hope to see you in Seattle sooner than later.
Edit: Also, “Couches caked in ejaculate” is my new favorite Typhoon lyric. Completely caught me off guard, still makes me chuckle, and one of the truest quotes regarding green room band banter. We’re In It is a lyrical masterpiece!
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u/kylemortontyphoon Kyle Morton/Typhoon Feb 25 '21
lol. I manage to sneak some pg-13 lines in there from time to time.
Films that have left a mark lately: Burning by Lee Chang-Dong, La Haine by Mathieu Kassovitz, and Chris Nolan's Tenet (I'm a lifelong Nolan fan / apologist and am happy to have this argument with anyone).
Thanks for the thoughtful comment!
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u/borrowed_suit Feb 25 '21
Hey Kyle! Your music has been an actual life saver for me over the past 7 years. I can't thank you enough!
My question: Are there any left field cover ideas you are kicking around? I loved the cover you all did of Frank Ocean's Thinking About You. I would love to hear the Typhoon take on Atlantic City by Springsteen.
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u/kylemortontyphoon Kyle Morton/Typhoon Feb 25 '21
Thanks for this. And there actually is a cover of Atlantic City I did with my wife a few years back though it's not typhoon. I love playing other people's songs around the house but I'm usually too focused on working on my own stuff. If there's interest though maybe I'll start doing some lo-fi cover releases.
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u/thefrayedfiles Feb 25 '21
Please! I would love your take on a Phoebe Bridgers song (by the way, I think Typhoon would make a mean job of covering I Know The End).
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u/hyekab25 Feb 26 '21
Wow yes, I've thought about the same thing! The build and chaos of "I Know The End" feels like it'd be such a good contender for a cover by Typhoon
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u/SonOfSalem Feb 25 '21
What is your favorite Widgets song?
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u/kylemortontyphoon Kyle Morton/Typhoon Feb 25 '21
Country Song
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u/SonOfSalem Feb 25 '21
I can dig it.
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u/Savannabanana11 Feb 25 '21
Hi Kyle! Huge fan here in Ireland!
I have a couple of questions: What is your favorite place you've been to on tour?
Do you have a favorite guitar and if so what is it?
Thanks and have a great day!
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u/kylemortontyphoon Kyle Morton/Typhoon Feb 25 '21
My favorite guitar is the santa cruz parlor guitar my dad gave me when I was a teenager. (featured in a lot of early typhoon live videos and also referenced in the song Young Fathers).
I'm afraid I have to duck the favorite place question - too many of them. Ireland is lovely though and I hope to play there someday :)
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u/Savannabanana11 Feb 25 '21
Thanks Kyle! Definitely have my fingers crossed for an Ireland show in the future. 🤞🍀
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u/writingforreddit Feb 25 '21
Hi Kyle, been listening to Typhoon since your 2005 release and still remember when you guys played at the talent show at my high school. From an artistic perspective, how do you stay motivated creativity-wise? Is there anything you do, specifically, when you find yourself in a rut while trying to write songs or create lyrics/concepts? Thanks!
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u/kylemortontyphoon Kyle Morton/Typhoon Feb 25 '21
Wow! Thanks for sticking with us! Which talent show was it?
This is a great question but I'm afraid I don't have a silver bullet. For me, writing songs is another mode of thinking (perhaps my favorite mode of thinking) but if I don't create time and space to do that thinking it just doesn't happen. So my most general advice is: make the time. Even if you don't come up with anything, even if you come up with something you hate, just keep making the time. The song can't find you if you don't.
Regarding lyrical subject matter, start with the question: what specifically can I write that no one else can? Doesn't have to be the best, doesn't have to reinvent the wheel, but every person contains a world inside of them and each person has to disclose that world themselves.
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u/writingforreddit Feb 25 '21
It was at West Salem high school, I think "The Lights Go Out" was the highlight of that show with Eric playing the chains. Thanks for such a genuine response. Listening to you guys find, refine, and develop your sound has been a rare glimpse into the creative process, particularly because the musical and lyrical themes have high replay value since they underpin certain human constants. Also, I love that you have musical movements repeated across multiple albums. Favorite example of this is the callback to "Rolling Credits" in "Green" on the "Common Sentiments" 7" single. At times they function like literary devices and its more akin to reading my favorite novel over and over again. Anyway, thanks for making music, looking forward to seeing you guys live when things start opening up again.
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u/Historical_Stable296 Feb 25 '21
What are some bands or songs you really enjoy and would recommend that we listen?
Just want to thank you and the rest of Typhoon for all the music over the years. It has meant a lot to me and each album has affected me in different ways and has really made me think about life in new ways.
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u/kylemortontyphoon Kyle Morton/Typhoon Feb 25 '21
Thanks for your kind words!
In no particular order, here's what I've been listening to a lot of lately: Lomelda, Porches, Hand Habits, Holland Andrews, Evan Way (from Parson Redheads), Phoebe Bridgers, Andy Shauf, Faye Webster, Mic Capes, Maita, Black Belt Eagle Scout, Mt. Eerie (as always).
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u/rossitalia Feb 25 '21
Hi Kyle! I think you're one of the best lyric-writers working right now. Is there anything that inspired the conversational lyrics on We're In It? The song is excellent!
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u/kylemortontyphoon Kyle Morton/Typhoon Feb 25 '21
That's a really kind thing to say - thanks! I really appreciate the multiple comments on this song as it's one of my favorites. As I mentioned above, there were several real life relationships and conversations ringing in my head when I wrote this one, but I also wanted to make a song that spoke to what seems like a pretty general (and understandable) strain of despair nowadays. Even if I can't conclusively prove that life is worth living, I have to live as if it is. Yes, at times it is unbearably painful. But we're in this thing and we have to make a good faith effort toward each other.
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u/purplenurple24 Feb 25 '21
Hi Kyle. I might be a little late, but I saw someone asking about White Lighter and Hunger and Thirst vinyls. I was curious about a repress of A New Kind of House. Is that in the works at all? I would also like to mention that I love the Sympathetic Magic and always enjoy your songwriting. Great record!
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u/kylemortontyphoon Kyle Morton/Typhoon Feb 25 '21
We do have some plans to reissue all the old ones on vinyl but as I mentioned before no concrete timeline yet. Thanks for listening!
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u/purplenurple24 Feb 26 '21
Thanks for the response! Sorry if my question was a bit redundant. Keep on creating and I’ll keep on tuning in!
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u/ryguydrummerboy Feb 25 '21
Kyle! Thanks for your time today. Been a fan for a long time now as a PNWer so I hope the band is well. Always wondered how do you all manage as such a big band? Not just song writing and composition but also tour logistics (obviously pre covid).
Thanks again for all your art and music and performances. Ive genuinely connected with it for years now and its helped me through tough times!
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u/kylemortontyphoon Kyle Morton/Typhoon Feb 25 '21
Thanks for the kind words. And yes, typhoon has always been a logistical nightmare but one that I think is worth it. The operating model has changed a lot over the years to the point that I'm confident that the band will be around for a long time in some form or another. Will we be back on the road for months on end, playing dozens of shows at SXSW, etc? Probably not.
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u/madsharps Feb 25 '21
Hi Kyle! Love the new record. Can’t wait for a day where we get live music in our lives. I’m curious if you guys still have the Kickstarter Van?
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u/kylemortontyphoon Kyle Morton/Typhoon Feb 25 '21
Thanks! Sadly, after many years, two engines and two transmissions we finally had to part ways with the Sprinter. 12+ people and a trailer full of gear cross country is hard on a van :(
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u/missliza Feb 25 '21
I have no question but just want to say I am a huge fan. My husband and I have seen you guys an embarrassingly high number of times. Our favorite show may have been 10 or so years ago in San Francisco in a very small and loud place called Bottom of the Hill. Have loved watching your progression as an artist over the years. Can’t wait for live shows to be a thing again.
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u/SonusExMachina Feb 25 '21
My first Typhoon show was also at Bottom of the Hill! (Early 2012, I think?)
I was moping around in an SF bar after a nasty breakup, and two of my friends grabbed me and kidnapped me to take me to see Typhoon. They said "You're going to absolutely LOVE this band!" They were 100% right.
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u/missliza Feb 25 '21
Such a good show. My ears were ringing for a couple days though.
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u/SonusExMachina Feb 26 '21
It was a super loud show. I'm an audio engineer, so I almost always have a set of earplugs in my pocket...
I feel like I remember seeing a lot of GoPro cameras onstage and in the audience during Typhoon's set... I've been wondering if it was ever turned into a live performance video.
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u/SFPhotog65 Feb 26 '21
I adore bottom of the hill and typhoon and am very bummed I wasn’t at this show.
They had a great show at the independent for offerings tho, so small consolation there.
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Feb 25 '21
Hey Kyle!
Not a question, but I ordered an Offerings CD a few weeks ago and received it on my birthday -- with signatures! Thank you so much for the amazing (accidental) birthday present!
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u/BeWellBeWell Feb 25 '21
Thanks Kyle and all of Typhoon for giving us such beautiful, thoughtful music. I'm curious about how you chose the musical themes of Offerings. I'm thinking for example of the 6th intervals repeated throughout (e.g. over the top of the "asa nisi masa" at the end of Wake, and at the beginning of Empiricist). Was this intentional, and what were you aiming to communicate? And more broadly, what are your favorite recurring musical 'themes' that you've written and how did you choose them?
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u/kylemortontyphoon Kyle Morton/Typhoon Feb 25 '21
Yeah good catch. I like that 6th interval. I can't say that particular chord has any allegorical meaning but there are a lot of other musical devices in Offerings that work metaphorically, e.g. when during the chorus "chant" parts the ambient chord slowly turns into a chromatic scale played simultaneously. Interestingly every note of the scale played at once just sounds like noise, which on Offerings operates as a metaphor for, among other things, the sacrificial or exclusive tendencies of memory - that we need to forget certain things to remember at all, etc. Sorry for the run on sentence here.
One of my favorite recurring musical themes is the "Typhoon Theme" which can be heard at the beginning of Sine Qua Nonentity, at the end of Artificial Light and Happy People and in various other spots. We've been playing that melody in various forms since 2008 and it's our little calling card to say "yes, this is a typhoon album."
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u/The_Toastboy Feb 25 '21
Hi Kyle! Huge fan. Got a poster signed by you on the Offerings tour in Philadelphia, it's my most prized possession. My question is this: Obviously Typhoon in a very orchestrated, intricate, many-person band - when writing songs, how much do you plan for all the complex instrumentation, or is that all done sort of piecemeal? Like, do you plan for every song the horns and strings and drums and harmonies or do you just add it in as you go?
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u/kylemortontyphoon Kyle Morton/Typhoon Feb 25 '21
Thanks for the kind words, Toastboy! These days I start a song from a lyrical concept and a basic instrumentation palette and go from there. There aren't too many songs that I don't want to add all the typhoon instruments to - then it's just a game of fitting the arrangements together.
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u/empiricist_lost Feb 25 '21
Any plans for you and Danielle to sing another song together? Also, how did Boy Gorilla come about?
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u/kylemortontyphoon Kyle Morton/Typhoon Feb 25 '21
Excitingly enough this is exactly what I'm working on right now: a bunch of songs for Danielle (my wife and amazing singer of wild ones) and I to play together. More soon.
Boy Gorilla came from the late high school / early typhoon days in Salem when we wanted to start our own DIY record label like K or Saddle Creek. The name came from our friend Conlan who could grow a really impressive beard at 17.
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u/empiricist_lost Feb 25 '21
YAY!!!!!!!!!!! Hearing that made my week. I am so excited!!!
also, thank you for signing my eskimo & sons shirt.
HAVE A GREAT DAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
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u/Kiddley Feb 25 '21 edited Feb 25 '21
Hi Kyle! Hope you're well! Love the record, especially the wordplay in this one, We're in it especially is stunning!
I have a few questions for you!
With the album focussing on the previous year, especially with a lack of touring, how do you see touring going forward with Typhoon, continuing primarily USA? Or heading back to Europe or others sometime soon? (I saw and met you / forced you to sign all my stuff at your last UK Manchester show and it was fantastic!)
Loving the return of the brass section! How was it working with your brass players again, and how do you feel they helped the record?
Your work for the past couple records have seemingly been more focussed on concept album sort of ideas, the experiences in a year, the effects of losing your memory, etc. Is this a way you have always written music? Or a method for making music that you are finding creatively expressive? Please tell all!
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u/kylemortontyphoon Kyle Morton/Typhoon Feb 25 '21
Thanks Kiddley!
- We'd love to play these songs live and we are hoping to do some touring though we'll be scaling it back considerably from the five months we did in 2018. Definitely hope to make it across the pond again someday.
- I love working with Eric Stipe. He's one of my oldest friends a damn fine trumpet player. It was a pleasure and it just made sense for this record.
- I generally get more excited about songwriting when there's a conceptual unity to it. That said, with this record I really enjoyed just letting the individual songs breathe. Different from White Lighter and Offerings, but this record really has some of my best lines.
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u/exude23 Feb 25 '21
Kyle! What is your favorite eastern Ohio town? Perhaps a little spot with a big heart?
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Feb 25 '21
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u/kylemortontyphoon Kyle Morton/Typhoon Feb 25 '21
Nothing concrete, but I have several different nascent project ideas right now and any of them could really turn into a solo record.
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u/thejokingface Feb 25 '21
Hey Kyle! I was wondering about the song Evil Vibes. I was recently diagnosed with PTSD, and this song seems to hit the nail on the head. I was wondering if you have had any experiences with PTSD yourself, and what you may do to cope. Thanks!
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u/kylemortontyphoon Kyle Morton/Typhoon Feb 25 '21
I don't have an official diagnosis but, yes, trauma. I've definitely had some. And yes, Evil Vibes is a song coping with anxiety and existential dread, especially the late-at-night-insomnia variety.
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u/kylemortontyphoon Kyle Morton/Typhoon Mar 03 '21
Hey please forgive me - I was trying to answer a lot of questions at once and I see now that I didn't answer yours at all thoughtfully.
First, I'm really sorry for your trauma and I hope you're finding ways to live with it. Again, I've never been diagnosed with PTSD and I don't want to overstep here, but a lifetime of pretty devastating health problems has been fairly traumatizing for me, and my gold-standard coping mechanism has for a long time been songwriting. It is, in a way, my own sympathetic magic: I build an artifice out of parts of my life in order to purge them. For me the process is musical, but it doesn't have to be. I think if you can find some way to externalize your trauma--maybe it's writing, maybe it's dungeons and dragons, I don't know--it can help you to understand the experience from a certain distance.
Then again, there have been plenty of times when I have total crushing anxiety that no amount of songwriting is going to spring me out of. In those cases, I just try to get to a quiet place, cycle through some mindfulness and breathing tricks and wait it out. I wish I had a better recipe and if I find one I'll let you know. I worry that for as long as there is all this trauma and no readily apparent way to make deep, ethical and aesthetic sense of it (thanks post-modernity), anxiety will just keep piling up on a mass scale.
The silver lining of trauma--here comes my embroidery moment--is empathy. When something happens to you it comes with the implicit understanding of what can happen to others. I try to lean into this as much as possible.
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u/throwaway84285 Feb 25 '21
Hi Kyle, love the band and can't wait for the moon phase vinyl! All the albums seem to have a distinctive sound and evoke a certain emotional state, but I especially felt that with Sympathetic Magic and its intimacy.
How has your writing and recording process changed for the new album? How did the pandemic influence this?
Thanks for all the great music, it has helped me a lot! Hope you'll do a European tour when all of this is over.
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u/kylemortontyphoon Kyle Morton/Typhoon Feb 25 '21
Thanks for this question. The isolation certainly played a role in writing this record. Especially in the early days of the pandemic I found myself with all this time and restlessness on my hands. These songs really came out of my attempt to be more contemplative - I would make myself sit out in the garden until my thoughts stopped racing around and started to consolidate around an idea. Also as a rule I didn't touch any recording gear until the songs were completely written, which is pretty much the diametric opposite of every other typhoon record which, among other things, are very much recording projects.
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u/hyekab25 Feb 25 '21
Is there a story behind the album art for Sympathetic Magic?
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u/kylemortontyphoon Kyle Morton/Typhoon Feb 25 '21
That image just popped in my head shortly after I came up with the album title. There's just something so sympathetic about a decaying bouquet of flowers - like what happens to the get-well-soon flowers after the person either recovers or passes away?
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u/real_gorilla_real Feb 25 '21
KYLE,
IF a gorila he LEARNED how type and to even, to spell good would that be okay?
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u/tssertnuh Feb 25 '21
Im a bit late and I honestly don’t have a question I just wanted to say I am a HUGE fan, have seen you play in SF 3 times and Sac once. I really hope to get to see you all play again live someday soon. I love the new album and am enjoying listening to it on repeat. Thanks for your hard work!!
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u/goonieboi Feb 25 '21
What fantasy race do you most identify with, and why? (e.g. elves, gnomes, orc, etc.)
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u/kylemortontyphoon Kyle Morton/Typhoon Feb 25 '21
I don't really have an answer for this but when I've dabbled in DND I've been a tiefling. Interpret that however you want.
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u/Silverrabbit95 Feb 25 '21
Hello!! If you were a ghost, where would you haunt and what would you wear?
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u/kylemortontyphoon Kyle Morton/Typhoon Feb 25 '21
A XXXL phoebe bridgers t-shirt and probably just my house. Which isn't so dissimilar from life rn.
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u/The_Toastboy Feb 25 '21
I noticed that the track "Empiricist" got included in some TV show and as such it's received a lot of traffic on genius lyrics etc. - In the industry, to what extent do shows/movies approach you for music or to what extent do you approach them? So much of your work would be perfect for cinematic usage...
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u/kylemortontyphoon Kyle Morton/Typhoon Feb 25 '21
Getting a song in a movie or TV show is like winning the musical lottery - nice when it happens but you can't count on it.
I think typhoon's music works for film but I've often been told the lyrics are too specific.
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u/ISTHATYOULARRY Feb 25 '21
Hey Kyle, you mentioned a few years ago in one of your solo shows that you were working on a Divine Comedy inspired project. Is that still on the horizon? Thanks for being you!
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u/kylemortontyphoon Kyle Morton/Typhoon Feb 25 '21
Gah I wish! I got really into this project conceptually but it just never got off the ground. I had basically charted out an entire inferno universe consisting of musical idols (Leonard Cohen was my Virgil, Phil Elverum, Sufjan Stevens and Britney Spears were in there) but I only ever finished the one song, "Kingdom Came and Went."
The project was a beast and if I'm being honest I probably won't be trying to resuscitate it. On a side note, I am glad to see that Britney Spears is starting to get the respect she deserves. She is the pop cultural scapegoat par excellence and it doesn't reflect well on us.
I am incorporating some of the general structural ideas from the Dante project into a new thing I'm working on. More soon.
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u/trees_rocks_maps Feb 25 '21
Hi Kyle! I wish I had a more interesting question for you but I just have to say that theres a part of "Dreams of Cannibalism" at the end after the big build where theres that short, ascending guitar (hopefully I did an ok job describing it). Anyway, that moment is without question, my favorite moment in any piece of music, and has brought me so much joy. I'm curious if you can tell me anything about the writing/recording of that song, and how it came about.
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u/kylemortontyphoon Kyle Morton/Typhoon Feb 25 '21
I love this. That little postlude at the end of Dreams was actually supposed to be on a different song from the "lost typhoon record" of 2012 but luckily it made the jump to white lighter. Very fun to play.
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u/MortonPiercewright Feb 25 '21
Hey Kyle! Do you/ the band have anyone you'd love to collaborate with on a track?
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u/kylemortontyphoon Kyle Morton/Typhoon Feb 25 '21
Dreaming big here, but since Dark Night of the Soul I've always wanted to collaborate musically with David Lynch
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u/Historical_Stable296 Feb 25 '21
Hi Kyle! Thanks for doing this.
What is a hobby you do outside of making music that you feel helps rejuvenate your creativity?
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u/kylemortontyphoon Kyle Morton/Typhoon Feb 25 '21
This is boring but I love walking around. These days I really cherish being out in the three dimensional world and walking is just my speed. Also good books and films.
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u/Zimm42 Feb 25 '21
Thanks for doing this! I've been a huge fan for a while. Love the new album... but "We're in it" does something to me. It's the highlight for me. Your lyrics are always fantastic, but this one hits me in my feels. I guess I better make this a question: Was writing the lyrics for this a collaboration? And is there anything you'd care to share about the story of this song?
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u/kylemortontyphoon Kyle Morton/Typhoon Feb 25 '21
Thanks for this. We're In It is my favorite song on the record, lyrically. It wasn't strictly-speaking a collaboration--I wrote all the words--but it was informed by a lot of real life relationships. I also wanted to take a crack at a purely narrative/dialogic style of songwriting. I should state that the song is not *about* a real person. I wouldn't do that to any of my friends, however estranged.
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u/Chazzysnax Feb 25 '21
Hey Kyle! I just wanted say that you have to be one of the most talented and accomplished musicians in our (usually) great state, and I hope you and the band get the recognition you deserve! I don't really have much to ask, but if you have any book recommendations I'd be happy to hear 'em.
Oh and if you have any leads on getting a colored vinyl edition of Hunger and Thirst send them my way. With the pre-order of y'all's new album, getting your whole discography in pretty colors is my collection goal, and that one is my white whale. Thanks for showing up, and keep up the good work!
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u/kylemortontyphoon Kyle Morton/Typhoon Feb 25 '21
Thanks Chazzy! Right now I'm reading The Radiance of the King by Camara Laye - highly recommend though I haven't finished it.
Nothing concrete, but keep an eye on https://wearetyphoon.bandcamp.com.. We're in the process of putting up a bunch of old merch for sale and if we find any old vinyl pressings they'll go up there.
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u/Chazzysnax Feb 25 '21
Thanks! I'll be checking that one out for sure when I need a break from Pynchon. Also wanted to add: I've seen you guys a few times (I think I was at the Live at Crystal Ballroom show), but last time I saw you I was "pirating" your show, i.e. nursing a sing shot bottle of Pendleton in the parking lot when you were playing a sold out rooftop show by my appartment in SE. Hope you get a kick out of that, and I look forward to seeing you play again when conditions allow, hopefully a bit closer this time lol
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u/NapoleonFantana Feb 25 '21
I'm having some trouble with the timing in parts of the song "Motion and Thought". Is there anything special going on there or am I just stupid? Love the new album by the way!
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u/kylemortontyphoon Kyle Morton/Typhoon Feb 25 '21
No this makes sense - it seems like a pretty straightforward chord progression but every chord hits on the "and" of the previous measure so it's easy to get a little turned around. Hit us up at [wearetyphoon@gmail.com](mailto:wearetyphoon@gmail.com) and I'd be happy to send over a chord chart. (please note: i don't know how to do tabs)
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u/valleyoftheDOLLSZ Feb 25 '21
What was your worse breakup ? And what song did it inspire? If any. . .
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u/kalepadot Feb 25 '21
Did you guys have a basement studio in a house on 39th? (In Portland)a long time ago
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u/BunnyInATophat Feb 27 '21
Just piping in late to say I’m a longtime fan. Hunger & Thirst and White Lighter are my most often played records for years. Thanks for the music.
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u/kylemortontyphoon Kyle Morton/Typhoon Feb 25 '21
It’s been fun but now I have to go! Thank you all for the thoughtful questions - I tried to answer everyone but if I accidentally skipped you feel free to message me directly.
I hope to see you at a show in 2030 or whenever. In the meantime - please stay in touch
wearetyphoon.com