Luckily the association has helped more than it's hurt. "I've met a lot of people through Pitchfork who have influenced me tremendously as a musician," says LeMay, 23, who's been writing for over five years. "If [Pitchfork editor] Ryan Schreiber hadn't played me a Chavez song on a mix tape in his Geo Metro…who knows."
Get Him Eat Him hasn't exactly skyrocketed to Arcade Fire or even Clap Your Hands levels of acclaim, but its second album, "Arms Down," has received a warm welcome from in-the-know critics, scoring a respectable 7.2 from the 'Fork. Produced by Jason Caddell of Dismemberment Plan fame, it's an appealing collection of terrifically twisty indie rock.
We asked LeMay about his dual roles in the music biz, the question of selling out…and sandwiches. Yes, sandwiches.
You're on record as being a Guided by Voices fan, having awarded their best-of a 9.5. Think you'll still be rocking for the kids when you're 48 like Uncle Bob?
I can't really imagine there being a time when I'm not working on music in some capacity. But I don't think I'll ever be able to rock a stage quite like Uncle Bob. I can barely touch my toes, let alone kick over my head.
It's pretty brave of you to do rock criticism and then open yourself up to that same criticism (though critics seem to like you guys quite a bit).
The funny thing is, I don't think it's particularly brave or strange that I'm writing about music and making music at the same time. I make music, I think about music, I have opinions about music. In most any artistic community at most any time, the idea of an artist writing about his or her medium seems perfectly logical. A lot of people in bands used to write zines, run labels, etc. I'm pretty unnerved by the careerification of indie rock, and by the idea that occupying multiple roles necessarily constitutes a "conflict of interest."
With indie rock becoming so mainstream these days, I'm wondering what your opinion is on the whole issue of “selling out.” Will we be hearing your super-catchy songs in a Jaguar commercial?
It's obviously great that independent musicians are getting more recognition and more resources. And I don't think that it's wrong for bands to seek out a wider audience. But whether or not Band X sells their song to a Jaguar commercial is the least of our worries. I think we have to be careful that, as we embrace indie rock's newfound popularity, we don't erode the infrastructure that allowed it to exist on a smaller scale. As for us, I would never sign Get Him Eat Him to a major label. I would, however, accept a steak dinner from a major label A&R guy.
I'm sure you've heard of the new covers record out called "Guilt by Association," wherein indie bands cover their favorite "guilty pleasures." What song would you want Get Him Eat Him to cover for such a comp?
Hmmm...I'm not really sure if I believe in the idea of guilty pleasures. There was talk of doing a Fleetwood Mac cover when we were on tour, but I don't even know if that counts as a guilty pleasure. I once did a cover of the song "IM Me" by Brittney Cleary, but that's kind of a long story....
You've put out several CDs with beautiful handmade artwork, including an EP that was packaged with a tiny working basketball game. Did any of you guys go to art school?
I'm not very good at visual art, but I enjoy the impresario role...I have far-fetched and elaborate ideas for merchandising, which I rely on my more artistically talented bandmates to execute. Except for the times when they come up with the ideas and execute them. In which case I'm usually just hanging out and eating bon bons or something.
Speaking of eating, you guys have a very fun sandwiches blog. What was the last awesome sammich you ate in New York?
I had a great grilled haloumi cheese sandwich at Aroma on Houston and Greene in New York a few days ago.
Get Him Eat Him plays Oct. 18 at Arlene's Grocery (11 p.m.)
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