Real. That is the only way to describe The 1900s, because that is exactly what they are: real people with real thoughts and real ambitions creating real music.
The Chicago based band currently is a collection of six people – Edward Anderson (vocals and guitar), Charlie Ransford (bass), Jeanine O’Toole (vocals and percussion), Caroline Donovan (vocals and keys), Pierce Doerr (drums), and Andra Kulans (violin). I spoke recently with Jeanine O’Toole who told me a little bit about the band, their music, and their plans and goals as a group.
Over the years, The 1900s has seen members come and go, evolving the band to its current lineup – a group of six who met through friends, other bands, or jobs, O’Toole said.
The constant through it all has been each member’s dedication to what they create. The 1900’s crafts each song meticulously perfecting all the aspects of that one song before deciding it’s finished. This is something that in their eyes sets The 1900s apart from many of the other bands of the day.
“The bands who are getting real big right now are looser. They make records with four tracks and play shows in basements,” O’Toole commented. “But we are still spending hours working on vocal harmonies and bass tones, and no one wants us to play in their home.”
Most songs start off with an idea from Anderson (guitar), but the finished product is definitely a group collaboration.
“Ed shows up to a get-together with an idea or he e-mails everyone a basic idea for a song. Then we work on it by ourselves a little and some people will add their ideas to the recording. Then there are sectional get-togethers where we tell each other what to do and add or take away ideas, and this is also recorded. This all happens for a long time until the song is just right,” O’Toole explained.
“Drinking and smoking happens throughout,” she added.
The inspiration and influences for the music come from different places. Brian Eno and Magnetic Fields are what O’Toole called the axis of the group’s influences. But she also said that her inspiration, specifically, comes from humans’ finesse. Things like conversational charm, dancing and skateboarding. “Restaurant and shop employees have incredible grace and sex appeal,” she said.
The end result is music that the term “pop” doesn’t do justice. It is melancholy and catchy, with a folky hint that has kept it playing in my apartment since I first learned of The 1900s. Many, particularly those in the Chicago area, have felt similarly, and the band is well received through their shows as well as their CDs. Of course, as with any band or art form, there are always critical fans.
“A little perspective helps,” O’Toole said of The 1900s’ fans and their opinions. “Recently, a guy who comes to a lot of our shows told me that one of the newer songs was not ‘the best song ever.’ I didn’t know what to say. Should I apologize?"
“I just told him, ‘Well, no, that is not the best song ever, “When the Levee Breaks” is the best song ever."
Still, the band wants the fans to enjoy their music and want to hear more of it. At least enough that when they buy a CD from the group at the end of a show, they “don’t regret that purchase later and sell it to Reckless for one dollar.”
Thus far, The 1900s has released four albums through Parasol, all of which are available through Amazon and iTunes. The latest, a limited edition seven track, mini album, was released in January of 2009. O”Toole said they will probably release a new record soon, possibly by the end of the year. What songs specifically will be on it? Well, they’re likely still being crafted. But regardless, “It will be great,” O’Toole said.
Check out The 1900s on MySpace at www.myspace.com/1900s.
