an end of 2009 interview w/ Martin Courtney of Real Estate
by Bill Pearis
DOWNLOAD: Real Estate – Beach Comber (MP3)
Real Estate @ Market Hotel (more by Leia Jospe)
So we asked a load of NYC-area bands to tell us how their 2009 went, via a handy questionnaire…
New Jersey’s Real Estate were one of the breakout bands of the year, putting out a slew of records on influential labels (Woodsist, Underwater Peoples, Mexican Summer). They also typified the dreamy “Beach Sound” that was definitely one of this year’s more prominent trends. And if you haven’t heard their debut album, you definitely should. You can download “Beach Comber” at the top of this post. Real Estate don’t have any NYC dates scheduled, but they will be heading off on an extensive European tour in early 2010 — so look out, Prague! Real Estate frontman Martin Courtney answered the questions below…
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You released a whole bunch records in 2009. How did that go? Why so many?
It just sort of happened that way, wasn’t really a planned out thing. It’s definitely been a dream come true seeing our music get released on vinyl.
What were your favorite albums of 2009?
I really liked, in no particular order:
Bill Callahan – Sometimes I Wish We Were an Eagle
The Beets – Spit On The Face Of People Who Don’t Want To Be Cool
Woods – Songs of Shame
Julian Lynch – Orange You Glad
Yo La Tengo – Popular Songs
Kurt Vile – Childish Prodigy
Girls – Album
Favorite Singles/Songs?
Nodzzz – True To Life 7″
Andrew Cedermark/ Family Portrait Split 7″
The song “Astrology Screen Savers” by Big Troubles
Ariel Pink’s Haunted Graffiti – Can’t Hear My Eyes 7″ (not sure if that came out this year)
Fluffy Lumbers – Cruisers 7″
What was the best show you saw in 2009?
Girls at monster island basement, or the Woodsist showcase at Ms. Beas during SXSW (Kurt Vile/ Violators set in particular).
What was your most memorable musical moment of 2009?
Too many to pick one. Woodsist/ Captured Tracks festival on the 4th of July, SXSW in general, the Todd P. Fort Tilden beach thing, playing at the Whitney w/ Titus. Those were some good times.
What about non-musical moment?
The last couple episodes of Curb Your Enthusiasm.
Favorite place to play in NYC?
Probably Cake Shop
Best new NYC-area band?
Big Troubles
What’s the best and worst thing about being in a band in NYC in 2009?
Best: Many, many opportunities to play and awesome bands to play with.
Worst: I don’t know, CMJ was pretty hellish.
Favorite Michael Jackson song?
“Man in the Mirror”
What is the proper way to incorporate “Meh” into your band name?
Real Estate? Meh.
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Video of Real Estate throughout the year (all shot by Ray Concepcioñ) and those European tour dates are below:
Real Estate @ CMJ 2009
The Loneliness of the Long Distance Runner: Real Estate [Part 3 of 14] from Ray Concepcioñ on Vimeo.
Real Estate – “Black Lake” at The Annex, May 2009
Real Estate // Black Lake from Ray Concepcioñ on Vimeo.
Real Estate – “Fake Blues” at The Annex, May 2009
Real Estate // Fake Blues from Ray Concepcioñ on Vimeo.
Real Estate 2010 Tour Dates
Jan 9 -Johnny Brenda’s w/ the Extraordinaires Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Jan 25 -Jehrico Tavern Oxford, London and South East
Jan 26 – Hare and Hounds Birmingham
Jan 27 – Now Wave @ Def Institute Manchester
Jan 28 – Captains Rest Glasgow, Scotland
Jan 29 – Nation of Shopkeepers w/ Spectrals, Fair Ohs Leeds
Jan 30 – The Lexington London, London and South East
Jan 31 – Manuscript Ostend
Feb 1 – Paradiso – Upstairs Amsterdam
Feb 2 – Prinzebar Hamburg, Hamburg
Feb 3 – Lades Copenhagen
Feb 5 – Magnet Club Berlin, Berlin
Feb 6 – TBC Leipzig
Feb 7 – 0 0 7 Prague
Feb 8 – Yellow Stage Frankfurt Am Main
Feb 10 – Diagonal Loft Club Forli
Feb 11 – ISC Club Bern
Feb 12 – La Peniche Dijon
Feb 13 – Fleche D’Or Paris
Feb 14 – TBC Tolouse
Feb 16 – Plan B Porto
Feb 17 – Via Latina Coimbra
Feb 19 – ZDB Gallery Lisbon
