Although it was released digitally in January, Tiny Moving Parts’ This Couch Is Long and Full of Friendship finally received a full physical release recently on vinyl via Kind of Like Records and on CD via Black Numbers.  The band, which consists of guitarist/vocalist Dylan Mattheisen and his cousins, Matthew (bass/vocals) and Billy (drums) Chevalier, are hitting the road hard this summer including dates with The Front Bottoms and Frameworks (all tour dates below).
The Minnesota-based three piece also shared a new live video for their song “John P” off their debut full-length.  Recorded by Greg Lindholm who also recorded their record, “John P” shows off the band’s signature twinkly guitars and heartfelt, raw vocals.
Watch the video: http://youtu.be/AxSuNJsUBcU
Ghettoblaster caught up with drummer Billy Chevalier while the band was in the midst of their tour to discuss the record, which reminds us of Pianos Become The Teeth and Hot Cross…hot right?  This is what he said…
When did you begin writing the material for your most recent album?

Most of the album was written in spurts last fall in the month before we recorded, but some of it is as old as 2012.  It felt rushed trying to find time when all three of us had work off.  For the next album, (which we are going to write this fall) we will all have time off to write together. And we are getting hecka stoked!
What was the most difficult song to take from the initial writing stage through recording and mixing?  Why was it so troublesome?

We finished writing “Grayscale” and “Amateur Night” in the studio.  That felt a little rushed, but it was whatever.  We would’ve liked more time to write, but the studio time was already booked, and we were excited to start recording!
Which of the songs on the record is most different from your original concept for the song?

We recorded another part of “Grayscale” that ended up getting removed from the song and forever gone.  The part was technical and just didn’t fit the song.  We are happy how it turned out though, and it’s one of our favorite songs to play live.
Did you have any guest musicians play or sing on the record?

Prodigy Mike plays the violin on “John P”.  He was 16 when he recorded, and he nailed it! We just had him play whatever he thought up, and it turned out great.
Who produced the record?  What input did that person have that changed the face of the record?

Greg Lindholm recorded/mixed/mastered/everythinged it. We had lots of input on it, but he is great at what he does and had our trust.  He made the studio process lots of fun too.  We drank beers and watched YouTube videos to keep it a fun environment!
Is there an overarching concept behind your new album that ties the record together?

It’s all about growing, learning, and accepting.  We tried to incorporate situations everyone goes through and lessons everyone learns.
Have you begun playing these songs live and which songs have elicited the strongest reaction from your fans?

We’ve been playing them since before they came out. A lot of fans know “Dakota” and “Clouds Above my Head”. It feels so great to look up and see people singing along. Nothing can top that.
(Catch the band at one of these forthcoming tour dates:
7/18 – Baltimore, MD – Ottobar*
7/19 – Blacksburg, VA – I Got Brains
7/20 – Blacksburg, VA – I Got Brains
7/21 – Frederick, MD – Saint Episcopal Church
7/23 – Columbus, OH – Skully’s*
7/24 – Newport, KY – Southgate House*
7/25 – Indianapolis, IN – The Hooiser Dome*
7/26 – Nashville, TN – The End*
7/28 – Wilmington, NC – Soapbox Lounge*
7/29 – Richmond, VA – The Camel*
7/30 – Pittsburgh, PA – Mr Roboto
8/01 – Grand Rapids, MI – The DAAC
8/02 – Rockford, IL – Revival House
8/03 – Chicago, IL – Gnar Fest
8/04 – Minneapolis, MN – VFW (uptown)
* = w/ The Front Bottoms)