ALEX BLEEKER OF REAL ESTATE

Hi Alex and thanks for taking the time out to speak with us at Musicology. Firstly congratulations on the new record The Main Thing. In terms of the writing and lyrical content, was there an overarching narrative tying the album together or an assortment of topics and inspirations that zig zag throughout the record?

Collectively, the band was in kind of an existential place when we started writing and recording this record. The album is about asking yourselves hard questions , as we were. What is the purpose of making a fifth album 10 years into a career ? What’s the point of making art in an increasingly anxious world? Ultimately, we discovered through making music together once again that pursuing what feeds your soul is perhaps more vital than ever before.

Engineer Kevin McMahon returned on this project as producer and was having Kevin back on deck comforting in knowing what he is capable of having worked with him previously, or was there a desire from yourselves and Kevin to push the working relationship in new directions that stimulated creativity for you all?

There was a real sense of urgency on this record, and we wanted to be really careful not to repeat ourselves. We needed someone to push us into new territory. It’s a bit funny that we went back to an old and dear collaborator to achieve new sounds on this album. Kevin wound up being the best person for the job because he’s known us for so long. He was deeply invested in the project on a personal level and he was not afraid to challenge us and our choices.

For The Main Thing you brought in some external instrumentalists. Can you elaborate on why you thought it was necessary, what you expected it would contribute to the record and also how the outcome married up with your expectations?

Like I said before, we wanted to be certain not to repeat ourselves on this record. Bringing in outside players and people who can play other instruments was a great way to create a more dynamic sound. We’ve never had strings or guests vocalists on a record before - and five records in it was time to branch out beyond the central band members for inspiration. We really let all of the outside collaborators have a lot of freedom - so it’s their own creative stamp you are hearing on there.

Do you feel like this an album that could have only been created at this stage in your career or does it contain many universal qualities that are in many ways timeless?

Yes to both. This album is deeply reflective of where we are right now as a band and how our perspectives have shifted in recent years. We needed to push forward into new sonic territory, and we needed to express ourselves in the face of mounting global anxiety. With that said - it’s always our goal to create music with a timeless quality.

Having meet and performed with so any different musicians and artists over the years, during that time, has there been any defining moments or words of wisdom that were spoken to you which really resonated with you and in turn altered the way you approach your craft?

An older musician once told me that the music business is like riding a wave. Sometimes you’re on the top and sometimes it feels like you’re on the bottom - but it’s important to stay on, knowing that you could always go up or down.

Something of a philosophical note but what does music give you that nothing else does?

I truly believe that sharing music with other people, be it by playing together or simply listening collectively, is cathartic. It fosters deep and real human connection. I love music, it’s very important!

You have a North American tour coming up and can we expect to see you touring in Australia and New Zealand anytime soon?

I sure hope so! We absolutely love playing there.

When you are on tour, does it inspire you in ways that ultimately finds its way onto future releases or are you so focused on the task at hand that writing and jamming takes something of a back seat?

Travel is always inspiring and tour is absolutely no exception.

Can you share with us one particular standout show from your long history and what made it so memorable?

I absolutely loved playing Golden Plains - what a location! Hopefully we’ll have a chance to come back some day.