Vetiver spread their seed...

Fri 2nd Jun, 2006 in Features

Consider the following two paragraphs:

Vetiver is an East-Indian fragrant grass. It has the potential to grow to large heights; up to two metres to be precise. But its roots are well grounded; it can penetrate to three metres deep. Vetiver can survive up to 50 years or even more: a long-lived perennial, seemingly timeless. The essential oil derived from the grass is described as “woody, earthy, herbaceous, spicy almost smoky”.

Vetiver is a San Francisco folk band. It has great potential to reach large audiences, with two albums garnering critical acclaim. But its roots are well grounded in the traditions of storytelling and melody. The music style has survived for well over 50 years but Vetiver still sound timeless. The essential elements of the band could best be described as its organic and earthy innocence, and its smoky, yet spicy effortlessness.

Well, the definition fits but why do we use names to justify means? Vetiver’s leader Andy Cabic is well aware of modern mankind’s need to give everything a title. When his group released their serene debut album in 2004 critics lumped their sound in with the predominant freak-folk or – perhaps a little more politically correct – psych-folk movement of the time. Sure, it was largely acoustic folk-narratives but it was understated not over-the-top as the likes of Devendra Banhart, Joanna Newsom and Animal Collective specialise in.

“People like to label things,” Cabic lamented. “It’s not always right but it helps people.”

The convergence of all things musical on the Internet has resulted in an even greater need for people to assign bands certain genres. The giant network that is MySpace allows people to organise their lives to the point that there is an “Edit Personality” button. But Cabic isn’t buying into the MySpace phenomenon.

“Someone had already set up an account for the band. I rang up the record company to try and get it taken away but in the end we just took over it.”

Well, almost. This disregard for modern technologies and trends can be viewed on Vetiver’s MySpace page where their sound is self-described as “Thrash/Black Metal/Christian Rap”. If ever there was an invitation for someone to have a listen for themselves that was it.

Call it what you will but it is hard to deny the ethereal beauty displayed on both Vetiver and new album To Find Me Gone. Slightly more conventional To Find Me Gone veers away from folk towards Americana based soft-rock and laid-back, country-tinged laments. Perhaps it was simply freak-folk by association all along. Vetiver included an extended family of guests: scene poster-children Devendra Banhart and Joanna Newsom, as well as Colm O’Ciosoig (My Bloody Valentine), and Hope Sandoval (Mazzy Star) joined the solid base of Cabic, Alissa Anderson (cello), and Jim Gaylord (violin).

“I don’t know about the ‘big family’ thing,” Cabic laughed. “We recorded the first album at Hope Sandoval’s house, whom I met through Colm O’Ciosoig. I wasn’t playing a lot of shows at the time but it was basically recorded with whoever I was playing with around then. I guess it was a family in that we all admired each other as well as played together.

“But it was very loose, and in truth it was more of a solo album. The new album is the same except it is now a bigger ‘family’. It’s more the album I would have done the first time had I had the resources. It retains a lot of the hushed tones of the first album while also expanding out a lot more,” Cabic explained.

Cabic, like the almost notorious Banhart, has an interesting story or two that can shed light on his musical development.

“When I first moved to San Francisco the rents were crazy. I ended up sharing a house with eight other people – living in a hall closet. I didn’t own an electric guitar. I got to learn how to play quietly and to record on a four-track where I was able to simulate making a more expansive sound than what was really the case,” Cabic divulged. “Everything starts with writing for yourself.”

Also just like Banhart, Cabic shares a special relationship with his audience and live performance in general.

“It’s the same live,” Cabic stated bluntly. “I don’t feel burdened by expectations. There’s a million ways people can spend their time and money, so for me it is a treat. It’s the thrill of playing your wares to other people, an honour.”

Whilst on the topic of live performance, talk turns to Australia, where Cabic toured in 2004 as part of Banhart’s touring band, known as “Hairy Fairy” and “Queens of Sheba” among monikers. Cabic was meticulous with his memory of the great southern land. When I mentioned that I attended Banhart’s show in Sydney, he shot back “Which one? The big or the small one?”

He had me thinking. Um, the big one?

“Yeah the small one was a bit strange. There was a meal provided and it was kind of a theatre set-up. We had a lot of fun in Australia. Audiences in were great, really receptive. But I just got back from a tour of Europe with Devendra and audiences everywhere have been good.”

“I remember we went to Brisbane, Melbourne and Sydney but we just weren’t there long enough! We’re working with a distributor down there, Stomp, and trying to see when Vetiver can make it down,” Cabic let slip.

With the release of To Find Me Gone it could be that the roots of Vetiver have penetrated even further, in fact to the other side of the world. Whilst the potential to reach larger audiences is always enticing, Cabic is uncertain as to the benefits of global fame.

“Everything is fine in moderation; however there’s a lot of hassle involved with reaching larger audiences. Doing things you don’t want to do. I’m happy to reach the people who really want it.”

And if the Australian music-loving population tune into Vetiver’s sweet, otherworldly charm (now that is a label that sits well with me) that could well be us.

Vetiver’s To Find me Gone is available now through Stomp