Impounded Inquiries: Wooden Shjips

Wooden Shjips

Like black smoke rising against a bright blue sky, West (released September 13 on Thrill Jockey) stands out on the horizon, beckoning one closer as fires burn and throw off crackling, barely contained energy. The third long-player from San Francisco’s Wooden Shjips jettisons earlier obfuscation for a modernized psychedelic bent that’s direct, powerful and determined to bust through to what’s on the other side. “The other side of WHAT?” you ask. Specifics are hard to nail down but these are surely songs more than mood pieces, moving through the night and seeking flight, purposeful vibrations that snake dance and shimmer in the fog, outlines clearer than past efforts but a sharp focus remaining elusive. There’s room to maneuver as a listener within West, which honors their S.F. liquid light forefathers by snagging the match and lighting new things ablaze.

Wooden Shjips’ drummer Omar Ahsanuddin joins us to wrestle with DI’s philosophical survey.

What’s the first thing that springs to mind when you see the word “God”?: Stephen Colbert… his parody of a hyper religious politician isn’t too far from the real thing!
Which has the better cosmology, Star Wars or Star Trek? Why?: Star Trek, definitely. The Star Wars films are great but they don’t really get into cosmology. In the latest Star Trek film, Spock time traveled backwards and spoke with his younger self and helped Scotty discover new transporter technology that he wouldn’t discover until years later. I always enjoy a good time travel movie.
Name one album that has spiritual resonance for you.: Van Morrison’s Saint Dominic’s Preview
Woody Allen once said, “I don’t know the question but sex is definitely the answer.” So, what’s the question?: Who knows??!
You can have a dinner party with any three people throughout human history. Who do you invite, what’s on the menu and what intoxicant do you share for dessert?: I’ve just been reading Keith Richards’ book and it sounds like if you had Keith and Anita Pallenberg over you wouldn’t need to invite anyone else… maybe John McEnroe, too, just to ensure that things are lively.