The indie rock-pop band, Papercuts, led by San Franciscan Jason Quever, have released a series of well-received albums, culminating with You Can Have What You Want, which was released this April on Andy Cabic and Devendra Banhart’s Gnomonsong label. Quever has collaborated with Cabic’s band Vetiver before, and has been involved in recording and producing a wide variety of projects at his Pan American Recording Studio. Having your own home analog studio means you can take the time to perfect a warm, vintage-referencing sound, so it’s little surprise that You Can Have What You Want expertly sculpts nostalgic California pop into something thoroughly modern.
You Can Have What You Want is definitely a shift for Papercuts, but it’s not out of left field. After the band’s 2007 release, Can’t Go Back, Quever found himself moving past that album’s Byrdsian folk-rock, and becoming more interested in embracing the dreamy-pop sounds that have long touched his works. With the new album, the warm haze is front and center, with Quever’s vocals resting atop gorgeous layers of warm keyboards, an aesthetic likely influenced by Alex Scally’s (Beach House) involvement. As discussed in the interview, Scally’s role was hard to define, but it’s notable as the first time Quever has had a collaborator so involved in crafting Papercuts’ sound. Where Papercuts go next is anyone’s guess, but You Can Have What You Want is an affecting work from this talented band.
We sat down with Jason to discuss the band’s early days and the new album. We’ve included four Papercuts songs in the episode.
Upcoming Shows:
Thursday, June 25, 2009
The Independent
with Port O’Brien and Still Flyin’
8pm, $13/$15
