Brendan Benson’s introduction to the music industry–the release of 1996’s “One Mississippi”–is a familiar one: Debut a major-label disc to critical success and commercial failure; get dropped from major label.
Rather than hang up his guitar or toil in obscurity, the singer-songwriter took what was left of his major-label advance, bought a house in Detroit and set up a home recording studio.
He recorded “Lapalco” and released it in 2002 on StarTime International, a small New York independent label. The album’s Beatle-esque tales of heartbreak attracted an underground following and went on to sell more than 15,000 copies, a respectable amount for an album recorded and promoted on a non-existent budget.
It also caught the attention of V2 Music, a large independent label that’s home to fellow Detroiters The White Stripes. And in March, V2 released Benson’s third full-length album, “Alternative to Love.”
We caught Benson on his cell phone as he waited to sound check his band’s performance on the “Late Late Show with Craig Ferguson.”
Is there an “Alternative to Love”?
It’s not a riddle or anything; I just thought it sounded cool. I’ve made stuff up [to explain the album name] in the past, then I read it and think it sounds stupid, so I don’t try to explain it anymore.
The Times of London said your last album had “wrist-slashing introspection.” Everything going OK these days?
Yeah, I’m fine. I don’t know what the hell that was about. That’s an awful image.
When’s your album with Jack White coming out?
Early next year, probably. It’s done; it’s ready to go. I’m [promoting] my record now, and he’s doing his. We figure after that, we’d like to do some touring behind it.
You once told Jack White that The White Stripes would never get radio play. Has he reminded you of that lately?
Nope. He’s never brought it up; I’ve brought it up to him. [Laughs] How wrong was I, huh?
Aside from guitars, strings and clean shirts, what are you packing on tour?
Not much. I usually do this thing on tour where I get obsessed about little things that I go out in search of. Today it was deodorant; you know that crystal rock? That was my goal today. It’s funny; I know it’s a surrogate activity that I do to feel normal. It’s funny the person I become on tour; I start to go for those New Age things. The rock? That’s not something I’d bother with at home.
What is it about being on tour?
I think it’s because I feel unhealthy. I think things like, “God, I really need to start taking care of myself. OK, I know, today I’ll go get some vitamins.” It’s usually a decision I make in a clouded hangover state.
I’ve got to imagine there are a few hangovers on tour.
Yeah, almost every day, to varying degrees.
Ever give yourself a “no drinking tonight” talk?
Kind of. The other guys in the band do; they’re very disciplined. I don’t. [Laughs] Actually, I don’t drink a whole lot, but it doesn’t take much for me to be hung over.
Brendan Benson
opening for Keane
When: 6:30 p.m. Thursday
Where: Aragon, 1106 W. Lawrence Ave.
Tickets: $27.50
