Q+A with Colfax Abbey
What's the story behind Colfax Abbey’s song "Feel"?
The band wrote the song together as we all lived together and developed sounds and songs together. The song was developed around guitar sounds and rhythm. The song is about being in a bad relationship and trying to understand why it went bad. Shoegaze was at its infancy back in the 90’s. There was mild college airplay with a few of the songs off Drop.
Did you cooperate with or get support from local or college radio in the mid 90s?
We played many colleges throughout the US. In Minneapolis, Radio K and Rev 104 were supporters. All the college and underground radio helped us book shows and get attention.
How did the song get picked up for the Third Man Records compilation?
We were contacted by Third Man and asked if we would license “Feel” to them for the Southeast of Saturn Vol. 2 project.
Has the song's inclusion on the comp lead to new fans or projects?
Yes, the distribution and marketing reach that Third Man provides continues to bring the band new fans and recognition.
Colfax Abbey is said to have been a welcome addition to the "striped and Jazzmaster-clad set" of the early 90s - who had the Jazzmaster and who wore the stripes?
This was in reference to the shoegaze scene in Britian at the time. We were all great fans of all the great shoegaze projects of the time.
What were your main influences back around the time the band made Drop?
At the time we were really into British shoegaze: Ride, Chapterhouse, Adorable, Slowdive, Moose, MBV, Pale Saints and a few American bands: Drop Nineteens, Lilys, Mercury Rev, Bardo Pond, Low, Red House Painters, Polara, Shapeshifter.
Is it correct that the band's name comes from combining references to Dracula and the street in Minneapolis that band members lived on?
This is correct. Christina was reading Bram Stoker’s Dracula at the time, and we lived on Colfax Ave. Kind of dark and gothy name as we reflect now.
You played with Brian Jonestown Massacre in 1997 - can you share a story from that show or time period with BJM?
You can read about our escapades with the BJM in the two books that are out now. One is called Keep Music Evil and the other is called In the Jingle Jangle Jungle. This last one was written by Joel from the BJM. We met them when they were touring through Minneapolis in around ‘95 or ‘96. They stayed at our house with the filmmakers from the music doc about them called DIG! You can see the band in a few scenes in the movie. We became great friends and toured a bunch together for a couple years.
What are the band members doing nowadays? Is anyone still making music?
All grown up with families, careers, etc. Mark and Rob still create. Mark is looking at remixing “Feel” for an upcoming vinyl release of Drop.
What was it like to work with Keith Cleversley?
Keith created an environment where you could explore the songs. We stayed locked in to his studio in Chicago for about a week and never really left. The studio was very psychedelic in color and style. Just worked pretty much around the clock. He had many stories about his times with the Verve, Spiritualized, Mercury Rev, Flaming Lips, etc. What happens in that studio stays in that studio ; )
Was it Prospective Records that put out the Colfax Abbey releases? There were three, correct?
Prospective Records was a label in the Twin Tone Records Group portfolio. It was run by John Kass and Chris Strouth. Both of whom are legends in the Music community in Minneapolis and beyond. Prospective released a 7-inch of “Chameleon” b/w “Silver”, the album Drop, and the experimental ep Penetrate.
Is it true there is a hidden track on Drop?
No hidden track. There are sounds in between songs ebbing and flowing.
What are your favorite things to listen to now? What was your last (or upcoming) concert?
The Minneapolis psych/shoegaze/rock scene is fantastic these days. Chatham Rise, Flavor Crystals, Magic Castles, Night Moves, Muun Bato are all great bands. The band actively supports the music we love. Here are some of the recent shows we have attended: Slowdive at the Caverns in TN, Jesus and Mary Chain, Spiritualized, Drop Nineteens, The Church, and The Cure.
Anything else you'd like to mention?
Thanks for taking the time to ask questions and keep the history alive. We appreciate you.
Thanks to Troy for answering these questions about the song, album and band’s history. You can follow the Colfax Abbey on Facebook and X.