Interview: Jim Ward (At the Drive-In/Sparta/Sleepercar)

Photo by Omar Mena 2008

We’ve had some great interviews over the last few months here at Stereokill, and today I’m pleased to be able to continue that pattern. Just back from a tour of Australia with new alt-country band Sleepercar, Stereokill caught up with At The Drive-In and Sparta founder-member Jim Ward.

Stereokill: Many people will know you best as founding member of At The Drive In – how does it feel to have been part of a band so influential in shaping the modern post-hardcore scene?

JW: I think that other people think about that sort of stuff more than the people in the band, you know? It doesnt seem like that big a deal to me, I guess.

Stereokill: What have been your key influences over the course of your career?

JW: I am pretty open to a lot of things; music and films, television, whatever gets my mind going. Every year it seems like something different. I don’t know that I have key things specifically that influence me, other than whatever music and images turn me on at that moment.

Stereokill: What was the first album you remember buying?

JW: I seem to recall it being a Subhumans LP – From The Cradle To The Grave, I think. I could be wrong, it’s fuzzy now.

Stereokill: What really drives you to do what you do every day? What are you truly passionate about?

JW: Whatever is the force that makes anyone do anything, I guess… I am not really motivated by money or success. I like to perform, that’s a key in my life. I like to play outside my house, and I like it when people are happy and I am part of the cause of that. I’m passionate about creating, I guess.

Stereokill: At The Drive-In had a distinctly political streak. What’s your take on the world as it stands?

JW: I think the political streak was over-emphasized with us we all had views, but it wasn’t as radical as people thought. We were probably along the lines of the other bands around us at the time: I mean, it would be radical to be a hardcore conservative and be in a young loud band, but I think we were pretty middle of the road.

Stereokill: What do you make of the state of modern music?

JW: I am probably heading backwards more than forwards with music. I don’t know a lot of young bands, I have a lot to learn about things that were happening before I was aware of them. Saying that, I do love No Age and Times New Viking a lot.

Stereokill: Do you foresee a return to Sparta in the future?

JW: I don’t right now, no. Who knows what the future will bring?

Stereokill: Sleepercar started out with just you, but you’re now touring with a full band… what’s the dynamic like? Is it still “your” band, or has it evolved in that sense?

JW: I think it will always be “my” band. People can come and go as they please: I don’t want the stress of trying to maintain five or six happinesses, I love playing with the guys and when they want to move on, I will support them in whatever ways I can.

Stereokill: West Texas dropped back in April, and you’ve spent most of the year on tour. What does the future hold for the band?

JW: I am writing new songs, and I have a real sense of theme for it at this point. I’m excited to explore that. I have never really written a full album knowing what I wanted the cover to look like, and this time I do. I have been messing around with artists and designers and think it will be great when it is done. There’s no timeline with anything: I just did a soundtrack, and I’m working on songs for the next solo EP series, hanging out with some other musicians, hopefully learning some new things. Sleepercar will play throughout the process, though.

Stereokill: Over the years, what prompted your shift in style from the chaos of At The Drive In to the more lo-fi sound you’re pursuing with Sleepercar?

JW: Nothing prompted it as much as it is just another aspect to me. I wouldn’t be surprised if next year I made a very chaotic record as well. I don’t rule things out if I can help it.

Stereokill: We’re all about the new music, so I generally wrap up by asking the obvious question: what’s currently on your stereo?

JW: Times New Viking and Gram Parsons.

I’d like to thank Jim for agreeing to talk to us, and to wish him the best of luck with Sleepercar and his solo career. Watch out for them – they’re sounding awesome.