I recently caught up with friend and brainchild of Louisville band, Wax Fang, Scott Carney. We discussed his upcoming show with My Morning Jacket at the KFC YUM! Center on Friday, Oct. 29th.
"It's always a super, life-defining moment when we get to play with those guys (My Morning Jacket), Carney said. "I'm always excited when they ask."
Carney's relationship with My Morning Jacket goes back several years. Despite being high-school peers with Jacket frontman, Jim (or Yim, whichever you prefer) James, the two also reconnected years later - giving Carney his first big break.
Carney was able to pitch James a demo he'd been working on, which later became tracks on Black and Endless Night and La La Land (Wax Fang's only two albums to date).
Month's later, James mentioned Carney's songs in The New York Times and The Fader Magazine. If that wasn't enough, in 2006 MMJ invited Wax Fang to open for them on a six-month tour in support of their breakout album, Z.
According to Carney, James has helped Wax Fang more than anyone aside from girlfriends and family.
Wax Fang's last show with MMJ was New Year's Eve 2006 at the legendary Fillmore Auditorium.
"They (MMJ) are some of the sweetest, most humble and talented rock dudes, Carney said. "They are fun, huge and never a let-down."
Wax Fang is being alloted a 40 minute set in which they will play their newly released, psychedelic space-jam, appropriately titled, "The Astronaut Part 1." Did I mention the track is nearly 17 minutes long? "The Astronaut Part 1" was released Oct. 19 on Removador Recordings and Solutions (Jim James' record label) and it's only available in digital format. Check it out here.
As for playing the new KFC YUM! Center, Carney, and avid UofL Basketball fan, Carney explained that the show is "a personal high point."
"I'm excited to play the area before the Cards do."
This is Wax Fang's first Louisville show since playing the Forecastle Festival in July, where they debuted "Astronaut Part 1."
Wax Fang has been working on a new album for a while now and according to Carney it will be released sometime in 2011 on Absolutely Kosher Records, an alternative label based in San Francisco.
Photos: Jenna Cunningham, Hunter Embry
