Still “earthbound” after twenty years: Live and local with The Old Ceremony!

The Old Ceremony’s Django Haskins joined Aaron Keck on Live & Local this month following the release of the band’s new album Earthbound – their first in nine years.

Visit TheOldCeremony.com.

The Old Ceremony, one of the Triangle’s most famous and influential bands this century, first came together in 2004; They are celebrating their 20th anniversary this year. (“It crept up on us,” says Haskins, “but it’s really remarkable that we’ve been together this long.”) After releasing five acclaimed albums in a productive eight-year period from 2004 to 2012, The Old Ceremony slows down When its members started having children of their own, they slowed down a bit – but the band never gave up and continued to wow audiences on stage both locally and on tour.

And now they’re back with “Earthbound” to prove that they haven’t missed a beat in the studio either.

“(It) feels like a kind of reawakening, waking from half-sleep,” Haskins says of the album. “I think there was a real urge for us to finish the album because this is our 20th anniversary… and when we checked how long it had been (since their last album, 2015’s ‘Sprinter’) , we could see it. I don’t believe it. So we were like, ‘Man, we really need to make a record.'”

This record – whose 11 tracks are inspired by sources ranging from cereal boxes to assassins – marks a seamless return to form for The Old Ceremony, who describe their music (quite aptly) as “coming from a darkly lit corner… full of menacing rumbles.” and world-weary but hopeful characters.” Haskins says the title “Earthbound” brings together several recurring themes – from the idea of characters being “rooted” in a particular place or person to the idea of human mortality, which has always permeated his texts.

Listen to (and buy) the album on Bandcamp.

“Each track sounds pretty different,” Haskins says of the album. “You know, we’re not one of those bands that can make a record that only has one mood. That’s just the way it is, love it or leave it… but the unifying principle was that when we recorded it, we would be playing live in the room together.”

They achieved this at Overdub Studios in Durham with the help of long-time sound engineer Tom Canova.

“I think (it sounds) a lot more like a live performance,” Haskins says of the finished product. “I think that the energy that we created in the room served as a compensation for (any) imperfections… (and) you know, the records that we love, most of them have flaws. And that’s part of the joy of it.”

With the album now out, The Old Ceremony is preparing to celebrate in style with a show at Cats Cradle on November 16th – celebrating the album’s release and the band’s 20th anniversary, with guest appearances from former band members and more. a set that highlights the newer songs while revisiting older favorites.

Click here to purchase tickets and find out more information about the show.

“We rehearsed with some of (the older band members),” says Haskins, “and it was just really fun and interesting, how music can trigger sensory memories.” You know, we start playing and – if there’s a cello plays, I’m suddenly in Rochester, Minnesota, at a certain show.”

Photo by Mike Benson, via TheOldCeremony.com.

Django Haskins stopped by Live & Local to chat with Aaron Keck about “Earthbound” and the band’s upcoming show at Cats Cradle. They also performed three tracks from the album: “Lonely Mayor,” “North American Grain,” and “Valerie Solanas.” Hear:

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