Written by: Mark Abell
Aircraft’s new long player may very well be one of the best albums of the year.
The follow-up to 2013’s Sonic Boom, 7 Gems From The Sparkling Void is an invigorating blast of surf rock and ’60s garage stomp, proving that this Buffalo-based outfit are one of the most innovative and exciting acts around.
The call-and-response of the churning “Space Euphoria” sounds like Dick Dale by way of the 13th Floor Elevators; “Dig A Little Deeper” is dark and majestic, while “White Light” jangles mightily away. Filled with pipeline prowl, shimmering grooves and undeniable hooks–the stutter step of “Stick” may very well be the catchiest number you’ll hear this month–Aircraft have never sounded better.
Stereo Embers interviews Aircraft guitarist Justin John Smith.
Stereo Embers: In their press release, Pavement PR referred to, “…years of experimental drug use combined with a deep interest have created a unique take on reality.” What do you believe is your life purpose or what type of legacy/impact do you wish to have on this world?
Justin John Smith: I believe my life purpose is to facilitate the creative force and raise my spiritual vibration.
SE: Which band’s sound has influenced you the most?
JJS: I can’t say for certain what bands have influenced me most, but at the moment I am definitely influenced by all that is David Bowie.
SE: In your Bullett interview with Luke O Neil when speaking about the song “Stick” you said, “When one end of the stick moves this way, the other end moves that way. Everything has a price.” What specifically were you referring to?
JJS: I believe there are more laws that govern us than what we are typically taught. One of these laws can be summed up when thinking about the movement of a stick. When one end of the stick moves one way the other end moves in the opposite direction. This is already known in physics but I believe the same law applies to everything we do…physical, emotional and spiritual. So understanding this law in its totality is important if a person wishes go beyond the ordinary flow of their automatic development. This is why it is important to know that we must always pay for anything we get.
SE: Malcolm Gladwell says it takes 10,000 hours to become an expert in a field. How many hours do you think you have logged individually or collectively?
JJS: Hum? I average an hour a day…365 days a year over the course of 17 years adds up to 6,205 hours I’ve racked up so far. I got a ways to go.
SE: If you had access and ample financial resources, what producers and studios would you wish to work with in an ideal situation?
JJS: I would love to work with Tony Visconti at Tarbox Road Studio and have everything engineered by Dave Fridmann.
You can buy Aircraft’s 7 Gems From The Sparkling Void here:
