Eleanor Friedberger has always stolen the show, according to us. But when the sister half of LR favorite band The Fiery Furnaces debuted her irresistable first solo album, Last Summer, earlier this year, it sealed the deal. We knew that we had to meet. For the third installation in our holiday DIY series, we catch up with Eleanor, half-way between Austin and Lisbon, in the place she now calls home - Brooklyn. She tells us a bit about how she gets into the holiday spirit along with tips for crafting her ultimate gift - the mix tape. "If anyone takes the time to make me a mix tape and there's even one song I like or connect with, it's a great gift. It's still how I discover new music, and it's the best way."
Enjoy Eleanor's wintery soundtrack below, her favorite songs to cozy up to the fireplace with, compiled just for us. And if you are as big of a fan as we are, you will want to enter for the chance to win a collection of winter records selected by Eleanor, along with a signed copy of her Last Summer LP and a $50 Loeffler Randall Gift Card. Visit our facebook page to enter.
Photos by Anna Moller
Job: Musician
Lives in: Brooklyn, NY
Star sign: Virgo
Wearing: Nadia espadrille bootie
Describe your style / What do you like to wear when performing, traveling and relaxing?
Eleanor Friedberger: It tends to get very jumbled, but I definitely go through phases of wearing the same thing over and over again — that usually centers around one or two favorite pieces. I recently bought a black jacket with embroidered stars and moons that I've been wearing both on and off stage. I'm typing this from an airport lounge and right now I'm wearing something I'd never wear on stage — actually that's not true — I've worn this sweater on stage once. I bought it at the Brooklyn Flea. I'm also wearing Keds, which I've been wearing on stage lately instead of my usual cowboy boots. I bought them to go with a white tuxedo I wore in a video for the song "Heaven." They go with everything. And I'm wearing leggings I just bought on sale at Creatures of Comfort, the day after Thanksgiving. I went around to a few of my favorite stores for the sales; something I haven't done in years. And under the sweater I've got on a Ben Sherman striped shirt I stole from my ex-boyfriend. This is the first time I've flown in leggings. Why have I been depriving myself this comfort for so many years?!
What do you like best about the Nadia espadrille bootie?
EF: They make me very tall! And I love the contrast of textures; the unconventional espadrille heel with the leather.
What are your favorite cities to perform in and why?
EF: We just played in London and Lisbon last week; definitely two of my favorite places to play. London feels very familiar and Lisbon feels very exotic. Both venues were special; an old, working men's club in London and an ornate, mirrored room with frescoed ceilings in Lisbon. The space certainly helps the mood.
Who do you collaborate with?
EF: I've been collaborating with my brother in the Fiery Furnaces for about 10 years, but I wrote my new album on my own. But writing is just the first step and there are new collaborations at every step along the way. I recorded with a producer, Eric Broucek and now I'm playing with a new band, rearranging the songs to play live, and luckily, that changes from show to show. Collaborating is the fun part of playing music; it's never a lonely job!
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Does your creative process differ from one song to another?
EF: Absolutely, but I almost always start with words and work out the music afterwards. I wrote most of this album on a keyboard, which was new for me, and lately I've been writing songs on a guitar just so they'll be easier to play live with the band. It's important to keep changing your method and to keep playing new games with yourself.
Your album is full of New York stories — where is left for you to explore in this city?
EF: Everywhere! Whenever I come home from being on tour, even if it's just for a week, I feel like my neighborhood has changed. I still haven't taken the new East River ferry and that stops just a few blocks from my house. I get a strange amount of pleasure out of running the most mundane errands on my bike. I went to a Middle Eastern grocery store on Atlantic Avenue for the first time recently and got caught in the rain; even that felt like an exotic trip. This week I'm hoping to play tennis at the indoor courts in Flushing, maybe try a new restaurant after. It's good to feel like a tourist at home.
Favorite NYC spots during the holidays?
EF: I'm still a sucker for walking around Central Park, watching dogs and bundled-up kids. But even Greenpoint is doing its part; there are giant snowflakes hanging from intersections. It's hard not to get swept up in the holiday spirit when there are Christmas trees for sale on nearly every corner.
Do you collect anything?
EF: I try hard not to collect anything because touring provides such a great temptation to shop. I found an old matchbook collection of my grandmother's; it's quite large considering they're all from early 80s South Florida restaurants. I'm not doing a great job of keeping that one going, but I do have a decent collection of 70s interior design books and a stupid amount of second-hand clothes.
What are your favorite sounds?
EF: I like New York street noises that I can recognize without looking out the window: the sound of the Fed Ex truck's engine idling, the wrought iron gate squeaking open with the mailman, the thud of the unwanted coupons thrown on the stoop, the knife-sharpener ringing his bell down my street; I've never taken my knives out to be sharpened but I like to know that he's there.
What are the elements of a great mix tape?
EF: I like to have some kind of theme with my mixes. I think this one should be called "Sitting by the fire with a bottle of wine, either alone or with a loved one, ignoring the impending responsibilities that come along with the holidays." But totally random is fine too. If anyone takes the time to make me a mix tape and there's even one song I like or connect with, it's a great gift. It's still how I discover new music, and it's the best way.
How do you get into the holiday spirit?
EF: Alcohol, cooking and a few decorations usually do the trick. Even something as simple as throwing down a red tablecloth or putting out a few extra candles helps. But since I'm going home to Chicago this year, I won't be buying a tree; hopefully my mom will wait for me to help decorate hers. We'll eat and drink far too much, and most likely, feel very jolly.
What kinds of gifts do you like to give?
EF: I try to be pragmatic with family and frivolous with friends.
What kinds of gifts do you like to receive?
EF: Surprises are the best kind, or anything sentimental or homemade. I think that as I get older, I'm easier to please. Everyone seems to be so busy all the time, I'm shocked when someone thinks of me. Gifts from abroad are always nice; my friend always brings me salt from wherever she goes. And my mom knits me a sweater every year; it's pretty hard to beat that.
More Eleanor Friedberger:
www.eleanorfriedberger.com
www.twitter.com/EleanorOnly