Interview: Willy Vlautin of Richmond Fontaine

Conducted by Capt. Obvious


Obvious: Besides being the lead singer of alt. country band Richmond Fontaine, you're also a fledgling author. I really enjoyed The Motel Life and I'm in the middle of your newest novel Northline. When did you decide to pursue the author thing?

Vlautin: I started writing fiction in earnest when I was 21 or so. I've always felt more comfortable doing it than being in a band. But it's a lot of fun being in a band so I just kept my novels to myself and then finally got enough courage to show them around. I've always liked the work ethic in writing. It's just sitting in a room and trying to figure out a story. The work ethic of a band is touring and repeating what you've already written.

Obvious: You've received favorable comparisons to Raymond Carver and John Steinbeck. I mean, holy shit, that's not bad company. How do feel about those comparisons?

Vlautin: I have to say it's nice to hear, but really I'm just a janitor compared to those guys. I know that, but I keep trying. I can't tell you enough how much both Steinbeck and Carver have meant to me. Those writers have really helped me out along the way.

Obvious: Northline comes with a soundtrack full of great instrumental tracks that really seem to fit the story. Who was involved with the soundtrack and do you plan on doing the same thing for future novels?

Vlautin: I wrote the songs for the soundtrack when I was editing the novel. Then I talked with Paul Brainard who plays in RF and asked him if he'd help me record them and we spent a summer working on it. The other guys in RF also helped out. It was a lot of fun and most of all I didn't have to write lyrics or sing or hear my voice so I wasn't as insecure as I usually am. And in general I do think the music feels like the novel. So I'm pretty happy with it.

I never usually think of music when I'm writing but this novel really took it out of me. It was a hard one for me mentally. So the songs just sort of helped me through it. What I was hoping was that when the reader was done maybe they'd listen to the CD and think about the story. Maybe it would keep the story alive a bit longer. In the future I don't know. I love instrumental music and hope to do another one someday.

Obvious: I think one of the strongest characteristics of your music is the storytelling aspect. Was the transition to writing novels an easy one and how does your state of mind differ when writing a book as opposed to writing a song?

Vlautin: The stories of the songs and the novels are married. They both come from the same side of me. The real difference between the two is that when I'm writing novels I can hide out, I disappear into them. With songs its more of a group effort and it's more about touring and being social. Writing is more my personality but without the band I'd probably never leave my place. I'd probably have a hard time just going to the store.

Obvious: I'm a big film buff and I heard that the rights to The Motel Life were sold to Guillermo Arriaga, who wrote 21 Grams and The Three Burials Of Melquiadas Estrada, and that you'd be adapting the screenplay. What's the status of that project?

Vlautin: I'm not really sure. I know Guillermo has a movie coming out soon. It's called The Burning Plan. It's the first one he's directing. It's an amazing story so he's got his hands full with that. After he's done I think we'll start working on The Motel Life. He's a brilliant guy and one of the nicer people I've met so I hope something comes out of it. But the movie world is a bit out of my league so we'll see.

Obvious: What's the status of Richmond Fontaine? Are you guys working on any new material?

Vlautin: One of the guys in the band just had a kid so we've been taking it easy but we're just starting to work on the new record. I think it'll come out in the new year and we'll tour it pretty hard.

Obvious: So which occupation do you find more rewarding: musician or novelist? If you had to choose one of the two which would it be?

Vlautin: You know I like them both and I need them both. Without the band I'd be a serious recluse. All the great things in my life I've gotten from the band and when it comes down to it I really like writing songs. But the novel is my favorite thing. It always has been. Novels are the coolest thing ever invented besides beer and horse racing.

Richmond Fontaine: http://blog.richmondfontaine.com/
Willy Vlautin: http://www.willyvlautin.com

Listen:
MP3: Richmond Fontaine - The Water Wars
MP3: Richmond Fontaine - Northline

Tags: Willy Vlautin, Interview, Richmond Fontaine