Interview: Pattern Is Movement

If you’re not a musician then thinking about music really comes down to two things: “I like this,” or “I hate this.” Musical ignorance is bliss until you listen to a band like Pattern Is Movement. You might feel a little disoriented by what you’re hearing at first; which isn’t to say that Andrew Thiboldeaux’s voice isn’t soulful (it is), or that Chris Ward’s drumming leaves something to be desired (it doesn’t). No, it’s because this two-piece from Philly actually challenges you to pay close attention to their intricate, multi-layered pop songs, just in case you missed something the first 15 times around. We sat down with the ex-Evangelical Christians before their much anticipated gig at The Drake Hotel to talk about their first show together, how their music replaced their God, and that time ?uestlove blew their minds.
When I listen to Pattern is Movement, I picture the both of you wearing lab coats, like musical scientists. Do you consider your audience when you’re in the studio, or is musical experimentation more important?
CHRIS: I would say All Together was a little “lab coaty” because we’d never performed as a two-piece [PIM started as a five-piece], so we had no clue what those songs would sound like live. We just made those songs because we liked them and then they transformed live.
ANDREW: I think it’s a combination of both. We do things that we really like and then we also consider how to get lunch. Plus, I don’t think lab coats would look flattering on us. I feel like they would just bulge.
What’s the best way to appreciate PIM: at home with headphones on, or is it best to get the live experience?
ANDREW: When we made the last record, we definitely thought of it as something that you could appreciate at home, but lately we’ve been trying to fuse the two. We want to capture the energy of the live show on record.
Tell me about the first live show you played as a duo.
ANDREW: We’d been booked to play a college, and we were about a half-hour away from the venue when the promoter called and told us that the headliner had cancelled. Then he asked us whether we wanted to headline the show. We said no because we only had about 27 minutes of music to play. He then offered to double our money so we agreed. We learned a bunch of cover songs in the car. Our set was super shaky, but as soon as I started playing the opening riff of “Everything In Its Right Place,” the crowd’s response was awesome.
Is that how the cover song thing started?
ANDREW: Yeah, we’ve been covering something in every set since the very first show. It was just out of necessity at first, but now even as the band’s evolved, we’ve always made room for some covers.
Next thing you know, you’re playing a D’Angelo cover with ?uestlove…
CHRIS: Yeah… He was kind of stepping all over my beats, getting on my shit… No I’m kidding, it was the highlight of my life. If the band ends tomorrow I would be OK with it.
Did you ever imagine PIM in such an enviable position back in 2001?
ANDREW: No way. We’re surprised that there’s still a Pattern.
How much does your evangelical Christian background influence your music?
CHRIS: Music was a way to connect with god, and now music is a way to connect with individuals, so in sense we try to give all of ourselves in a show, and I think it comes from growing up around people who were giving themselves to God. I think for us, once God was taken out of the picture, art took its place. The whole mystical, spiritual side of life seems to manifest itself for us through art, instead of God. So I think the drama that we would watch in Church is still in us, and I feel like we’re exorcising that part of us when we play, but we’re using it for good because it’s fun! When we’re playing a really good show there’s definitely something going on.
What does the future look like for PIM. Will you be going in a new sonic direction?
CHRIS: I think we want more of an emotional sound on this next record. I feel like All Together was sort of devoid of emotion, which really worked, but I think for the next record we want something that sounds a little more live and in your face. Definitely more emotional which connects into our gospel background.
- Alex Hughes

