Interview with Lou Barlow

Jason Reed interviewing Lou Barlow (of Sebadoh and Dinosaur Jr.) at SoHo in Santa Barbara California. Hear Lou talk about his collaborative approach to music, his current tour with the Thurston Moore band and his musical influences. Produced by Highlight Media.

[@betterinsodapop]

It makes sense that there would be kind of a struggle in Dinosaur Jr. back in the day. You legit had 2 of the best songwriters of that generation in a 3 piece band. Both very motivated and gifted. So, of course each had creative things that they wanted to do and get out there. I'm glad Lou was able to leave and do his amazing Sebadoh stuff, and still return many years later to Dino Jr. Dave Grohl once said that he always wanted to contribute more to songwriting and had a lot to offer, during his time w/Nirvana he recognized that Kurt Cobain was a genius, and he just wanted to stay out of the way and let the genius work. In a way, that's sorta what works best w/Dinosaur Jr. You just kind of have to get out of J's way and let him do his thing.

[@blib3786]

Lou has always maintained that, musically speaking, he was totally on page with J and his vision for Dino Jr, and that their conflicts were personal rather than creative.

[@haydencarter552]

Lou wrote and sang some of my all time favorite dinosaur jr songs. I hate how he second guesses himself so much because of his relationship with J. Bottom line is there would never have been those first three Dinosaur Jr records without his input, spirit and energy. I love Lou and hope he keeps having an amazing musical career with Murph and J

[@ThruTheEarth]

Lou's the best

[@atanamorell2]

Yes. Yes he is. Love Lou's music so much, whatever band he's in. 💕

[@jaguarsharkman]

I think it would be cool to see J and Lou collaborate but I don't think it will ever happen. Did J ever co-write a song with anyone? I think J is set in his ways. How he works. etc. Maybe, J should try writing songs with the idea of Lou doing the vocals. like the first album. Anyways, Lou is definitely more than just a bass player in Dinosaur. Other than some cover songs and a Don Fleming song. I can't think of any other Dino tunes written by anyone other than J and Lou. His unique approach to bass, singing, and songwriting. Dinosaur is J, Lou, and Murph. Anything else and it's just another band.

[@smoofest]

mike johnson noon at dawn

[@marcellfekete773]

jaguarsharkman I honestly think that Lou has far superior voice than J. (Still I love the tone of J's voice and how it is contrasted against those roaring guitars.) And aside from Recognition, I don't really like Lou's contributions to the albums (though I love the fact that he contributes). So that is why it would be so interesting what you are saying with J writing songs for Lou (as he morbidly did on Bug as well).

[@arrivederci4002]

cool interviewer. good questions.

[@ateacherwithnoclass5705]

The teenage dream turned into a lifetime reality. What a life this man made for himself. All much deserved. Give me L. Knox B. afterlife. Hearing Poledo for the first time was like hearing Daniel Johnston for the first time. Instant obsession and unlike anything previously heard. A whole all American original. (A old all American original according to tab pages). III and Nevemind were released at the same time. III will be the one I grab when the tsunami comes to wash all my worldly possessions away. Then (at least for a mid-90's teenager) to find two albums full of songs that complimented Poledo...a fanboy dream. Too bad things didn't work out with Eric Gaffney. Time to look up the most downloaded Sebadoh songs...MAde Real really ought to be one. Perfect Excuse another. Or is that Sentridoh...

[@barlow2346]

Can hear Thurston Moore band in the background at minute 8

[@PoliceBoy465]

Who is J Masseez? And what's with the constant "Dino jr"? Kinda bugs me. Loved Lou's insight.

[@joeblow502]

wtf is dino jr? literally nobody ever has referred to them as that and it sounds ridiculous... also he pronounced j's last name wrong

[@starshineraiser6729]

Eric Gaffney gets no respect. His tunes rock.

[@michaelthompson3401]

Lou and him have their own history, but a few years ago they both played in a little bar in North Hampton, mass. They ended up playing 3 Sebadoh songs together. It was awesome, something I thought I would ever see.

[@HumGuitar]

I'm sorry, but Sonic Youth has always struck me as no talented wanna-be's. Just my opinion. I did buy the "Washing Machine" CD, because I love the songs "Little Trouble Girl" and "The Diamond Sea", but that's about the extent of anything I like.

[@dwaxon]

Have you listened to Daydream Nation, Sister, EVOL, etc.? To me that is their best stuff.

[@rainbowslushy223]

Ive tried to get into sonic youth but i they never did it for me but il check those songs out thanks bro

[@whatevershebrings]

Their very early stuff was good, i.e. 'Confusion...' or 'Bad Moon...', but IMO the group failed to live up to its early and fairly ambitious promise. They were indeed cool (perhaps too cool) and seemed smarmy and elitist. By the time they signed to DGC w/ "Goo", you knew it was already over. What bands like Dinosaur Jr. achieve with their hard-rocking-yet-melodic sound is what SY often tried doing, but was incapable of. The noise and caterwaul of the guitar shredding needs a delivery system to get into your bloodstream, and that's typically skilled songwriting, vocal harmonies, and an air-tight rhythm section. That's Dinosaur Jr.

[@spiralstairs]

Please stop saying "Dino Jr."