Gordon Withers: Cello For Cal

Interview with Gordon Withers

by: Brett Mathews

Gordon Withers is a cello player who has recently released a CD of JAWBOX covers on cello to raise money for Callum. Info about his record can be found here (http://catlickrecords.com/callum/)

How do you know J. Robbins?

Actually, I had never met him until recently. Growing up in Pennsylvania in the 90’s, my friends and I loved the DC music scene and listened to JAWBOX and other DC bands endlessly. We’d form our own indie or hardcore bands and try to imitate them.  I eventually went to college in Boston, but JAWBOX and the music of that scene always held a special place in my heart. Recently I moved to the DC area, and have been honored to finally meet J. and play cello on a few of his recording sessions, most recently with KNOT FEEDER (ex-Don Caballero).

How did a cello version of JAWBOX songs for Cal come to mind?

In 2000, I wanted to record an album of cello arrangements in the style of APOCALYPTICA (the Finnish heavy metal cello quartet who started off playing METALLICA covers). This was for a special project as part of an Artist Diploma in Cello Performance. My cello teacher was really cool and liked the idea. I ended up choosing JAWBOX songs, because they rocked but they also had great melodies that translated well to cello.

The original album was recorded on my four-track in my bedroom. However, in early 2007 after hearing about Cal’s diagnosis, I got the idea to revisit those old JAWBOX cello versions as a benefit for Cal.

How did you go about putting it together?

Once I knew I wanted to make this happen, I found a great producer (Alex Nelson of FRENJEN) who really believed in the idea too, and donated a lot of his time to recording the new versions. We tracked the 12 songs on the CD over weekends in early 2007. A few of them were ones I had not done before ("Savory", “Motorist”, and a couple others). Throughout the process I’ve had incredible help from people with all aspects of the recording. Kim from JAWBOX introduced me to the Independent Online Distribution Alliance, which helped get the album on iTunes and other sites. Zach from JAWBOX hooked me up with Rare Form Mastering, who did a great job making the record sound really polished. I was fortunate to have an awesome publicist, and lately I’ve been working with Planetary Group trying to get the album airplay on college radio.

How has the response been so far?

All the feedback I’ve gotten so far has been incredibly positive. A few people are confused at first (JAWBOX? on cello?), but once they listen to it they get it. I haven’t gotten sales figures yet from online sales, but I’m hoping that they will be good. I’ve sold a lot of CD’s through Paypal, and Dischord (who has graciously agreed to distribute the album) has run out of their copies at least once so far. Adam from JAWBREAKER bought three copies, which was really cool.

The most rewarding part of this project has been the live Cal Robbins benefit shows. Before I left Florida last year, I played a few solo benefit shows—but since moving back North, I’ve organized two benefit shows with a live cello quartet. One was in Brooklyn, opening for a friend’s band, and the latest was in DC. Both times, the reception was incredible. There is absolutely nothing like playing in a live cello ensemble—and to be playing JAWBOX songs on top of that is just an amazing experience. I can’t wait to do more of these!

How does somebody go about picking up a CD from you?

You can get the CD direct through Paypal or at Dischord’s site. You can also download the album from all major online retailers. The paypal link and links to online stores are all at gordonwithers.com or my MySpace page. I would hope that people wouldn’t file-share this, since it’s a freakin’ benefit album, but I know it’s going on—all I ask is that you donate to Cal’s fund if you can!

Any last words?

I am honored to be able to give a little something back to a musical family that has given so much. The tragedy of SMA could happen to any family—Cal Robbins could be anyone’s son—but through the enormous outpouring of support this past year, in a way he is now everyone’s son. Us musicians need to stick together and support each other—not just because none of us have decent health insurance, but because it’s the right thing to do.

For more information about Callum, please visit:
www.callumrobbins.blogspot.com
www.desotorecords.com/cal
For more information about SMA, please visit:
Spinal Muscular Atrophy Foundation: www.smafoundation.
Families of Spinal Muscular Atrophy: www.fsma.org

Comments