Braids Blow Off Tour Stress by 'Burning Down the House' -- NXNE

Since releasing their debut record, 'Native Speaker,' at the beginning of the year, Montreal-based quartet Braids have been on a whirlwind of press and tours. As with any band on the road nonstop, though, they've encountered a few bumps. But as much as lead singer Raphaelle Standell-Preston was unenthused with her lung infection and living in such close quarters with her bandmates day after day, she admits that nothing lifts the spirits quite like 'Burning Down the House.'

How long have you been on tour now and how are you holding up?

I think it's been four months, with a two week break in Montreal. I think we all just want to go home. We've played these songs too many times. We're getting a little short with each other. We need a break. And a break we have.

It feels like you've been on tour forever!

It feels, to me, like we've been on the road for a really long time, or rather away from home. I guess that's how it's beginning to feel. The away-ness is beginning to sink in. Once the longing of loved ones came to a settle, we began really getting into touring though: Being in a new place every day, engaging in fleeting exciting friendships, watching crime shows on the television before we'd head to sleep. I'd say in the middle of the tour we were having a ball. Snow storms became exhilarating and gas stations became a store of wonder where you could search out unique trinkets.

What about after that?

Tour for me then became about getting over sickness. I had bronchitis and a lung infection for the last two months of tour. I'd lose my voice constantly, I had crazy fevers. Everyone else was also sick, on and off. It was really difficult to perform night after night. I just wanted to sleep for a few days. We ended up cancelling a show in Edmonton. I bought a humidifier and steamed every night before shows and when I went to sleep. It was very intense. I felt a bit like an athlete! I think at that point I realized how much we were all requiring of our bodies. Being on tour is no walk in the park. I can't imagine how bands that party and drink every night keep going. I guess that's why they burn out. My dad always told me that Mick Jagger runs every morning. That's the reason why he can do what Mick Jagger does is because he takes care of himself like an athlete. I always scoffed at my father when he told me this but now I understand.

Watch Braid's Video for 'Plath Heart'
Let's talk more about the tour highlights.

For my 21st birthday we were in Louisville, Kentucky, and I thought it was going to be a bunk evening, but it turned out to be one of the most pleasurable birthdays I've ever had. We went out to a little whole-in-the-wall bar with some locals and sang karaoke together. It was [drummer] Austin [Tuffs], [bassist] Taylor [Smith] and my first time doing karaoke. I never thought I would see Taylor holding a microphone singing 'Burning Down the House.' We went 'home' and talked about getting naked and decided to watch 'Simpsons' instead.

How has all this touring affected your relationships with each other?

People slip into roles and some prefer doing different tasks than others and you have to let them do it. One thing we learned on the road is to give people their space, because really you can't find much when you're stuck in a van with three other people.

Braids play the Garrison on Friday, June 17 @ 11PM & the Great Hall on Saturday, June 18 @ 11PM
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