"Hey hoser".

Don't tell anyone we chatted with Ben Bridwell. Scout's freakin' Honor.

+ us: So, shall it be "Band of Horses" or simply "Horses"?

him: Band Of Horses. Or Hoses, as I prefer.

+ The demos we've all had the pleasure of hearing - how many different songs are there out & about now total? Are all contenders for the final debut record?

Its hard to say. There are new ones we're trying to finish and some older ones that might not make the cut. I'd like to say that we have 12 or 13 songs that are strong enough for the record, but time will tell.. .

+ As far as these demos, which are damn amazing in themeselves, do the tone & distant feel of the vocals reflect how they will be tracked on the finals?

Well, Phil Ek - who'll be producing the record - probably isn't gonna let me use the mountains of reverb I used on the demos, but you can bet I'll try my darndest.

+ I got a 7-song demo in Carrboro, NC - there was no tracklisting enclosed.. . do you happen to know the song breakdown of that version of the tour cd?

I don't actually. There's been a couple different versions of these demo cds.. . I have no idea.

+ Any good idea as to when the complete album may be released? (we had to ask.. .)

I'd guess that March (2006) should be our release time.

+ SubPop! I mean, how great is that?

They are great folks and its a pleasure to work with such an accomplished label. Couldn't be happier with that situation.

+ Touring with Sam & his league (Iron and Wine) must have been a wonderful experience (and Phosphorescent - one date, respectfully) how do you feel the response was to the "hush, hush" crowd (in that your horse rocks a tad more.. .)

Wonderful audiences. Very polite and nice to talk with after the shows. I felt like the pairing of us with Iron and Wine worked out great actually.

+ Is it far too early to expect the Iron and Wine / (Band of) Ho{r}ses 'long-lost tape traders' 7" split?

Yes.

+ It's noted that you and Mat were both in the adored and much missed Seattle crew Carissa's Weird - can you tell us more about these other handsome chaps?

Indeed Mat and I were in that band. The rest of CW is in Seattle. Jenn has her project S, Sarah Standard is in PLanB, Sarah Cahoone is doing solo work, Thomas Wright is in The Can't See.. .

+ And about the other fine gents in Hoses.. .

Tim Mienig plays the drums, he is from Issaquah,
Washington as is bass player Chris Early. They've known each other as long as they've been alive basically. Tim likes to buy and sell instruments and loves Kelly Clarkson.

Chris likes eating salad, smoking American Spirit cigarettes and watching Back to the Future. Those two have hearty trivial arguments that only old friends can have. Its fun to watch most of the time.

Mat Brooke is from Webster City, Iowa and raised in Tucson, AZ where we later met. Mat formed Carissa's Wierd and was the principle songwriter. Mat likes the Seattle Mariners, and loves the new Su Do Ku puzzle of numbers which I find to be dogshit.

+ What keeps the Horses happy?

So much.. . our blue van "Calgon", beach vacations, hotel with bar, bar without hotel, goodtime Reggae, Baseball Tonight (tv show), satellite radio, Southeastern America.