The self-titled debut from Matthew Stubbs and the Antiguas (out January 26, 2018) is a diverse and propulsive affair, combining psych rock with acid blues and Afrobeat. The album feels cinematic, like a retro soundtrack to an underground film but with modern production influences a la Beck and Tom Waits.
The Boston musician, a guitarist since the age of 13, has served as the guitarist for Charlie Musselwhite since 2007 — that’s him on the legendary bluesman’s 2013 Grammy-nominated album Juke Joint Chapel.
For the Antiguas record, Stubbs tapped into previously unexplored influences. You’ll hear a seemingly perfect 60s movie homage (“Fistful”), organ-fueled dub (“Dub Stubbs”) and psych-fueled epics (“Bastille Day”). Then there’s the lively finale “Tarantino”, which Stubbs sees as an album outlier. “The title came afterwards, but it does seem like a song you’d hear at the end of a Tarantino film, where people getting murdered but there’s upbeat music.”
Influenced by classic instrumentalists like Booker T, Link Wray, Dick Dale and Duane Eddy to modern instrumental outfist like The Budos Band, James Taylor Quartet and El Michels Affair, Stubbs would like to bring that spirit back to popular music.
So think of the Antiguas as a timeless musical statement that nods to the past but lives in the here and now. “It’s meshing vintage sounds with modern tweaks,” says Stubbs. “It’s lo-fi inspiration with hi-fi sonics and production.”
Glide is proud to premiere “Fistful” off the LP, a riveting number that thrills with cinematic dramatics. Stubbs has proven to be an avid ambassador for electic instrumental music, honing on the tresaured sounds of the past with a stylish finger on the present.\
‘Fistful” was one of the first songs I wrote for this album,” says Stubbs. “If I had to pick one song that represented what the Antiguas sound is like live, it would be “Fistful”. When I was writing it I pictured scenes from vintage car chase movies and desert races, that sort of thing. There’s an energy there that I wanted to create a sound for. And I’m always trying to capture different moods from song to song. I was also listening to a bunch of 60’s psych rock & Afrobeat at the time, so some of those colors made their way into the track as well.”
Glide had the chance to speak with Stubbs upon the upcoming release of his debut LP…
Your self-titled debut is one of most fascinating instrumental albums I’ve heard in some time- but also dives into some new territory for you musically. How did you decide to go in such a musically challenging and adventurous direction?
Well first off, thanks! I had released two instrumental records years back. They were both based in the Memphis Soul/Blues style. After releasing the second album, I was touring a lot with Charlie Musselwhite and I took a break from writing. When I started back up, I was listening to and inspired by lots of different styles of music; everything from Marc Ribot’s project Los Cubans Postizos, Ry Cooder’s Mambo Sinuendo, The Budos Band, Beck, all the way to a bunch Psych rock stuff like The Black Angels, King Gizzard, and Temples. All those sounds combined with my own musical background seemed to create the sound of this new album. It was very exploratory for me and has been a really exciting experience.
What is most compelling about the album are the touches of Afrobeat- do you feel that sound is unrepresented some in today musical culture- hip hop included?
To be honest I’m not sure if it is unrepresented. I know there are some great modern day bands that are playing killer music in that style, if not necessarily hip hop. I have been listening to Here Lies Man, Antibalas & The Budos Band non stop these days. I love everything these bands have been releasing.
After playing with Charlie Musselwhite- what did you learn from being grounded in blues to be able to excel in other genres? Musically what genres or soundscapes excites you the most when taking on new sound chapters?
I’ve been playing with Charlie Musselwhite for 10 years now, and I have to say I love every minute of our shows together. I feel very lucky to be able to play music with such a legendary musician. It still blows my mind when he tells me stories about being in Chicago in the 60’s, and hanging out and jamming with musicians like Little Walter, Muddy Waters, Robert Nighthawk. Those guys are all like mythical beings to me. I’ve spent so many hours listening to those old records and watching footage of them. Being with Charlie has taught me so much as a sideman and a musician, as well as how to be a life long touring musician. Blues has always been my favorite style of music and I will always consider myself a blues guitarist at heart. These days I do listen to a wide variety of music, from psych rock, Afrobeat, to pop and even lots of electronic music. One thing I love about modern music is all of the sonic options. I LOVE low end. I find myself searching and listening to music I would have never listened to, just to find different sounds and sonic textures. I’ve been listening to a ton of hip hop and I have a new obsession with drums machines. I like the idea of mixing drum machine sounds with organic drums.
The band is titled Matthew Stubbs and the Antiguas- exactly who makes up the Anitiguas on each instrument?
Matthew Stubbs-Guitar
Justin Lopes-Farfisa Organ and Synth
Marc Hickox-Bass
Chris Rivelli-Drums
The last track is a bit of a surf rock homage titled “Tarantino.” Overall how much influence did the film maker’s soundtracks have on your musical vision?
I am a HUGE Quentin Tarantino fan. I must have watched “The Hateful Eight” half a dozen times during the process of making this album. My song “Tarantino” was the one track that I wasn’t sure really fit on this album. All the other tracks have a darker feel to them, and “Tarantino” was very happy sounding. I also didn’t have a name for the track till right before I had to send the mixes to be mastered. I ended up thinking about Quentin’s movies and how he would often use a very happy, upbeat piece of music during a very dark and/or violent scene. So, I decided to end the album with that track and call it “Tarantino” as a tribute to all these amazing movies.
Name five bands today that you feel are doing it right musically
1. El Michels Affair
2. Jim James
3. Temples
4. The Arcs
5. Delicate Steve
