PopMatters occasionally sends out a list of interview opportunities to its writers and when I saw Mates of State on one recently I thought, sure why not? They live just up the road along the CT coast and record at Tarquin Studios in Bridgeport. I also remember enjoying a live session/interview on kcrw's Morning Becomes Eclectic a few years ago in support of their last CD Re-Arrange Us.
While a meet up was not possible (they were busy getting ready to go on tour) a 'phoner' was coordinated at 5:35 pm on a Friday. They have a new CDs of covers out called Crushes (The Mixtape) which was sent to me through an emailed link with a download code -- making me miss liner notes on an physical CD even more! After being patched through the pr office to Jason Hammel of the band, I quickly adjusted my questions to the male half of the group and here's what transpired. Tour dates and video with the interview on PopMatters.com as well. Check it out here.