Hand Clap Movement

It’s extremely gratifying to know that people like Todd Goldstein exist in the music industry. The former guitarist of NY institution, Harlem Shakes, has created an even better product in ARMS and has just released a wonderful new record, Summer Skills. We were thrilled to be able to talk to Todd about British rappers, the new record, and of course, hand claps.

Why the band name ARMS? We imagine it was easier to search for in 2004 before the internet imploded…

Back in 2004, when I first started writing the songs that would make up the first ARMS EP — songs that were markedly different from what I’d been doing before — I realized I needed a new name for this project. I made a huge list of possible names and wasn’t particularly satisfied with any of them. Eventually, though, I heard of a British rapper who was calling himself “Ears”, and something struck a chord with me — the idea of a plural body-art as a name for your solo music project just resonated. So I worked my way through all the possible body parts, and ARMS was the one that made the most sense to me (there’s a pretty obvious double-entendre in there, as well, which seemed just ham-fisted enough to be cool). It’s funny, I’ve been working under that name for so long now that I barely even think about it… it’s just the name of the music I make when I make music.

How has the song writing process changed since ARMS has become a full band project? Are you still bringing all of the ideas to the table or is the process more collaborative than that?

The majority of the initial song ideas — usually little unfinished riffs, verses, choruses, verses/choruses, sometimes completely composed song-skeletons — still come from me, but the stuff I bring in usually is completely un-arranged. I leave that to the group’s mind. It’s fun to watch an open-ended scrap of melody I wrote turn into a full song in the hands of the other guys in the band. They’re all brilliant musicians, a total joy to work with. They color in my song-coloring-book.

Your new album, Summer Skills, is out now. Can you tell us about the recording process? Did you prefer recording in the comfortability of your hometown, Brooklyn, or do you wonder what an escape from the norm could have done for the record? Who recorded/worked on the record? Any special stories/memories from the experience?

We were lucky enough to record Summer Skills with Shane Stoneback, an amazing, tireless producer/engineer who also made records for Cults, Sleigh Bells, Fucked Up, and Vampire Weekend. The guy doesn’t sleep and barely eats — he just makes records with incredible bands. We were pretty short on funds, so we slammed through the entire recording and mixing of the album in about 2.5 weeks…which, considering the layering and arrangements of a lot of these songs, ended up involving weeks of end-to-end all-nighters and sleeping in the studio and bleary-eyed, middle-of-the-night trips to Dunkin’ Donuts. We recorded in Treefort Studios in Brooklyn, and mixed at SMT studios in Chelsea. The whole experience was a blur, but some highlights involved Tlacael recording the sound of himself gently massaging a pile of wooden beads, Dave adding weird Easter Eggs of his own scary solo music to the background of one song, and Matty jumping up and down for joy whenever we’d listen back to a song. Great time, wouldn’t trade it for anything.

How was your CMJ experience this year? Any memories stand out? (We loved the set at the ‘We Listen For You’ CMJ party!)

CMJ was fun! We played three shows, all pretty great. Saturday-night Southpaw for Consequence of Sound was definitely a highlight, though — fantastic crowd, and that venue holds a good bit of sentimental value for me.

How does the use of new/social media affect the band? How do you all choose to engage for the band and personally? What are some benefits of it and what are some fall-backs of using it?

I mean, at this point, asking “what are the benefits and drawbacks or using the internet to distribute and market your music?” is like asking “what are the benefits and drawbacks of eating food to stay alive?” Honestly, for better or for worse, music seems to only really exist when it gets on the internet.  It’s kind of the only way at this point. Word of mouth spreads on the internet, music is purchased and disseminated through the internet, live shows can be seen on the internet… If a band puts out a record and it’s not on the internet somewhere… did it ever actually come out? On the other hand, I was recently was contacted on Facebook by a 17-year-old fan from Florida, and he sent me his band’s music, and it’s amazing. The connection musicians can have with listeners and fans through the internet is only a good thing, as far as I’m concerned — that’s magical no matter how you slice it.

What format of music do you generally listen to? (Vinyl, CD, mp3)

Mostly MP3s, some vinyl. I just realized it’s the five-year anniversary of the last CD I bought in a store! That’s insane.

What are some musical influences both individually and directly for the band’s sound?

For me, my biggest influences is whatever I’m listening to at the time. I’m always trying to wrap my head around something new. My all-timers, though, are smart, sad songwriters like Mark Kozelek, Neil Young, Joni Mitchell… noisy texture-geniuses like Fennesz and Eno and Sunno))… whole lotta REM, too. Right now I am really into Alan Parsons Project and Gold Panda. That’s the deal. As for whether any of that stuff comes out in what ARMS sounds like — I’d be delighted to hear that all that stuff is noticeable, but that’s probably not the case.

How is working as a DIY band different from working with Gigantic/Melodic Records in the past?

To be honest, it’s not that different — we have a lot of the same resources at our disposal working on our own, we just don’t have a label-name attached to the record. It’s kind of scary as we’re the only ones steering the ship… but empowering, too.

What’s next for ARMS? Any plans to tour?

We’re heading out on tour with White Rabbits at the end of this month! It’s going to be great. Next year… more touring. And hopefully many television appearances, so my grandmother can know that we’ve really “made it”.

What are you favorite songs with Hand Claps?

Oh man… “We Suck Young Blood” by Radiohead. Twenty five people in a room clapping in unison, once every eight measures! It’s terrifying!!!! Does everyone say that one? I feel like they must.

Download Summer Skills for free here.