Sweet Georgian gentleman JEFREY SILER speaks to MITCH ALEXANDER about commitment-phobic emergency service workers and eccentric songwriters including touring partner David Bazan. That’s the USA Georgia, not the place in Eastern Europe. 

Sometimes the best things in life should be left up to chance. Sure, occasionally diligent organisation may produce fruitful results, and the same organizational skills may prove useful to nurture moments of split-second chance into a final product, but never underestimate the power of serendipity. Listening to Clemente’s bandleader Jefrey Siler share how he came to be touring Australia with Pedro The Lion’s renowned songwriter David Bazan, I became quickly aware that fate, destiny or whatever you want to call it had paid a notable, if not particularly glamorous, visit.

“David and I met when I was on tour in Seattle, and he was opening for Death Cab For Cutie around 2004. Their afterparty was upstairs from where we were playing, so we chatted, talked a little … and as time went by I called him and asked if he’d like to come down and play,” he explains. “Little by little things started falling into place.

“I specifically remember we were both sweating profusely! I had just played and he was DJing, the place was just packed. I didn’t see stars in his eyes, we just came together from a mutual love of perspiration”.

Siler’s Southern drawl is only slight, presumably due to his strong relationship with Australia. Marrying a local girl in 1999, he’s particularly fond of the food and relaxed environment, which he feels is good for creativity.

“Even the fact that the money’s coloured, it has this sense of a big imagination!” he says with a hearty bellow.

So already it appears obvious that Jefrey is an avid storyteller with a quirky sense of humour. These two character traits are synonymous with Clemente’s recorded works, most recently heard on … Whilst Honey Hums. Ten tracks of crooked indie pop that is almost as lyrically fractured as it is musically joyful; Siler has developed a tried and measured approach to songwriting.

“First and foremost I write words, poetry for lack of a better word, than music. I think that fans of music and storytelling…I thought ‘well that will make for an interesting evening’” he surmises. “I guess the thing I find in David’s songwriting that is so intriguing – that I would hope people would see at least a tall tiny sliver in mine – is a real investment in words.

“Dave’s got a real spiritual conflict thing happening in his work, and I understand that because, (awkward pause punctuated by another comforting laugh) that doesn’t need a whole lot of explaining”.

Clearly not satisfied with writing words purely for Clemente, Jefrey is also compiling book entitled Left Of Center: Insights On Songwriting. A collection of interviews he’s held with off-kilter musical heroes like Stephen Malkmus, Ian McKaye and Stephin Merritt, Siler is now empathizing with his interviewees when asked about the songwriting process.

“Man, it’s really hard putting it into words, I’m usually the one asking people the questions,” he says nervously. “It’s kinda like jumpstarting a car … you hope that you’re aiming downhill. Because sometimes you can get a little bit of an idea and then it runs out of steam very quickly.

Hang on, hang on! That’s enough clever analogies from you, Mr Siler! People will start expecting them from my articles on a regular basis, and we can’t have that! 

CLEMENTE and David Bazan play The Troubadour this Friday night. Bazan’s Fewer Moving Parts EP is out now through Barsuk/Shock. Clemente’s …Whilst Honey is out through Moodswing/MGM. Check www.myspace.com/clementetheband for more.

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