New Musical Relics: The Blank Tapes’ Matt Adams Finally Releases a Batch of Songs 10-Plus Years in the Making
A new album from The Blank Tapes, a band rooted in the high desert music scene, represents a decade-long creative journey. The project, titled Lost Weekend, began in 2015 and faced delays due to the pandemic and the bandleader’s prolific songwriting process.
A Decade in the Making
Multi-instrumentalist, songwriter, and producer Matt Adams, the driving force behind The Blank Tapes, described a pattern of starting and pausing albums. Over the past 10 years, Adams has released approximately 10 albums, choosing to focus on whichever project felt most complete at the time. He periodically revisited and refined Lost Weekend, chipping away at it over months and years.
The Challenge of Scale
Adams noted the album’s substantial length – 18 songs, including extended instrumental jams – contributed to the lengthy completion time. He found himself repeatedly revisiting the material with “fresh ears,” adding and adjusting elements until the last few months before release. The process allowed his musical tastes to evolve alongside the project.
A Departure in Sound
Adams acknowledged that Lost Weekend represents a departure from his more recent work, which is often described as upbeat, psychedelic rock, or pop infused with folk and surf influences. He anticipated the album might be a “wild card” release, but expressed confidence his audience would appreciate the expanded sonic landscape. He cited a personal fondness for sprawling albums like 69 Love Songs by The Magnetic Fields, Sandinista! by The Clash, and The White Album as inspiration.
Balancing Multiple Projects
Despite the time elapsed since the initial recordings, Adams feels connected to all stages of his musical output. He currently has hundreds of unrecorded songs and has recently focused on slowing down his creative pace. He described his songs as “babies,” some fully developed while others still require nurturing.
Collaboration and Sonic Identity
Lost Weekend features a lineup including Adams on electric guitar, Will Halsey (of Sugar Candy Mountain) on drums, Joe Lewis on bass, and Connor “Catfish” Gallaher on pedal steel. While this collaboration distinguishes the album from previous releases, it retains the signature Blank Tapes sound – characterized by reverb-drenched guitars and soothing vocals. Adams typically aims for albums around 40 minutes in length, making Lost Weekend effectively a double album.
Artistic Versatility
Beyond music, Adams is a visual artist whose work appears on concert posters, notably at Pappy and Harriet’s, and for larger bands and festivals. He spends significant time on illustration projects, sometimes dedicating 12 hours to a single piece. This artistic work provides income and a creative outlet, though it sometimes requires balancing with his musical endeavors.
Frequently Asked Questions
When did Matt Adams begin working on Lost Weekend?
Matt Adams started working on Lost Weekend in 2015.
How many songs are on Lost Weekend?
Lost Weekend features 18 songs.
What other artistic pursuits does Matt Adams engage in?
Matt Adams is also a visual artist who creates concert posters and album artwork, including work for the Grateful Dead and Pappy and Harriet’s.
Given the decade-long journey of Lost Weekend, what role do you think patience and perspective play in the creative process?