Solid States is the Posies’ first new collection since 2010’s Blood/Candy, and the circumstances surrounding its conception couldn’t have been more different than those of its predecessor. First and foremost were the double-gut-punch deaths of two longtime band members: drummer Darius Minwalla in 2015, and bassist Joe Skyward earlier this year. There was also a divorce and a remarriage for Jon Auer, who, like Ken Stringfellow, now lives in France. Life-changing events aside, the Posies are back with yet another great album. Stringfellow and Auer will be guest editing magnetmagazine.com all week.
Auer: On the the list of “Events Most Unlikely To Happen,” if you’d asked me a few years back, I would have easily put this squarely at the top. I mean, come on … we’re talking about performances that revolve around a record that was barely released and recognized in its day yet now attracts more fans and musicians that ever before. It has to be said that certainly the Big Star’s Third Live shows are wonderful, but sometimes I think I might even enjoy the hang and preparation, the rehearsal period even more. The list of regular performers and guests alike is quite remarkable, and with every concert it gets easier to see the deep reach of Big Star’s music, the staying power. There’s a real community in place now, an almost re-occurring holiday camp vibe to it, and it feels like a bit of a reunion every time one of these events takes place. Credit is certainly due to Chris Stamey for coming up with the concept in the first place. It’s really his deep affection for the music of Big Star and all of the minutiae associated with it and how it inspired him to spearhead such a mammoth project. Chris is also responsible for the world hearing Chris Bell’s “I Am The Cosmos” and “You And Your Sister” on vinyl for the first time when he created the the Car Records label to what I suspect was basically to be able to eventually release these two songs. I consider myself very fortunate to have an original copy of this single, as it definitely falls into the “prized possession” type of thing category to me when it comes to this particular piece of music history. The fact that Stamey has also had me sing “I Am The Cosmos” at a few of the Big Star Third live shows is testament to his selflessness as well as his love to play and sing it, too, and I know how much the song obviously means to him. Now Big Star’s Third Live has a life of its own, and my Posies partner Ken helps Chris facilitate it all, with his ability with organizing and logistics. It’s still kind of crazy to me that it happens at all.
