Episode 19 - Nick Kivlen from Sunflower Bean - Elliott Smith, Figure 8

For Episode 19 of “THIS Album…” with William Hann, I'm joined by one of the most exciting guitarists to emerge from New York City in a generation: Nick Kivlen of Sunflower Bean!

A decade into their career, indie rock trio Sunflower Bean are back with their latest (and arguably best) album to date, Mortal Prime Time. With the band out on the road promoting the record, Nick kindly invited me onto their tour bus before their show at Rough Trade East in London for a chat about one of my favourite albums: Elliott Smith's fifth studio album, Figure 8.

We dive deep into the songwriting, guitar playing and musical details of Figure 8, discussing Elliott Smith's distinctive approach to guitar and what makes the album such a timeless piece of alternative music.

Along the way, we also chat about touring with DIIV, Nick's guitar techniques, life on the road, and some rather mysterious private British slang!

The podcast does come to a slightly abrupt end, so apologies for that! I'd lost a load of my notes for a final feature I'd planned, and the tour bus had turned into something of an oven. Eventually, we decided it was time to make a quick escape!

If you enjoy hearing Nick Kivlen talk guitar, songwriting and his musical influences, make sure you check out Sunflower Bean's brilliant new album Mortal Prime Time and catch the band when they're back on tour in the UK this autumn.

Listen to Episode 19 of “THIS Album..” with William Hann for an in-depth conversation with Sunflower Bean's Nick Kivlen about Elliott Smith's Figure 8, indie rock, guitar techniques and life on tour.