Prior to her set at Bumbershoot, Sub Pop chanteuse Sera Cahoone was kind enough to answer a few questions for us regarding her latest effort Only As The Day Is Long, inspiration, the songwriting process, life in Seattle, and much more. If you’ve yet to hear any of her work, do yourself a favor and visit the links at the end of this piece. You won’t regret it.

Would you please give us your name and position in the band?

Sera Cahoone and I’m the singer.

How does the creative experience differ from Carissa’s Wierd to Band of Horses to this solo venture? Do you prefer having the artistic control or is working collaboratively as satisfying a method?

It is different, I mean in Carissa’s Wierd and basically in Band of Horses – but mostly in Carissa’s Wierd – I’m just the drummer and I didn’t have a lot of creative control over my own songs. But I do like to collaborate with other people. There isn’t one that I like more than the other.

You’ve been quoted as saying your goal is to be “a musical love child of Buck Owens and Cat Power”. Do you feel you’ve achieved this two records into your career as Sera Cahoone or is it more of a distant goal that keeps you motivated as a songwriter?

I don’t know if I was necessarily quoted like that. It’s not a necessarily a goal to be that. Those are two people I have huge respect for. I think those two names were more of a comparison of sorts. I never quoted that or anything.

Well I apologize for the misquote.

Oh that’s okay, it was written about me.

Is it daunting to write songs on such a legendary record label (Sub Pop)? Do you place much pressure on yourself?

You know, I just don’t really work were under a lot of pressure placed on myself. I try to do what I’m doing. Of course, there are a lot of amazing artists on Sub Pop and to even be on there is amazing.

Would you mind telling us about your songwriting process? What comes first, the lyrics or the melodies?

Usually the melodies. I usually write the guitar part then sing along to it and make a melody to that and then the words come last. Those always seem to take the longest.

Where do you find inspiration? Most of your songs seem deeply personal so is it safe to say they’re autobiographical?

Some of them are but definitely not all of them. It’s more of just a feeling I go by. It’s hard for me to write happy songs. It’s weird; I’ve always connected with sad songs. When I write the guitar parts and they seem sad, I don’t want to kill myself or anything; that’s just the direction I go. They’re not necessarily all about me.

In my opinion, this type of music succeeds most when it is rooted in honesty. Is it difficult to translate sincerity into art or does it flow naturally?

I mean it’s difficult in the sense that people hearing what you’re saying are just opening themselves up like that. I feel like it’s sincere to me because it’s not forced at all but sincere.

Would you consider yourself a drummer or a singer/songwriter first? How does knowing both of these instruments so well change how you listen to and write music?

I mean always consider myself more a drummer for sure. It’s really natural and definitely more of my instrument. As for writing, that’s always something I hear first, I hear the drums and the rhythm and how they go with the songs. I’ll write a guitar part, hum along, and I’ll automatically think of how the drums go. My guitar parts have a rhythm to it naturally. I just kind of play chords. I ‘m not a crazy a good guitarist, I just play rhythms.

How do you like Seattle? Would you consider yourself a part of the Pacific Northwest music scene, and how does living hear affect the music you write?

I love Seattle and I’m so happy I moved here, 10 years ago or whenever. It’s definitely been great and I’m super happy to be here. A ton of musicians here are so supportive of each other. There so many different genres and venues. I mean I think that the weather can be difficult and make you a little crazy and that probably helps the sadness.

Would you consider all of your music to have a general atmosphere of being sad?

Yeah, I would say that but also hopeful. I guess it’s a sad hopeful [laughs]. It definitely has sadness to them for sure.

How do you feel about being able to play Bumbershoot Music and Arts Festival this year?

I’m looking forward to it; it’ll be a great time. I think I played there three years ago so it’ll be nice to play again. I’m looking forward to seeing all great bands play.

Well thank you for chatting with us today.

Totally, have a great day.

Interview conducted by Jacob Price