Touring with Arcade Fire, Will Butler became accustomed to facing down sold-out arena crowds. Even so, the Texas-raised musician (and younger brother of Arcade Fire singer Win) enjoys the change of pace that comes with performing in more intimate venues as a solo artist.
“Playing in an environment where people are attentive and you can see how they’re responding is very wonderful,” said Butler, 32, who hits Lincoln Hall Thursday and Friday in support of his solo debut “Policy,” an eclectic, playful effort that jumps from melodic folk-rock ballads to tightly wound, buzzing guitar raves. “It feels very conversational and very impromptu—both the interactions with the people in my band and with the audience.”
You attended Northwestern. Do you have any favorite memories from your time in Chicago?
My wife also went to Northwestern, and she lived in Andersonville for a number of years after graduating, so we went to brunch at M. Henry a lot and hung out at Taste of Heaven. I love that [the neighborhood] is still a little bit Swedish and still has some of that character. When my grandpa was in Chicago … we’d go down to eat in Greektown and go to places like the Parthenon to get the goat’s head. I have a lot of fond memories of Chicago.
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Have you started running into people who hate Arcade Fire but love your album?
[Laughs.] Yeah, there have been a few. There have even been a handful of journalists who’ve been like, “Haha! I love your album, and ‘Reflektor’ was awful!” I’m like, “Aw, well, I like ‘Reflektor,’ too, but thank you.”How much of a challenge was it to adapt to that role where you were responsible for every artistic decision?
At this stage of the old solo career it’s a pleasure. Post-“Reflektor” and post-“Her” [Butler was nominated for an Oscar for his work with Owen Pallett on the film’s score] and post-“Reflektor” tour, which [included] a lot of voices, it was just exciting to do it all myself. I’m sure it’ll get old at some point.
Do you consider yourself more a leader or a follower?
[Slight pause.] I am a very good producer in the old-fashioned sense. I mean, I’m also a good music producer—don’t get me wrong. But in terms of communicating with people and making people happy and knowing what the right compromise is to move a project forward, I’ve had a lot of experience with that in the last few years.Was it interesting being in a role where compromise wasn’t necessary and it was solely your vision?
Oh, but compromise is always necessary! I chose to do the album in a week because if I did it in a year it might take 10 years. And when you’re doing something in a week you need to compromise all the time.
It’s an incredibly diverse record. How much of that was a reflection of you going through that process of figuring out who you wanted to be as a solo musician?
Part of why I titled the record “Policy” was to let people know it was deliberate, and it wasn’t totally just exploring. It was more of an experiment than an exploration. There are a lot of different voices and styles and things happening, and it’s kind of done in the spirit of experimentation more than “Maybe this will work” or “I don’t know what’s going to happen here!”
Even with Arcade Fire you play a number of different instruments. Are you someone who gets bored easily?
I almost never get bored at anything. [Laughs.] You wouldn’t know it from the show or album, but I’m actually remarkably good at focusing. It’s a rare book I won’t finish, even if I hate it. It’s like, “Well, I’m just going to learn what this book has to say.” The way [the album] ping-pongs is me trying to maintain an element of surprise … because I think when you’re surprised you’re more open to the music.
You mentioned the thought behind titling your album “Policy.” Have you ever considered a career in politics?
I think I would hate it from everything I’ve heard and everything I know, but the idea of being engaged on a civic level and talking to people and trying to figure out the best way forward is very appealing to me. I suspect if I were to actually engage in politics I’d be like, “Oh, no, this is way worse than the music business.” [Laughs.]
You’ve said of the Arcade Fire cycle that you get one year off and then the next album starts. Have you had any discussions about getting together to work on the next record?
Nothing formal, but it’s never been formal, like, “Let’s make a calendar!” It’s always like, “Want to play something today?” Then a year later it’s like, “Oh, that’s when we wrote all those songs.” I’d be shocked if we didn’t start playing at some point this calendar year, but you never know. Everyone’s a little older now, so maybe our biorhythms are slowing down slightly.
Andy Downing is a RedEye special contributor. @andydowning33
Will Butler, 9 p.m. Thursday, June 4 (sold out) and Friday, June 5 ($16) at Lincoln Hall.