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I Farm are more than just core. Humor is essential when coming across an audience who has the urge to constantly take heed of their band’s ranting. Take heed of I Farm’s advice, don’t take yourself too seriously even when conveying something you should know. This is the excellence of theme that makes up I Farm including their excellent ability to fuse hardcore, grind, and crust in a fun manner makes them the more enjoyable. I Farm’s latest disc “IV” gets a little more serious but the undertones of sarcasm can still be heard. Arun conducted an interview with The HXC explaining the themes and motivations behind I Farm and why you don’t have to.
(Arun completed this interview after he returned to the States from Kashmir with an illness that hospitalized him upon his return)
TheHXC: This is an obvious question I’m sure you've been asked plenty but how did you guys decide on I Farm for a name?
Arun: It was very systematic. We wanted a short sentence, and we had a lot that went I something, and something Farm and when the two were said together we laughed and laughed because it was so weird, but eventually really embraced the strange connotations the name implied. The runner up was Warn Christopher, which is a pretty dumb name.
TheHXC: Was this used for all the fun possibilities you could have for album titles?
Arun: Actually after the 1st record the album titles started having less to do with puns, I'd like for the next one to be more like that. I Farm for something or other.
TheHXC: Where did the idea come from to re-release your first effort "So My Kids Won't Have To"?
Arun: Absolutely no idea. Creep Records, who co-released the record back in 1997, got in cahoots with Blackout! Records and re-released some notable titles in their catalogue. It was done without our permission and we first found out about it online. I dislike the new art. That's my only real regret with the shady history of this record.
TheHXC: You guys will be releasing IV on Go Kart this year, how will IV this differ from your past release?
Arun: IV is a little more serious as a record. It's more deliberate and I like to think maybe even a little more mature. There is still a lot of speedy stuff but I feel like they are the breakdowns rather than the breakdowns.
TheHXC: The cover art of IV is interesting; does it carry a theme with the rest of the album?
Arun: The cover is based on the 60s edition of Eric Hoffer's book "The True Believer" I think it feels very primal and basic, in kind of a Jungian way. The record strives for that a bit. Familiar and disturbing.
TheHXC: If none of you guys farm what are some of your day jobs?
Arun: I am faculty and NYU Grad Film (Arun) Josh works as a reporter and audio technician (agriculture news, no lie) John does recording work.
TheHXC: Is there a U.S. tour lined up following Europe?
Arun: Yes, keep posted to our website for dates
TheHXC: I Farm is a band that seems to get its point across using hardcore and punk but doesn't seem to take things too seriously like most bands.
Arun: You can get really caught up in scene politics and it can seem so important but in the end if you aren't enjoying playing music there are far easier ways to spend one's life. At the same time that 'seriousness' can often earn a band success that 'a relaxed' band might not receive.
TheHXC: Given the punk and hardcore melding of your sound, what are some of your favored bands?
Arun: I can only speak for myself, our drummer especially likes a lot of No-Means-No type stuff. I listen to combination of buttery pop music (Madonna etc) Grindcore, and rock music. I rarely listen to albums, or to be honest even whole songs anymore, the whole I Tunes thing has really turned up my ADD.
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