Fences

Christopher Mansfield is a singer/songwriter from Seattle currently on a no-night-off tour. (He is playing at Trees tonight in Dallas.) He goes by the recording alias Fences, which better refines the overall aesthetic of Chris as an artist. “I’ve tried to take everything in the world that I love, and turn it into this thing that’s Fences,” says Mansfield. At first glance you might think the artist heads up a heavier hitting style of music, which is far from the truth. He creates catchy, deeply personal pop-songs that are haunting, honest, and beautiful. SPIN included Fences in its 10 Best Albums You Might Have Missed This Year, and his self-titled debut album is making fans of indie music everywhere salivate. Read a short Q&A with Fences after the jump, and enjoy the video to his heavily downloaded single “Girls With Accents”.

SO: You’re a little over a week into your current tour, which is literally a month straight playing every single night but a few. How has the road been so far?

Christopher Mansfield (Fences): It is hard but I am starting to find a groove. We are having a ball!

SO: Do most people assume Fences is a band? I know you obviously play with a band, but your music is super personal, and all comes from you, individually. How does the name Fences better represent you as a musician?

CM: Fences is a band or it can also be just me. The freeing thing about a band name is you can shift things around when you want.

SO: At what point in your life did you realize that you didn’t want to do anything else but be a musician?

CM: I don’t really remember. I do know that I always wanted to do a little extra in life. I mean hell you might as well right? It’s pretty short and chaotic. Push yourself.

SO: Can you touch a little on how Sara Quin (from Tegan and Sara) helped you develop as an artist? Did that change your confidence, or your drive musically?

CM: She has been a huge influence on my life. More so as a friend and someone to talk to. The same way any friend in your life means something to you. On the music side, yes it obviously gave me some momentum.

SO: I know it’s tough to summarize in one answer, but for readers that may not be familiar with you, can you describe your music?

CM: Hank Williams and Robert Smith. Well… a poor admiration ran wild.

SO: As a songwriter, what do you think makes a good song, lyrically?

CM: I have no idea. Some times when certain words are in a certain order it has just the perfect drama without being cliché.

SO: What is the ultimate impact you want to have on people with your music?

CM: I can tell you what I don’t want. I don’t want businessmen driving fast with the top down playing it. I would rather a girl applying makeup listen to it.

SO: Have a great show in Dallas, looking forward to it, thanks Chris!

CM: You are very welcome.

____

SO Note: (Check out Fences website for tour dates and all things Fences at sadcastle.com, and download “Girls With Accents”, and the full album on iTunes, Amazon, or through his website.)

*Photo by Lindsey Byrnes