And Death Shall Have a Vessel

Death Vessel sounds like the name of a marauding metal combo. And, given the flowing mane of DV main-man Joel Thibodeau, immediate metal misconceptions are given a vote of tonsorial confidence. But even the briefest of listens to Death Vessel reveals something most un-metal.

Thibodeau plays gentle, folksy songs, preferring a more delicate aesthetic than turning things up to 11. And the tiny man with the big hair has one distinctive musical quirk: his voice. Going above and beyond even Geddy Lee's dreams, Thibodeau sings in a high, clear, choirboy's voice, getting routinely mistaken for a girl.

Sub Pop recently released Thibodeau's second Death Vessel album, Nothing is Precious Enough for Us, and the songsmith is currently in the midst of run of North American shows in support of it. Before he set out a ramblin' on the road, I spoke to Thibodeau about life as Death Vessel, his new disc, and, of course, his ultra-unique voice.

Photo © [Lisa Corson]