The Feelies and Wild Carnation bassist opens up serving with the jangle pop vanguard
Exclusive video interview with FBPO’s Jon Liebman
May 29, 2023
Brenda Sauter wrangles the bass notes for the New Jersey rock band known as The Feelies. Although not a household name, the group proved to be an important influence on the evolution of indie rock. R.E.M. in particular were fans of their work, and Peter Buck helped co-produce The Feelies second album. Sauter, a multi-instrumentalist, got her start playing in NYC with groups like The Trypes, Yung Wu, and The Willies before eventually connecting with The Feelies in the mid ’80s. After their breakup in the early ’90s, she went on to form Wild Carnation with her guitar-playing husband Richard Barnes and drummer Christopher O’Donovan. She resumed bass duties for The Feelies when they reunited in 2008. Wild Carnation recently released their first album, Tricycle, through Delmore Records.
Watch our interview with Brenda!
See Jon’s blog, with key takeaways from this interview here.
Update: February 2024
Brenda’s been keeping plenty busy since we spoke with her last spring. Here’s a brief update on some of what she’s been up to:
WILD CARNATION’s sophomore recording SUPERBUS was remastered and released, for the first time on vinyl, in October 2023. Half of the pressings were on purple/green splatter, and half were traditional black vinyl. The CD version was originally released in 2006. Digital downloads of SUPERBUS demos are available through Bandcamp.
WILD CARNATION contributed a track to WPRB DJ Jon Solomon’s CHRISTMAS DAY MARATHON in 2023 which aired as part of Jon’s “Tribute to Joy Division/New Order” segment. The track, BELLS OF CONSENT, is also available here.
If all goes as planned, the band should be making a few appearances in New Jersey and slightly beyond in Spring 2024..
THE FEELIES Velvet Underground tribute live recording, SOME KINDA LOVE, was released on October 13, 2023 and has been selling well (into its 2nd or 3rd pressing at this time). It was recorded at WHITE EAGLE HALL in Jersey City, NJ, on October 13, 2018. It was released on vinyl with digital downloads, CD, and digital download only.
