From the propulsive beat of the lead-off track to the intimate Dylan/Nico closer, Catastrophe Keeps Us Together--the new Rainer Maria album out April 4 on Grunion Records--stays true to the Brooklyn-based trio's unique mix of melodicism, striking lyrical imagery, and lean songcraft.

As luck would have it, their current tour landed the band in Austin for a four-show SXSW stopover, and Caithlin, Kyle, and William were gracious enough to meet up with Gearwire at the stately Driskill Hotel to talk about their music, their gear, and of course, recording Catastrophe Keeps Us Together with co-producers Malcolm Burn and Peter Katis (whose combined resumes include the likes of Iggy Pop, Bob Dylan, Interpol, and Emmylou Harris).

We also caught a bit of their SXSW showcase set at the Karma Lounge, so be sure to watch to the end!

Critical Stats

Name:

Rainer Maria

Personnel:

Caithlin De Marrais: Vocals, Bass
Kyle Fischer: Guitar
William Kuehn: Drums

Select discography:

Past Worn Searching--1997
Look Now Look Again--1999
A Better Version of Me--2001
Long Knives Drawn--2003
Catastrophe Keeps Us Together--2006

Gear:

Fender
Matchless
Gibson
Slingerland
Ampeg