After breaking up before the release of its second album in 1998, Cursive re-formed upon the return of its lead singer, Tim Kasher, from Portland.
“He came back, and we started hanging out,” bassist Matt Maginn said. “It was just like, ‘Well, people moved back here. Maybe we should do this again.’”
Cursive did do it again, releasing four more LPs and becoming a Saddle Creek Records staple.
The band will be making a stop in Columbia on the way to Miami to start a tour with Bright Eyes.
“We wanted to book shows on the way down, and we always have a good time in Columbia, so we wanted to stop there,” Maginn said.
Maginn said Columbia fans should expect a mix of old and new tracks.
“We’re going to play a good mix of a lot of the stronger tunes on the last two records,” Maginn said. “And ideally we’re going to play one or two new songs as well.”
Cursive is working on new songs as part of its new record currently in progress.
“I would describe it as a little more back to some of our older style of bizarre, intricate but up-tempo and kind of anthemic, rocking tunes,” Maginn said.
Since releasing the break-out _The Ugly Organ_ to universal approval, the band has built a following with a sound described as emo and post-hardcore by some, but dubbed simply “rock and roll” by Maginn. The band’s origin lies with Saddle Creek Records and the Omaha music scene.
“It was the guys in The Faint and Bright Eyes and Cursive all sort of working around each other at the same time and encouraging each other in a real positive, creative way,” Maginn said. “We were all friends and you always wanted to make them happy or have them dig what you were doing. I think, we all went in different directions, but we’re always trying to push ourselves to do something unique.”
Multiple members of Cursive have contributed to Bright Eyes records. Maginn has played bass on six Bright Eyes LPs.
“I like it because, for me, it’s just different,” he said. “It’s a different style and type of music so it gives me a chance to play just a little differently.”
There is also the benefit of getting to play without having to deal with the normal obligations of a band.
“I can just write my parts and record it,” Maginn said. “You don’t have to be quite as worried about all the other day-to-day work that band members that are part of the band have to do.”
While Conor Oberst has hinted that _The People’s Key_ could be Bright Eyes’ last album, the members of Cursive have no concrete plans of calling it quits any time soon.
“We talk about breaking up after every record, I think,” Maginn said with a laugh. “I think we’re just going to keep doing it until it’s not fun and we don’t feel like we’re getting any creative experience out of it. I guess that’s about it. That’d be the
decider.”
Cursive will perform at 8 p.m. Friday at Mojo’s, with Call Me Lightning and Boreal Hills. Tickets are $12 beforehand and $14 at the door.