Band of Horses’ Ben Bridwell on the Long Road to Releasing “Things Are Great”

Bridwell (and his dog) takes us through the “personal difficulties” that bogged down the album’s release schedule and discusses the band’s punk-rock ethos.
In Conversation

Band of Horses’ Ben Bridwell on the Long Road to Releasing Things Are Great

Bridwell (and his dog) takes us through the “personal difficulties” that bogged down the album’s release schedule and discusses the band’s punk-rock ethos.

Words: Jonah Bayer

Photo: Stevie and Sarah Gee

March 22, 2022

When Band of Horses’ frontman Ben Bridwell tells us that the group’s new album was “wrought with personal difficulties," he isn't kidding. Correspondingly, Things Are Great features a new lineup, multiple recording attempts, and an extended release timeline to the point where Bridwell isn't even sure if he listened to the final master of the album before it was sent off to the pressing plant. However, looking back, he's thankful that the process allowed him to write additional songs that help center the album into his own personal reality, and that’s evident in the final product. 

We caught up with Bridwell (and his dog) while he was at home to discuss the new album, the way the band’s ethos is inspired by punk rock, and where he thinks Band of Horses ultimately fits in from an artistic perspective.