Prairie Pavement put out its self-titled debut in August 2021. Flash forward three years, two more albums and the addition of a new bassist, and the foursome has gone on to carve out a reputation as one of Buffalo’s most exciting live indie bands.
In a recent interview with 1120 Press, the group — made up of guitarists Jack Chadwick and Sal Constantin, who also share vocals, and Owen Shotwell and Dylan Lumb, on bass and drums, respectively — discussed its sound and growing success on the local scene.
“It’s better than work,” deadpanned Constantin, whose sense of humor is emblematic of the humor the band exudes on stage, across its social media content and even the art accompanying its music on streaming platforms.
Yet, as irreverent as Prairie Pavement might come across, the band’s musicianship and dynamic stage presence leaves little doubt that this group should be taken seriously and is deserving of the often-spirited reaction of those who turn out to see its live shows.
“The more energetic the audience is the more energetic you might be, but to receive that energy from the audience you got to give it to them,” Chadwick said. “If you’re just standing there, they’ll probably just be standing there. But if you’re dancing around, they’re probably going to be dancing around.”
“It’s the best thing in the world,” added Lumb, who on stage is often seen pogoing in unison with his bandmates while behind the kit.
Still, the band acknowledges there’s never certainty when it comes to performing. Prairie Pavement has played good shows when there was no audience, it has played bad shows that crowds have loved, and even played a show when the power went out halfway through its set.
“We’re just too good for the equipment,” Lumb laughed.
“Sometimes there is an imbalance and it’s a little weird,” Shotwell said. “You’re putting a lot into it, but not really getting anything back. It’s life, it happens. A good crowd is half the show.”
Chadwick said the band’s success lies in its authenticity.
“I generally think what it is is that you can probably tell we’re having fun with it, and we’re really not concerned that much of what people think,” he said. “My favorite song that we play, it’s called ‘Surely, Shirley,’ it’s one of Sal’s, but we call it ‘Bill.’ Everything about that song I feel is just really unique. There’s something about it, I can’t even describe it.
“Not everybody is going to agree that what we do is great and that’s fine. But I just feel like maybe it’s the sound, our energy and there’s a lot of nostalgia attached to it with different genres, too,” Chadwick said when asked about the band’s appeal. “But then again, I don’t know.”
The band, said Shotwell, places a high priority on genuineness.
“You can always tell when somebody’s not being genuine enough, just in general, through talking with somebody and interacting with them. And I think that also applies to music too,” he said. “If you’re watching a band, you can tell if they’re really into it and whether they’re genuine and whether they’re super concerned with how outwardly they appear. I can’t speak for anybody else, but me personally, I’m not trying to play a character. And we’re not afraid to look dumb on stage.”
One thing Prairie Pavement is not and refuses to be, said Constantin, is calculating.
“I think 90 percent of musicians just think too much,” he said. “I’ve played in bands with people who tried to plan out every conceivable thing that would happen like it was going to happen. There’s no need for that. I think you just have to feel it.”