"it was all about searching for a place- spirtual or whatever- where I could create a calm space where i could channel my anxiety, anger, and creativity." he offers by way of explanation.
In the years that have passed since he first jotted down those three words, Ament says he finally found that place with Three Fish, his side project with singer Robbi Robb and drummer Richard Stuverud.. So, appopiately anough, they decided to name their recently released second LP 'The Quiet Table'.
As well as providing Ament with the opportunity to work two of his best freinds and explore new musical horizons, Three Fish present the bassist with a tranquil escape from the perpetual din and clatter (both physical and metaphorical) that is part parcel of like as a member of Pealr Jam.
"With Pearl Jam there's a lot of volume and thre's a certain sercurity in that," he says, "but (three fish) is the complete opposite to a rock show. the first part of our set is all real low volume and there's a danger in that, a nervusness if you like."
We try and savor the quiet moments and try and take te audience with us to these silent places in the songs," he continues. "It can be very challenging and ultimately very rewarding."
At the root of three fish is the abiding friendship between Ament, Robb, and Stuverud. "It's a brotherhood of sorts," explains Ament. "A group of three friends that enjoy hanging out, eating dinner, going on camping trips, and making music together. It's rare to find other men you can open up to in the way I can with these guys."
And rather than detract from his "main" band, all the male bonding and extra-curricular activity of Three Fish has helped bolster the bassist1s coinfidence as a member of Pearl Jam. "It's very easy to get a jaded and relegated to playing a role," he says. "There's a hidden presssuers in being in Pearl Jam, a lot of expectations. And even though you try not to let it get to you it does have an effect.
"I was always just ‘the bass player' he continues." Each album I'd come up with a couple of ideas, do the artwork and that was about it. And that1s what I did for 10 years or so. I hadn't completed a full song in years before Robbie ordered me to go home and finish one. As a result I'm excited at becoming more of a songwriter. In turn it's made me more appreciative of what Ed (Vedder), Mike(McCreedy), and Stone (Gossard) go through in the creative process."
As with the band's self-titled 1996 debut, many of the songs on the The Quiet Table were written during- and inspired by- the trio1s travels to the ancient civilizations in egypt, Turkey, and Mexico.
"We've probably been away together four or five times over the past two and half years or so," Ament concurs. "Mostly we just write and jam and search for different ways of coming up with a groove. You could say the songs are like postcards from our travels, but it's probably more reminiscent of a music workshop at time," he laughs.
As a decade-long fan of world music- Ali Farka Toure1s and Peter Gabriel1s Real World label in particular- Ament says he and his bandmates are "honored" to be performing at this year's WOMAD Festival. As he himself concludes, "It's certainly one of the more amazing musical eventst around."
-Kevan Roberts