They Might Be Giants, a beloved alternative rock duo with roots in Brooklyn, are approaching an impressive milestone: their 40th anniversary. At the heart of this enduring musical project is John Linnell, one half of the band alongside John Flansburgh. Linnell’s contributions are vast; he is a songwriter, vocalist, and multi-instrumentalist, lending his talents on accordion, saxophone, clarinet, and keyboards to create the band’s signature sound. His work is evident in fan-favorite tracks such as “Particle Man,” “Ana Ng,” and “Don’t Let Start,” a testament to his consistent creativity over decades.
In a recent episode of “Brooklyn Magazine: The Podcast,” John Linnell himself reflected on the remarkable staying power of They Might Be Giants. He offered a humble yet insightful explanation for their longevity: “We’ve never been the current thing at any point which is actually probably the best explanation for how we’ve been going this long. We’re not strongly associated with any particular historical epoch,” Linnell stated. This detachment from fleeting trends, it seems, has allowed They Might Be Giants to cultivate a timeless appeal. Linnell also touched upon the broader experience of aging and time, noting, “Everybody gets to a certain age you start to realize that most of your existence is back in this period that’s long gone now.”
Born in New York and raised in Massachusetts, the 62-year-old John Linnell’s musical journey began in high school where he first connected with John Flansburgh. Their relocation to Brooklyn in the early 1980s, specifically a then-transforming Park Slope, marked the true genesis of They Might Be Giants. It was in this environment that their collaborative songwriting began to flourish, producing the catchy, humorous, and endearingly eccentric songs that would define their career.
Reflecting on their early approach, Linnell shared, “The philosophy probably was, ‘we’re just going to be intuitive and see where this goes.’ But, saying that, I know that we have always taken ourselves way too seriously in terms of our presentation,” He further elaborated on the band’s meticulous nature, contrasting it with public perception: “We privately are super uptight about all these little decisions about presentations and instrumentation and formal things in music. It’s pretty embarrassing because people think we’re just completely goofing around.” This dedication to craft underlies the seemingly whimsical exterior of They Might Be Giants’ music.
Beyond the band, John Linnell’s individual artistic explorations are equally intriguing. This year saw the release of his EP, “Roman Songs,” a project showcasing his adventurous spirit with lyrics written entirely in Latin. The EP features original compositions alongside a surprising cover of The Ramones’ classic, “I Don’t Wanna Walk Around with You,” reimagined as “Tecvm Circvmambvlare Nolo.” This venture into Latin lyrics exemplifies Linnell’s constant pursuit of novelty, even while acknowledging his self-professed lack of trendiness: “I try to stay au courant, but I’ve never been a hip, with it person,” he admitted. However, the devotion of They Might Be Giants’ fanbase, which he clearly values, might suggest otherwise.
Linnell offers an interesting perspective on the fan experience, noting a potential disconnect between his personal appreciation for their music and that of his listeners. “I would say that what I like about us isn’t probably always overlapping with what everyone else likes about us,” he explained. Specifically, he divulged his deep interest in the technical aspects of songwriting: “Personally I like a lot of the music theory stuff behind the songwriting and almost nobody else cares about that. I like the way the notes and chords and rhythms all work. I’m very obsessed with that stuff.” This insight reveals a layer of complexity appreciated by few but central to John Linnell’s musical identity.
While a 40-year career offers extensive ground to cover, this conversation with John Linnell provides a glimpse into the mind behind the music. To delve deeper into the history of They Might Be Giants and their recent work, including their album “Book,” listeners are encouraged to explore this detailed profile.
For the full conversation and more insights from John Linnell, be sure to listen to the “Brooklyn Magazine: The Podcast” episode. Subscribe and tune in wherever you access your podcasts, including Spotify and Apple Podcasts.
