By Chris Nafekh, Staff Writer

Published in print Mar. 4, 2015

Five years ago, Arthur Boudman began studying at UNC-Greensboro. He moved to the Gate City where, as a young drummer, he networked his talents and advanced his musical prowess. In Greensboro’s own Black Santa or the dynamic duo that is Sacred Oaks, his drumming provides rhythmic sentiment and welcome solidarity. For years, Black Santa was widely popular around the Triad; their albums were unique and their sound distinctive. Last autumn they found themselves at Hopscotch, North Carolina’s premier independent music festival. Playing for WUAG 103.1, touring and recording, the boys attained a renowned reputation among the Triad arts community. With the New Year came the separation of Black Santa when members Spencer Auten and Tristen Munchel moved away from Greensboro. In this interview, Boudman discusses the band’s ending, his current projects and his future in Greensboro.

[CN] What brought you to Greensboro initially, and how did you meet your bandmates?

[AB] I came here for school and met Spencer my freshman year. Spencer and I wanted to start a band the week we started hanging out, sharing home recordings from the past. Then we moved in together, playing music and pissing off our neighbors every day. We didn’t meet Tristan until my sophomore year, that’s when it all started. We were looking for a bassist, and Spencer, I think, was working at WUAG 103.1 at the time. He went into the DJ booth and saw a goofy looking guy with rainbow socks listening to “The Fruit that Ate Itself,” which is a great and kind of shitty Modest Mouse album. Tristan came over with Heineken and we all took turns playing guitar, bass and drums. Eventually I didn’t enjoy playing guitar and got really good at drumming, so I told them that I would play drums for the songs they wrote, basically.

[CN] I’ve heard you play with both Black Santa and Sacred Oaks; your sound is primal and rhythmic, powerful and real. Matt Lovett, your bandmate in S.O. told me you’re “a whole other beast” when you play with him. Why is that?

[AB] That’s pretty simple, with S.O. I play as loud and fast as I really want to. And I get to write half the material; it’s only Matt and I, and there are no vocals. Instead of thinking what the songs are about, we consider how we can make you feel by writing creative beats. I have the ability to write more, not just sit in the pocket. But Black Santa worked together to make solid sets and improve, not necessarily for our audience, but for us as musicians. We put a lot of thought into what why we did what we did, like put together an album, even with second thoughts.

[CN] Second thoughts?

[AB] Like the recording process. The first time we recorded was for free using a car battery for electricity. We were in a house in Baltimore right after the windstorm a few years ago, and the power went out. Using an engine for electricity, we recorded an E.P. within a week. We made all the CD’s and gave them to anyone who cared, it was tones of fun.

[CN] A few months after the release of “Sorry if This Is Weird”, both Spencer and Tristan moved away from Greensboro. How did you manage your last shows knowing your band would soon end?

[AB] Honestly, we all felt it coming. For the last few months there was tension. Tristan and I are both stubborn, crazy Gemini’s. We knew it was coming to an end, but struggled to make it a happy one. I think when you work closely with anyone for years, you become sensitive. There are no hard feelings, but some of us might regret the things we said. We put out a little E.P. with Clifford Parody of Swan City Sounds, and that helped us have a happy ending.

[CN] And now you’ll have more time to work with Matt Lovett in Sacred Oaks?

[AB] Yeah, it’s weird – Matt is one of my best friends now and I’ve only known him for two years. I had no idea who he was, and he had never met me, but our friends kept telling us to play together. Two years ago at Hopscotch we were introduced. The first time we played together was almost like a blind date. He showed up at my door a week later with a bunch of pedals and we played. We wrote a song the first time we hung out.

[CN] What does Sacred Oaks mean to you? What are you and Matt working towards for the future?

[AB] It’s an experimental band for me. We never write a song because of a pedal but we try to make it textured and interesting. I’ll push myself to play a difficult fill, then find myself practicing nonstop to get it down. It takes a lot of pushing myself almost over the edge, otherwise the music would be boring. Right now we’re working on a set that doesn’t pause. We want to keep the experience going, a set that bleeds together. As long as we practicing a lot, we’ll figure it out. I’ll be graduating next May, and from there I’m not sure what I’ll be doing.

[CN] Recently, local media has discussed how Greensboro is a great town for students, passing through for four to five years, but is not considered a great place to settle down. The Triad City Beat confronted this subject, investigating the reasons people stay or leave. After you graduate Arthur, do you plan on staying in Greensboro?

[AB] No.

[CN] Why?

[AB] A professor told me the other day, don’t let school be more than life. I feel like I’m a part of Greensboro, but for some reason I can’t settle down here. It doesn’t seem like a place I’d want to live forever.