The industry itself was nothing that ever
appealed to me. It was being in a band: that was what I was wanting to do. The
industry component didn't factor into my life in a major way for several years.
I guess you mean just being in the world of music, perhaps. It was a place I
could go with all my energy and unreasonable insanity and put it somewhere that
wouldn't get me arrested or shot, hopefully. It is the industry part that will
kill music for you. It is the anti-music. Best to stay away from that part of
it as much as possible, lest it make you hate what you're trying to do. Leonard
Cohen once told me that the balance one strikes between art and commerce is the
toughest part of the whole thing.
2. - What do you think about the current
state of the music industry?
The industry, like American Idol and all
that Mylie Syrus [sic] business isn't on my radar, so that isn't anything I can
comment on. As far as music, there are a ton of great bands and artists all
over the world doing great work. Music has always been fine. There has always
been excellent music and musicians. There has also been a ton of filler. This
never changes. You never have to listen to the weak stuff. When someone tells
me that music is boring these days, I tell them they are boring these days.
Music is just fine.
3. - What is the hardest part about being
a musician in today's society?
Probably the same thing that made it challenging
at any other time. Getting your band out there, getting people to check you
out, getting on the road and making that work, not breaking up, trying to pay
the bills, etc. It's all pretty unwieldy and hard to pull off. You have to be
extremely dedicated. That’s the part a lot of aspiring musicians can’t hold
onto because it is so damn hard.
4. - What has been the most rewarding part
of your career to date?
Still being able to do it. That’s all,
really. I just want to do the work and I am allowed to, so that is great.
5. - Who are some of your favorite artists
right now?
Ty Segall, White Fence, Thee Oh Sees,
Marnie Stern, VUM, the Anti-Job, Fuzz, Running, High On Fire, Uton, Virginia
Genta, Vlubä, My Cat Is An Alien.
6. - What is/are your next project(s)?
Working on a new book of travel writing.
That’s almost in its final draft. New book of photos in the works. New
television series just finished, about to start a film. All that along with the
radio show and weekly/monthly writing deadlines as well as other writing
projects of my own keep me at it all the time.
Photo Credit: Heidi May
