Curious Queries – Interview II

[Bornieo: Fully Loaded]

Originally Posted by blueerica

MotorboatCruiser:

Most of us know that you write and perform music. How long have you been interested in music? What was the first instrument you learned to play? What instruments do you play? When (approximately) did you write your first song? And lastly, what serves as your inspiration; who are your muses?

I'd like to add: And when is your next gig, so some of us can head over and check it out?

[Motorboat Cruiser]

Originally Posted by Bornieo: Fully Loaded

I'd like to add: And when is your next gig, so some of us can head over and check it out?

I'll let everyone know when I am playing someplace that is open to the public. I gig quite a bit with a jazz band but we mostly do private functions like weddings, anniversaries, private clubs, that kind of thing.

I'm still working on putting together a lounge-oriented solo keyboard gig though. As soon as I get some bookings, I'll let you all come so you can laugh and throw rotten tomatoes.

[Motorboat Cruiser]

Here's an odd question for Not Afraid.

We all know about your love of kitties. Since you have many and spend a lot of time with them, I wonder if some of their traits have rubbed off on you and Chris.

So my question is; Who possesses more cat-like qualities, you or Chris, and how so?

(told you it was odd )

[Motorboat Cruiser]

Originally Posted by blueerica

MotorboatCruiser:

Most of us know that you write and perform music.

So many questions! I'll do it this way...

How long have you been interested in music?

To be honest, since I first remember hearing it. My earliest recollection is two years old and my parents playing an 8-track of Jefferson Airplane's "Surrealistic Pillow". It mesmerized me. I also heard Abbey Road by the Beatles quite a bit. I always had a fascination with instruments for as long as I can remember.

What was the first instrument you learned to play?

When I was about 4, the neighbors had a little cheap organ, the kind that you held down a button and it made a chord, which you could accompany. All the kids complained that I wouldn't play with them when I was over there and wouldn't leave the organ alone. My parents decided to take a chance and buy one. When I got it, it came with all these "play by the numbers" books that showed you how to play simple songs. My mom said that she walked by my room and heard me playing "Silent Night" and "Jingle Bells". She said it sounded pretty good and she looked in, expecting me to be using the books. They were on the floor though, unopened. For some reason, I was able to look at the keyboard and see the song. I pretty much taught myself although I sort of took lessons for a few years after. My ear was a major hinderance though. I could hear something and play it so easily that I never really learned how to read music that well. I always relied on my ear. Still do, although I can read drum music pretty well.

What instruments do you play?

Drums are actually my main instrument. I graduated from the Musician's Institute in Hollwood in '84 and drums were my primary instrument. I started playing them when I was 12. I can play bass guitar and acoustic guitar functionally well enough to record and write but I have rarely performed on them. I sing but it is something that I am pretty self conscious about still. I like to and don't think I am awful but there is still a lot of apprehension there.

When (approximately) did you write your first song?

Hmm, probably around 10 or 11 years old. Nothing very impressive though.

And lastly, what serves as your inspiration; who are your muses?

Most of the music I write is instrumental although I do write some lyrics. Lyrically, I suppose my inspiration just comes from life experience. The ups and down, the struggles, the triumphs, the despair, the joy. It is hard to say exactly. Sometimes I just start writing, not even knowing what the topic is and something just forms from the ramblings.

Instrumentally, it is usually a particular emotion or visual that I'm trying to capture. I've done a lot of work writing soundtracks for things like documentaries and industrial videos. In those cases, I look at the visuals and try to imagine what emotions the visuals convey. What is the pace? What is the effect the producer is trying to bring across. I've looked at monkeys in Bali and I hear a certain sound that might have jungle instruments, maybe a lot of ethnic percussion like congas, marimba, a playful jumping, yet, mysterious sound. Or I might see a WWII plane at the bottom of the sea and hear a snare drum march, ghostly in the background as a mournful trumpet plays a solitary melody. A race car might suggest distorted guitars, a slapping bass, and a very quick pulsating drum track.

I know that is kind of long-winded but that is really how I do what I do. I visualize images and try to imagine what emotion the score should convey. I hope that answers your question.

Thanks for asking!

[Not Afraid]

Hehehehehe!

[Bornieo: Fully Loaded]

Well, the original 1968 version of course! Dean Jones, Michelle Lee, David Tomlinson are all great. And it features one of the funniest men ever, Buddy Hackett. The guy just shows up on screen and it's funny. The climactic race at the end is nothing short of great gag film-making. It's a Mad, Mad World would be the only one to top it.

If you could write/direct your own Herbie movie, what would the plot involve and who would you like to star in it?

I don't know if I would want to, since I don't think I or anyone else could capture the esence of the original. There's just a real charm to the whole film that always stayed with me and is always revived whenever I watch it. I am sure the new one coming out is just going to be a horrible rehash. Sure it's nice to see the younger audience get exposed to the Herbie idea, but the original is so timeless, they should just release that into theatres again.

Carole: Help, I'm a prisoner! I can't get out!
Van Hippy: We all prisoners, chickee-baby. We all locked in.
[looks over at his hippy partner]
Van Hippy: Huh, a couple of weirdos, Guenivere.
(courtesy IMDB.com)

[Matterhorn Fan]

Looks like this thread is out of questions.

Prudence: If you could be any Medieval person, who would it be and why? (Would rather be like King Alfred or Margery Kempe?)

Ghoulish Delight and/or Cadaverous Pallor: Did you see the latest Jib Jab? What did you think? (p.s. I accidentally typed "Ghouldish" at first. I don't know what that means, but it's an interesting slip.)

Motorboat Cruiser: Do you always wear all black, or was that just for the profile photo? Also, I heard that they drained the motorboat lagoon; does this make you sad?

[Motorboat Cruiser]

Originally Posted by Matterhorn Fan

Motorboat Cruiser: Do you always wear all black, or was that just for the profile photo? Also, I heard that they drained the motorboat lagoon; does this make you sad?

Well, I used to wear a lot of black but I've scaled back. The exception is for gigs, where I still tend to. That pic was from a series of promo pics for our band, hence the black.

Sigh, my beloved motor boat cruise. We rode the monorail over the empty lagoon yesterday and my heart sank. I really would like to see them put something similar back into the area, rather than fill it. So yeah, definitely a bit sad.

[Prudence]

Jumpin' jellybeans -- I can't even pick a century or country and you want me to pick a whole PERSON? Yoiks! This will require thought.

[Matterhorn Fan]

Actually, I figured you'd either answer "None, thanks. I appreciate conveniences like toilets and clothes driers" or that you'd have a favorite author or something.

If I answered the same question honestly, I'd have to go with "None, thanks. I apprecitate conveniences like toilets and clothes driers." But take your time.