| Subject: Re: Interview for Scallywag, etc. |
| From: "Johnny B." <johnnyfeedback@yahoo.com> |
| Date: 5/11/09, 19:25 |
| To: Barrett Brown <barriticus@gmail.com> |
wonderful bro. I'm glad you dig it. We are very close to settling the date of the album release show. We should know in a day or two, if we plug the show in the interview that would be awesome bro. let me know
Yrs.Johnny B.Sent: Monday, May 11, 2009 6:18:47 PM
Subject: Re: Interview for Scallywag, etc.
Thanks, Johnny, these are great. I'll send you an e-mail when the interview appears.
Barrett Brown
Brooklyn, NY
512-560-2302On Mon, May 11, 2009 at 5:28 PM, Johnny B. <johnnyfeedback@yahoo.com> wrote:
so sorry for the delay man. It's been crazy land over here. here are my answers to your questions. Some of my band mates should have their answers soon as well. hope it finds you well and you enjoy my nut case responses. I have attached it as well as pasted it in the body of the email. thank you for being so patientYrs.Johnny B.
1. How did Electric Black get started, and how long had the band been working together before your debut performance?
Electric Black's music draws from all the traditional genres of American music. I had to study and beat my head against the stepping stone of heritage for years to begin to understand the complex nature of the “simple song”. It was only after years of personal metaphysical expansion that my being was open enough to begin writing the songs we now play. Once the songs began to come out and reveal a new direction of artistic possibility, the rest of the sound appeared to me like a flash.
I heard an orchestral sound in my head, but laid in heavy with blues and country and folk. A sound whose lyrical quality infuses the punk rock mentality with the subtle grace of Leonard Cohen and Lorca. A true hybrid of all the art and artists I have loved throughout my short life. From Tarkovsky and Kubrick in films, to Frieda Kala and Magritte on the canvas. Countless authors, poets, and strangers I have met during my journey. The grand weirdos who have seemed to master some small aspect of "the art of living". Once this sound came to me in my mind it was only a matter of finding the musicians who would share my vision and have the chops and the integrity to stand their egos aside and participate in the bigger picture that was the song. In all honesty the band came together very easily. I consider myself blessed to have the opportunity to play with such talented (way more talented than I) musicians who love music above all else. Electric Black is a gift from God or Dog or whatever, I cherish it everyday.
And to answer your question we began cooking up our sound in the summer of 2008, recorded it that fall, mixed it through the winter into 2009, and now that it’s spring we are serving up our recipe to all those who may be hungry for a strange new sonic dish.
2. Do you write all of the songs yourself, or is there some degree of collaboration?
For the most part I write all the songs myself, but Electric Black is far from a one man show. I write songs constantly, and attempt (in vain) to have some objectivity about my work. Really the band only hears about 10% of what I write. This is because I know not every work I produce has the right to exist. Most creative ventures are some kind of spiritual afterbirth. It's important to me to be able to distinguish the blood from the baby.
After I write a song or a poem I hold it up against 5000 years of human achievement. I ask myself, does this compete, or even belong on the same planet as these great works? To be honest I haven't yet written the piece that I feel is that good, but the ones that are closest make it into the rehearsal room. But before they find their way to the band I take one last step. That is to make sure the song works as a folk piece. Once the tune looks good naked it gets brought to the band.
The band is a group of sonic tailors dressing my raw and naked emotion in the finest low-down-dirty styles of the day. They put their individual perspectives and tastes into the work. Without them I would really be just a whiny little poet with a bad voice. Lucas Leto (drums) and I have known each other way longer than is healthy and he pretty much reads my mind when it comes to writing a rhythm that can connect with the caveman in all of us. Doug Wright (bass) is simply God and I don't think he has ever played one wrong note. Jackson Kincheloe (harmonica/lap steel) and I really are the closest in musical taste as we both are blues men to our bones. He can make any instrument weep and scream, which is all I ask of anyone who calls himself a musician. Melissa Elledge (accordion/piano/organ) is classically trained and so refined that there is no way I can find fault with her. She puts a spin on the sound I could never write, and gives us the real orchestral flavor. Georgie Seville (guitar) has got such a real feel for the blues and music in general. He may also be the only guitar player on earth who doesn't suffer from lead guitar player syndrome. Rhys Tivy (trumpet) is a prodigy. He’s only 18 and can channel Davis, Baker, Armstrong on cue. But always with an original feel that’s so smooth and dirty… like a well oiled pedophile. At the end of the day: I have the vision, but it is the band that has the balls.
3. Your throat has gotten a lot of attention. Do you have to do a lot of smoking or whiskey drinking to get your voice that raspy? Did your voice sound similar when you were an adolescent?
I have drunk more whisky than I care to, or could ever remember... and smoking is my oldest friend and enemy. Ironically when I don't drink or smoke I can belt harder and louder. I know everyone hears this sound and thinks it takes a lot of self abuse to create, but that couldn't be farther from the truth. I have trained and continue to train my voice everyday. I truly believe that in order to leave all convention behind in an artistic endeavor, one must first master that same convention. Pablo Picasso could paint realism better than almost all of his contemporaries. It is that foundation in tradition and form that enabled him to break from form and tradition. Miles Davis was schooled beyond reason and could play anything, and from that rigid structure he hoisted “Bitches Brew”. The list goes on and on. There are many people who have made it without this base in knowledge and understanding of their craft, I know this. However there are very few of them that I am personally attracted to. I look for mastery in all art, especially my own. Thus I train always. I did not used to carry this philosophy. The years I spent shrugging my shoulders to any kind of formal instruction, are the same years documented by bad work.
4. What do you think about being compared to Tom Waits so often?
Oh Tommy boy, Tommy boy. First off let me say it is an honor to be mentioned along side Mr. Waits. I have been a fan forever and he does influence me from time to time, but not always. You know Melissa has nailed this topic and nailed it shut. She says: "Anytime someone can't classify something they say it's the 'Tom Waits' of its medium" And she is dead on. I have for example called Stravinsky the Tom Waits of classical music. I know I'm wrong, but fuck it. It sounds cool and makes me look learned.
Also Tom doesn't own the copyright on overdriving ones larynx nor did he invent the style. He ripped it from Capt Beefheart who stole it from Howling Wolf and God only knows who Mr. Wolf took it from. I think our (Tom Waits and E.B.) compositions are worlds apart as well as our lyrical sentiments. For the majority of people’s knowledge of most topics is surface level only, and they love to draw parallels. They do this so their tiny imaginations can grab hold of whatever it is that is his flying over their heads... again he's a grand master for sure, so it's a compliment. Now if we were compared to the Jonas Brothers...
5. Any plans to do any more "street theater" promotions like the one you did in advance of your first show when you passed out balloons?
You have no idea!!!!!!!!!!!!! Yes, yes, yes we are. We are planning a series of protests to be filmed around the city. They will have the same levity as the balloon rally but with a little more of a bite. Stay tuned
6. Were you happy with your first show?
Thrilled. As far as debuts go, we could not have asked for more. We sold out the Bowery Electric and held the entire room’s attention throughout the performance. For a room full of people who have never herd a single song before to stay engaged for 50 min was the most humbling and encouraging thing that could have happened. The interview beforehand with www.waowatv.com was fun and everyone’s enthusiastic reaction after was the icing on a amazing and sexy cake
7. What are you thinking about doing label-wise, if anything?
hahaha you can't catch a falling knife. Really there are a handful of indies that we might talk to but beyond that signing with a label seams to be an antiquated notion. Music is free now, as it should be. No one is really making much money right now but the explosion of fantastic music speaks for itself. I’m sure the labels will find away to regain their strangle hold on the industry, but for now its like the a sonic socialist paradise! Everybody has a chance to get heard, as they should.
8. You referred to your work as "American gypsy music" in answer to a question on the YouTube video of the balloon thingy. What other groups past and present, if any, would you consider to fall under that genre?
No one
We invented that genre to describe our band. Since we don't really fall into a genre and everybody says something different about us, we thought we should summarize our sound for the A.D.D. addled creatures knows as the current American populace. Really I prefer "the most punk rock country-blues chamber orchestra on earth"
Sent: Thursday, April 30, 2009 2:57:09 PM
Subject: Re: Interview for Scallywag, etc.
Yeah, no rush at all, there's no deadline.
Thanks,
Barrett Brown
Brooklyn, NY
512-560-2302On Thu, Apr 30, 2009 at 2:56 PM, Johnny B. <johnnyfeedback@yahoo.com> wrote:
groovy it looks good. Can i have a few days on this? i wanna sit down and it give it my full attention. Also i will forward it to my band to, get their answers. wordYrs.Johnny B.Electric Black's Next ShowMay 2nd 11:00pmLit Lounge2nd Av. @ 5th St.Sent: Thursday, April 30, 2009 2:36:57 PM
Subject: Re: Interview for Scallywag, etc.
Johnny-
Here are those interview questions. I may have a couple of follow-ups for you after I get the answers back.
Thanks,
Barrett Brown
Brooklyn, NY
512-560-2302
1. How did Electric Black get started, and how long had the band been working together before your debut performance?
2. Do you write all of the songs yourself, or is there some degree of collaboration?
3. Your throat has gotten a lot of attention. Do you have to do a lot of smoking or whiskey drinking to get your voice that raspy? Did your voice sound similar when you were an adolescent?
4. What do you think about being compared to Tom Waits so often?
5. Any plans to do any more "street theater" promotions like the one you did in advance of your first show when you passed out balloons?
6. Were you happy with your first show?
7. What are you thinking about doing label-wise, if anything?
8. You referred to your work as "American gypsy music" in answer to a question on the YouTube video of the balloon thingy. What other groups past and present, if any, would you consider to fall under that genre?
On Wed, Apr 29, 2009 at 11:30 PM, Johnny B. <johnnyfeedback@yahoo.com> wrote:
sweet and wonderful. let me know about sat. if you'd like a pre-release copy of our debut album just holla. word to big bird
Yrs.Johnny B.Electric Black's Next ShowMay 2nd 11:00pmLit Lounge2nd Av. @ 5th St.Sent: Wednesday, April 29, 2009 3:38:21 PM
Subject: Re: Interview for Scallywag, etc.
Hi, Johnny-
I'll be sending along the interview questions at some point tomorrow. Not sure if I'll make the show on Saturday, but I'll let you know if I can.
Thanks,
Barrett Brown
Brooklyn, NY
512-560-2302On Wed, Apr 29, 2009 at 1:55 PM, Johnny B. <johnnyfeedback@yahoo.com> wrote:
BarrettHey bro hope you are doing fine and well. Just wondering what the news with our interview? have you got some questions you wanna email over? no rush, just touching base. Also you coming out to the gig on sat, I'll guest list ya if so. let me know
Yrs.Johnny B.Electric Black's Next ShowMay 2nd 11:00pmLit Lounge2nd Av. @ 5th St.To: Johnny B. <johnnyfeedback@yahoo.com>
Sent: Friday, April 24, 2009 2:17:02 PM
Subject: Re: Interview for Scallywag, etc.
Okay, great; I'll probably just e-mail you some questions next week then. Regarding Bushwick, I just started writing for Bushwickbk.com, a blog that covers the area, so I'll want to do another e-mail interview with the drummer just to get a local hook, probably sometime next month. Got to check with the editor over there first to see if he's interested, since I'm not sure if he wants band coverage at the moment. Either way, I'll most likely want to do another profile piece on you guys for some other publication a bit down the line.
Thanks,
Barrett Brown
Brooklyn, NY
512-560-2302On Fri, Apr 24, 2009 at 1:32 PM, Johnny B. <johnnyfeedback@yahoo.com> wrote:
Hey BarrettGood to hear from you. I can not wait to meet you and begin working together, we will have a blast for sure. We have a show May 2nd at Lit Lounge. If you wish to come to that I will put you on the guest list. Maybe after the gig we can find a quit spot in the bar (though i doubt there will be one on a Sat. night) and do the dance. If email is easier for you let me know, i prefer email to be honest. That way i can me much more thoughtful in my responses rather than off the cuff but either way is good.As far as your BK inquiry goes: I don't live out there but my drummer lives in Bushwick and is a big fan of it. Also my harmonica player lives in williamsburg. If you want there contact info i'll shoot it over to you. Why do you ask? Note i have CC-ed my manager, Andreas Zettlmeissl on this email. looking forwardYrs.Johnny B.Electric Black's Next Show
May 2nd 11:00pmLit Lounge2nd Av. @ 5th St.
From: Barrett Brown <barriticus@gmail.com>
To: johnnyfeedback@yahoo.com
Sent: Thursday, April 23, 2009 9:38:59 PM
Subject: Interview for Scallywag, etc.
Hi, Johnny-
This is Barrett Brown; I write for Scallywag, Vanity Fair, and a couple of other pubs centered on New York and Brooklyn in particular. Chris said he wanted me to interview you guys for a piece for Scallywag, and I'll probably do another piece on Electric Black for another pub as well later on. We can do it by e-mail, or if you've got a show coming up, I can come check it out and meet with you afterwards; let me know what's good for you. Also, are you guys based in Brooklyn, and do you have any connection to Bushwick at all (live there, play there, etc.)?
Thanks,
Barrett Brown
Brooklyn, NY
512-560-2302