1. You are currently based in Virginia,
can you describe what the Virginia music scene is like presently
and do you feel that you fit into it?
It’s hard to tell, as I’ve
only been in Virginia for about six months, and I don’t
go out as much as I’d like. Richmond seems to have
a strong rock scene, as well as a sort of bluegrass/jazz
hybrid going on… but it’s a cool town and on
any night you can find just about any music if you look for
it. I’m not sure I entirely fit into the ‘scene’ here,
but there do seem to be a lot of songwriters around, so maybe
we’ll all coalesce.
2. You have elected to self-release your
'Most I Could Muster' EP that is a mellow, bitter sweet and
melodic brand of low key acoustic rock, on your own label
Green Garlic Records. Does this give you greater freedom
or do you find it is restrictive in that it gives you less
time to concentrate on writing songs?
Self-release (no pun intended) is certainly
a trade-off, but for me, it is well worth it. It gives me
the freedom to do whatever I want creatively… which
is hard to find in this industry. The trade-off is the time
it takes to operate the business side, but for now it is
well worth it, both creatively and financially. I still have
plenty of time to write and perform.
3. Cart before The Horse’,
is one of the most damning and daring anti-war songs ever
written,
what sort of response have you received to this song?
I’m not sure it is an ‘anti-war’ song
so much as an ‘anti-detainment’ song,
but I wrote it really quickly after being disgusted by the policies of this
administration in fighting the ‘war on terror.’ I wrote it about
a year after September 11th, well before the war with Iraq (don’t get
me started on that). I recorded it in one take the day after I wrote it, and
that’s on the album. The response is what one might expect from people… half
like it, half are uneasy with it. I’ve had people say that ‘Cart
Before the Horse’ is an unfair interpretation of our policies… and
it might be a bit over-the-top, but I think it’s pretty damn accurate,
unfortunately. I could go on all day about this, but I think it’s in
the song.
4. Despite your latest EP being a mere
five tracks long you have been know to play live sets of
two hours consisting of original material. Do you have
any plans to release a live EP and how would you describe your live sound?
Many people have approached me after shows asking why ‘this’ song
or ‘that’ song isn’t on the CD, and I don’t really
know what to say. I do have plans to release most of the material I have… eventually.
Right now, my live sound is similar to the EP, solo-acoustic (voice, guitar,
harmonica). I go on-stage without a set list, just a long list of my songs,
and pick the songs spontaneously, feeding off the feel crowd. Every night ends
up being different and unique that way.
5. What are your current musical influences?
I love so much music, it’s hard to
say exactly. There’s so much great music out there,
but most of it stays well under the radar. I listen to college
radio a lot, and it just blows me away how much stuff is
out there, and how much is really good. As a musician, it’s
intimidating and inspiring at the same time. I couldn’t
give you a list without missing somebody, but here are some
staples I’ve been listening to a lot recently: Stephen
Malkmus/Pavement, The Shins, Cracker/Camper Van Beethoven,
Clem Snide, Otis Redding, James McMurtry, Warren Zevon, Rolling
Stones, Tom Waits, and Dylan.
6. What are your plans for the rest of
the year?
I don’t really have it all planned out yet. Play shows as often as possible,
write as much as possible, and peddle my measly CDs. Other than that, it’s
up in the air.
7. Who or what makes you angry (aside from
someone firing annoying interview questions at you)?
Oh, so much. Mediocrity, ignorance, hatred,
and Wal-Mart to name a few.
8. Do you find it more pressurising going
solo than being in a band? Solo artists like Christopher
Ender Carriba have gone out of their way to hide behind
a band personna due to the pressure of going solo, do you have any plans
to form or join a band in the future??
I perform solo mostly because I don’t
know anyone. I was a little nervous at first going out there
alone, but it didn't last long. There is so much freedom
in being by yourself. I don't have to answer to anyone, onstage
or offstage. I think eventually I’ll draft some band-mates,
if only out of boredom. It’s more fun playing music
with other people, but the logistics of a band get complicated.
We'll see. I think I'd like to expand my sound a bit. There
is only so far a voice and guitar can go.
9. Which of your songs are you most proud
of writing and why?
I’m always proud of the most recent
song. As soon as I write a song, I think it’s the best
thing I’ve ever written, and everything else I’ve
done is shit. And then a few days later, I get sick of that
song, and think that everything sucks. And then I write another
song, and this time it really is the best thing I’ve
ever written… for a few days. There are only a few
days a year that I’m proud of anything I write.
10. If you were not a musician which trade
or profession do you think you would be engaged in???
I don’t know. Something creative.
I know I could never take a job that requires time in a cubicle.
I’d like to write, or take photographs, or make movies.
Sometimes it sounds fun to open a bar or coffee-shop or bookstore,
and just sit back, relax, and forget about this ridiculous
industry of music. But right now I can’t help it; all
I want to do is make music.
www.greengarlicrecords.com
David Adair |
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