I'm getting some face time with SoD on Friday evening after his soundcheck, as part of a review of his new album for http://www.harpsurgery.com.
For those who can't make the gig (Blues Kitchen, Camden) or aren't in the right country... Post your questions here and I'll put them to the man himself.
-------------------- Murray. The smartist formerly known as Elwood.
Last Edited by on Feb 25, 2010 3:09 PM
I want to know when he started fooling with loops,a nd how long it took him from that point until he started actually making real songs with it. What were his influences to use that technology, and how does he come up with loop ideas for songs?
1) Does he tongue block, or lip purse, or both? (Follow-up to this question: Does this sort of technical question interest him or bore him? Does he think it's relevant to his own playing?)
2) Did he come to a point in his own career as a harmonica player where he consciously decided to break away from what other players were doing and create his own distinct (i.e., minimalist) approach to the instrument? Or did his approach slowly evolve?
3) Which harmonica players, and/or which other musicians, most influenced his own approach to the harmonica?
After your interview is on line, please post a link on this thread.
Last Edited by on Feb 25, 2010 1:31 PM
Say Elwood what time are you doing the interview as if its not too early I may be able to video it for us. What do you think? Please ask him if I have permission to vid the gig. ---------- Oxharp
When you have an idea of how you want something to sound in your head, how do you plan out how you are going to play it on tracks? Is it better to break it up into several short loops that you queue as you need or try to make a long track?
Russ, his manager says I can sit down with him after the sound check finishes, which should be about 6pm. I've dropped you an email with my contact details etc if you can make it as early as that. If not, I'll definitely ask him on your behalf about filming. -------------------- Murray. The smartist formerly known as Elwood.
Great questions, all. I'll check this thread again at 4pm London time, or 11am on the east coast... so get your questions in while you can. Brandon? -------------------- Murray. The smartist formerly known as Elwood.
Hey Elwood, you've got to come to our jam at the Coach and Horses in Leyton some time and interview John O'Leary. He used to play with the Savoy Brown Blues Band in the sixties and seventies and he knew all the key R'n'B movers and shakers. Plays now with his own band, Sugarkane. He's a lovely bloke and I'm sure would be very happy to talk. Of course you've got to hear him play too! I'll try and find out the next time he's guesting and let you know.
OMG, I would have a ton of questions for him. But at the moment, I should probably restrain myself to three.
1: What is his song writting process like. Such as how does he come about creating his song ideas, and each element within his songs.
2: General questions about his equipment setup, and how he likes his sound. Including, how he achieves his tone and why he pairs a D.I. box with an amp.
3: And this question is slightly on a side note. Are there any plans of ever having a U.S.A tour.
Let him know that his brother from Memphis is enquiring about him. He will know who your talking about.
(edited to add) How did he learn to beatbox,and how long did it take him to master the looping pedal, and perfect his timeing a rhythm.
Im so getting a looping pedal...Ive done some things very similar in audacity with good results, but would love to just do it on the fly as opposed to forcing it work in the program...I like the many opportunities is gives for just free form playing and expression. Good stuf, man...
@oxharp: Please post anyway, I always love son of dave videos regardless of sound quality. Very good study material.
@Tryharp: I have traded a few messages with him over myspace, and he was kind enough to put me in his top friends list, and post one of my videos to his facebook page. ---------- Brandon Bailey
Hi folks, I just finished writing up the transcript from my hour-long conversation with SoD. It's not ready to be published yet but I'll paste a quick dirty sample:
Me: So who do you hate most in music? Am I allowed to ask that?
SoD: Oh God. Well, it's always dangerous because everybody has good qualities. Ha.
Me: Well, who wouldn't you mind naming? How about that?
SoD: Oh jesus. Well, it's got to be one of the big popstars, doesn't it?
Me: Well you can hate on the guy playing around the corner in some tiny little bar and he's been doing it for thirty years, but that'd be kicking a guy when he's down.
SoD: Yeah exactly!
Me: You can hate someone who's won a Grammy.
SoD: Yeah, that's right. Some working man I might not be able to listen to it becauseI find it so painfully awful, but I'm not going to put him down. The one that makes millions and takes awards for cranking out shit... Ooh what was her name? The person I really hate is Katie Perry. 'I Kissed A Girl And I Liked It' - wow, what a cynical piece of shit, sooo calculated to make money. You know, really, what can we put in a song that will sell? Liiiiiittle bit of lesbianism! Yeah, that'll work!
You know the other thing that makes people go, "Oooh, that's a bit naughty! I'll buy it!" is sexy schoolgirls, right? I mean, what else is there? Uh, maybe nun-raping. Give it four or five years, they'll have the nun-raping song. It'll be a super hit.
-------------------- Murray. The smartist formerly known as Elwood.
