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...and to all a good night (LONG, conjectur-ish)
I'm reposting this, it didn't seem to make the cut before... (?!?)
Welp, another solstice, another roundup. Here's the scoop for those of
you not cool enough to attend (and for Snoop, who presumably missed the
beginning while having his fake ID confiscated.
The only shockers that were played were Gospel Number, Paul and
Virginia, and Casualty (And Can it Ever Be). Todd and Shelly tried to
get Sister in there, but it wasn't to be.
I didn't see a single audio or video recording device at the roundup
yesterday, so here's some of the questions that I can recall being asked
and approximate answers. Don't beat me up, this is from memory:
Q: Who are your influences?
LA: Brian and I were talking about this the other day. Basically I
think everything that you listen to throughout your life has some
influence on what you play. One of the earliest things I can remember,
before I could speak, is watching a piano player. I don't think he
liked me taking an interest. I remember my father bringing home a
record of the Homeless Peruvian Orphans [that definitely wasn't it, but
it was darned close] and really liking it. Everything goes in and
affects what you play, how you play.
Q: Do you write melodies then lyrics, or the other way around?
LA: (not even close to correct wording here; basically he said that
whatever happens happens.) I've taken to keeping a notepad handy at all
times so when the inspiration occurs I can document it. Usually it's
pages of bad work, but occasionally there's some good stuff there.
Usually verses that come really quickly are the best. When I first got
into playing and writing music, I admired the virtuoso-style playing,
but I grew into liking a different style altogether, something a little
deeper. I really respect so-called virtuoso-lyricists, like Joni
Mitchell and Bob Dylan.
Q: Are you gonna release a live CD, I know you were talking about that
a while ago.
LA: Well, I was thinking about that, and about a year ago I dug through
piles of tapes, hoping to collect and document some of the things we'd
done in the past 7 years. I had maybe 6 or so that I thought would have
to be on there, but...
Q: You're CDs are great, but live it's just another thing completely.
LA: Thanks, thanks. Frankly, the collection doesn't interest me that
much at all. I'm more looking forward to the future with the band than
the past.
Q: What's that spinning thing on stage with you, Linford?
LA: [He gave a completely non-clinical exegesis of his Hammond, the
Leslie amp and the spinning speaker that creates that tremolo effect]
[IMHO, this next bit belongs in the files of "What Not to Do at a
Rhinelander Roundup"]
Dork from audience: Are you going to walk around later and sign things?
LA: Yes.
Dork: Good. I have a liner from the CD I made from the Northern
Kentucky Symphony that I'd like you to sign.
L: A what?
Dork: The CD I made from the WNKU broadcast. I recorded it digitally
and made CDs from it. We got permission from Gus.
L and K: Who?
Dork: Gus.
L and K: Who's Gus?
Dork: From your office. Would you like to see the CD?
L: Yes, bring it on up to the stage.
(Dork brings CD up to the stage... Linford peruses the half baked liner
notes, replete with lyrics reprinted sans permission, et. al.)
L: ...who made this again?
Dork: Me and my friend Rob. We had permission to make eight of them.
Would you like a copy?
L: Uhh. Yeah. It's always nice to know how many CDs you have out.
[In my view, Linford actually seemed to be boiling so much that he
became woozy. Brian was looking through the book for himself, and all
the band sans Jack were huddled over the keyboards. Afterwards, I spoke
with the dork and told him that that probably wasn't the smartest thing
he could've done, considering Linford's general take on bootlegs. The
dork shrugged it off, oblivious.]
Q: Why did you move to Cincinnati?
LA: I was bored with NE Ohio, some of us had an opportunity to play
with a band, and it included a trip to Australia, so...
Q: Linford, do you miss playing the bass?
LA: Aaah. I'm pretty happy where I am.
Q: Why lately have you been singing "Paul and Zinnia" now instead of
"Paul and Virginia"?
(Terri explains the question to Karin, both seem puzzled.)
KA: Hmm. It's actually "boiled ham and Virginia" we're singing.
Q: Jack, did you get your hair cut since last night?
(He looks at Brian and they laugh, as if they expected this question).
JA: Yes.
Q: What was the last CD/record each of you bought?
[Long pause from everyone.
Q: Mike, do you still keep in touch with anyone from Plow on Boy?
MA: Well, not much contact really. We kinda keep tabs on one another,
but...
LA: Toby and (other guy from the band) told me once that they knew Mike
would be the first one to get a new gig.
Q: Were there any hard feelings from the old bandmates when you joined
Over the Rhine?
BA: There's six of us, only three of them.
MA: I could take all three of them on at once. (laughs). No.
Q: Brian, were you serious about your record picks on the Eve CD?
BA: No!
Q: I can usually sense sarcasm pretty well, but you seemed really
serious.
BA: We had a good director.
Q: Mike, where did you school to be such the phat cat that you are on
bass? (I'll give y'all one guess as to who asked this) :)
MA: Actually, I did go to CCM (UC's music college) but I learned mostly
through practice, and making mistakes and learning from them. It's like
what Linford said, a musician takes in everything and the playing
reflects that. [Bruce's note: I don't mean to imply that what I wrote
here is eloquent or anything, but Mike's actual words were far less
eloquent than this]
Q: Jack, are you a big Tom Waits fan?
JA: I've heard that a lot; I had never heard him when I started
singing, and my voice is a result of singing over loud guitar. It'd be
cool to say that I didn't like him, but I actually do.
Q: Jack, do you plan on recording again?
JA: Uhh, we'll see how all-consuming this [OtR] is, and take it from
there. I'd like to.
Q: How can we get a copy of your CD?
JA: Hmm. I used to have some here, but we've sold out of them.
LA: We gave them all to Goodwill. (laughs)
JA: Perhaps I can send some over, and I guess you can just go through
the same channels as you would to get an Over the Rhine CD. (He then
looks at Karin as if to ask for approval, she nervously looks to Linford
who seems genuinely shocked at the proposal, ponders for a moment, and
then realizes there's no diplomatic way to disagree).
LA: Sure. That'd be fine.
Q: Brian, do you miss playing rock and roll?
BA: Um. This last ... tour has made my ... life. We're much more pop
oriented, a pop band. I'm very happy with that. [Terri begins the
clapping]
L: Someone ask Terri something.
T: No, no. Don't! I'm much better at interrupting during someone
else's answer.
QShelly: Is this better than teaching kindergartners?
TA: At least they're potty trained.
K: Us, or the kindergartners?!
Q: How did you start with the band?
TA: Geesh, weren't you at the show last night? [She explains the whole
Bolotin "Songs of the Blood" thing, the DNotY contribution, last years
Emery and getting a call in March or so from the band]
Q: How do you get OtR to play a show?
LA: It's pretty unglamorous, actually. I'm ... acting as the tour
manager so you reach the office, make sure the band can get paid...
[Talks about his "brilliant" stroke of genius scheduling Boston on a
Friday then Oregon on the Tuesday following. Blamed using the tag line
"21 Reasons to Pray for Snow" as the culprit. Spoke about driving 26
hours straight after the ice storm in November to get to the Boston
show]
Q: Will you consider touring the West Coast again soon?
LA: Actually, this last tour did really well. [One of the venues] sold
out two days before the show, and we were considering doing another
night there. So... Yeah, we could conceivably do the West Coast again
soon and do well. [Clapping and cheering from Shelly]
Q: What are your favorite venues to play?
KA: Emery. It's a great place, always nice to be on your home turf.
M/LA: Schubas.
TA: That's a great room.
LA: Jack likes Peabody's Down Under.
Q: How about Canal Street?
(All agree quite a bit)
There was a bit of talk from Karin about Lucy, she wanted her to come up
to stage and give a little speech since she was "amongst friends". She
stood and was contemplating reluctantly the speech thang, but was
interrupted by a question and sat down...
Q: Are we ever gonna find out more about Mary?
LA: You mean other than she's the mother of Jesus and all? (crowd
laughs). She ~is~ an elusive icon. (more laughs). Other than the
occasional appearance... at [some church] last month...
BalconyGuy: Hey! That's my church!
[eerie silence occurs].
Q: I'm a musician and I admire your work, but how do you [really deep
question involving negative energies, negativity in general, balance in
life, showing that in music, etc.]
L: Hmm. Good question. [He looks towards Jack to answer. Jack seems
mortified that Linford wants him to answer ~this~ question.]
JA: Uhh. I don't think there's an answer to that question, really. [I
honestly forget the rest of what Jack said, it was a truly good reply to
such a intangible query, but I think I was embarrassed for the band at
being asked such an bizarre, emotional question. My brain synapses
slowed. If anyone else remembers what was asked, replied, please post!]
Q: [Something about if they are gonna be signed, he had heard that
Rykodisk was interested in signing them]
BA: Well, I don't know if we actually got a solid offer. [Turns to
Linford.] Did we? (laughs) I think the money was good, but I for one
am not interested in anything that we are unsure of, like the last time.
L: Well, what we have in store for '88 is...
Crowd: '98!
L: What did I say?
Crowd: '88!
K: Cut him some slack! He's operating on two hours of sleep last
night. He was the chauffeur for the bands.
L: Which I enjoyed quite a bit. Anyway, we hope to take a little of
January off, and then play 12 or so shows per month until we sign a deal
that we are comfortable with. We have a new manager, and... we're
comfortable to wait it out.
The band seemed really relaxed during questions, and Brian was great.
He seems to be warming up to the mic singing ~and~ speaking-wise. He
got up front (Karin's mic) during part of the questions, and Karin
meandered back to the drum kit and said "Brian always wanted to be a
front man"...
The songs sounded solid, of course. Terri's violin during the end of
"Casualty" was the loudest in the mix I had ever heard it. It's really
good! She should be used more often in the future...! I also just
wanted to throw her up a tambourine during "Gospel Number". But then
that might be construed as being pro-Ric... Heh heh.
Anyway,
Have a peaceful holiday. Enjoy your friends, family during the time
off. Remember to look around at the general public in the stores or
malls or street on Wednesday. At least where I'm from, everyone seems
REALLY happy for two days in a row. I'm not convinced it has much to do
with the Latin mass or door-to-door carolers or a big fat guy in a red
suit... Maybe Capra was just capturing what you can see once every
year: a nice slice of Christmas Spirit. Smile.
Don, I wish you the best in your endeavours. Remember to take a deep
breath, get rid of animosity and let your mind clear before you lean
towards angry feelings! :) I think I thought I agreed with parts of
your post last week until this weekend. There's a big difference
between one person's interpretation of text and another's. We're a fun
bunch. I'm glad I know all of y'all.
Deb, Damian, Drew, Jan, Jeff, Jen, Jess, Shelly, Snoop, Stephanie,
Steve, Walter: it was great seeing everyone/meeting a few new ones. I
hope I've not forgotten names, but that's always a danger when meeting
tons of people. I have plenty more to post, but it will have to wait
until after Jesus is born again.
Bruce (signing off, entering Medazzaland).