|
bsj:
|
Can
you give us the scoop on the "Americana" recording
sessions? How did it go? |
|
JM: |
I think it turned out okay. The stuff
sounds alright. |
|
bsj:
|
I
understand 14 songs were recorded with 10 songs
slated for release on "Americana". What will
happen to the additional 4 songs? |
|
JM: |
Actually, it was only 13. They will
probably show up on a summer EP, or possibly
another full length. |
|
bsj:
|
Do
you have a favorite song on "Americana"?
|
|
JM: |
My favorite song didn't make it on the
record. I don't think it turned out quite right
so, I dropped it. It was called 'I Was 17'. It
will turn up on something. |
|
bsj:
|
Early reports are that "Americana" will have more
of a rock sound with fewer ballads than "Gold".
Was this a conscious effort, or did it just work
out that way? |
|
JM: |
Well, I wanted just rock 'n roll, but I
really liked some of the ballads so, there will be
a little of that. |
|
bsj:
|
Although Gene Eugene had worked with you in the
past, why did you choose him to produce
"Americana" rather than to produce it yourself?
|
|
JM: |
Just to back off a little from the project
and let it breathe, instead of me nitpicking it to
death. Also, Gene is cool. |
|
bsj:
|
Did
you write the songs on "Americana" gradually or
quickly? |
|
JM: |
The songs have been written over the past
few years. I think only maybe 2 or 3 of the songs
were written recently. I find that I like a lot
more of the songs I wrote when I was 19 or 20. So,
basically every SF59 album is a combo of old and
new. To me, it makes for a more interesting album.
|
|
bsj:
|
What
normally comes first for you, the music or the
lyrics? |
|
JM: |
The music. |
|
bsj:
|
Did
you write all the songs on "Americana"?
|
|
JM: |
Yes. As long as there is Starflyer, I'll
write all the songs. |
|
bsj:
|
The
SF59 sound changed significantly between the
"Silver" and "Gold" albums. Would you say
"Americana" is another significant change?
|
|
JM: |
Yes and no. Some of the songs on
"Americana" could have been on "Silver" and
"Gold", but the way the songs are put down and the
sounds we used are different. I mean, there is no
point in having crazy feedback guitars. I've been
there, done that -- it's boring.
|
|
bsj:
|
It
seems in every interview I've read with you, you
are asked about the 'spirituality' of the SF59
lyrics. I for one appreciate any Christian artist
who does whatever he/she feels led to do, whether
it is blatantly spiritual or not. I am sure you
are tired of addressing the issue of SF59 lyrics
not being 'Christian enough'. Will "Americana"
have a more direct spiritual theme? |
|
JM: |
Yes. The theme of "Americana" is basically
how unimportant music is, and it should not be
your lord - Jesus Christ is. I mean it's hard to
explain lyrics because a lot of it is me talking
to myself in a song. But, I hope it does encourage
people. I'm tired of being sad.
|
|
bsj:
|
A
lot of the press releases for the T&N re-signing
and the recording sessions have mentioned there
will be a lyric sheet in "Americana". Does it
worry you that if critics actually *read* your
lyrics they might be even more critical?
|
|
JM: |
No. It will just show people what they
really haven't been missing all the time.
|
|
bsj:
|
Has
the addition of Eric Campuzano and Wayne Everett
changed the SF59 sound? |
|
JM: |
It still sounds like Starflyer, but it
sounds like a band. They really play cool, and
added a lot more feel. |
|
bsj:
|
I
thought the "California" EP from their project The
Lassie Foundation was one of the best things I've
heard this year. What did you think of it?
|
|
JM: |
"One In A Million" is my favorite chorus
this year, along with "The Cobbler" from Joy
Electric. |
|
bsj:
|
Your
wife Julie coontributed some really wonderful
vocals on that EP. I thought she really *made* the
song "I Can Be Her Man". You and she also did the
Bon Voyage project together. Can you tell us what
other projects she might be working on?
|
|
JM: |
We've got a band now for Bon Voyage; so
we're working on demos to shop around. There
should be another 7" in the next few months on VBM.
|
|
bsj:
|
Has
being married changed your song lyrics? Will there
be no more "lost love songs"? |
|
JM: |
Yes and no. Some songs were about lost
love, but a lot of songs were not at all about the
lost love people thought. It was a personal lost
love for the better days. A lot of people never
understood that, but it doesn't really matter.
|
|
bsj:
|
SF59
fans are always talking about missing Andrew
Larson. Do you still keep in touch? What is he
doing these days? |
|
JM: |
We live in the same apartment building.
He's doing good. Right now, he is in the process
of starting his own business of making leather
goods. |
|
bsj:
|
The
SF59 sound is difficult to categorize, and yet,
every- one seems to want to do so. Some people
call you a "shoegazer" band. You are always placed
in the "alter- native" music category. However, I
get the impression you resent those tags being
placed on the band. Would you comment on that?
|
|
JM: |
Alternative music doesn't exist. Shoegazer
music has been dead since 1991. The only shoegaze
music we ever did is maybe "The Zenith" from
"Silver" -- even that wasn't current when it came
out. Now, I hear bands that are doing what I tried
to do four years ago -- stuff that wasn't current
even at that time. Like the Bible says, "there is
nothing new under the sun," especially in
Christian music. I just want to be a decent
songwriter, not a follower. |
|
bsj:
|
You
have been incredibly busy since starting SF59.
First, there is a large amount of output from the
band itself, relative to the time you've been
around. Then, there are all the production
projects you have been involved with. Are you
exhausted? |
|
JM: |
Yes. I've been stressed out lately. I just
love music. But, sometimes music just takes over
my life. I know it's not right. My walk with the
Lord needs to be the most important, but sometimes
it's just not. Rock and roll can be a user.
|
|
bsj:
|
Would you prefer to be out front performing or
behind the scenes producing? |
|
JM: |
I'm not very comfortable singing in front
of people. In the making of records you can be a
lot more creative. It's exciting to see how songs
turn out. |
|
bsj:
|
Do
you have any scheduled production projects you can
tell us about? |
|
JM: |
Nothing for sure, but I would like to do
the Pony Express and a band on Tooth & Nail called
Delta Haymax. |
|
bsj:
|
Jeff
Cloud told me that you and he were "computer
illiterate". However, SF59 has a tremendous
presence on the Internet. There are at least four
web pages/sites devoted to the band and you are
discussed at great length in newsgroups and chat
rooms. Does this surprise you? |
|
JM: |
Yes. I still think it is really weird
people even care what I'm doing. To a certain
point it's flattering, but on another point it's
embarrassing. I still think it's exciting that
people have been influenced by Starflyer.
|
|
bsj:
|
There are any number of "underground" or
"alternative" Christian bands - bands that have
some following, but do not get wide exposure in
the mainstream CCM media. SF59 would have to be
considered as one of the most popular of these
types of bands. Why do you think this is?
|
|
JM: |
Starflyer is just not very appealing to
"musicians". I don't have the voice or dynamics to
make the front page. I used to play in my church
worship band. Most of the people were into the CCM
bands. They loved the powerful voice, the dynamic
lyrics, the musicianship, or whatever. I just care
about good songs. But, I don't want to knock those
guys. If God is using some of their ministries,
it's cool, and if God is using us not on the cover
of CCM, that's cool too. |
|
bsj:
|
During the summer, SF59 fans were holding their
collective breathes while you were deciding on a
new record deal. Why did you decide to re-sign
with Tooth & Nail? |
|
JM: |
I like Brandon. He gave me a good deal. He
lets me do the music I want to do.
|
|
bsj:
|
Rumor was that you were approached by some "major"
labels during this period. Would you care to
comment? |
|
JM: |
We almost had a publishing deal with a
company called Rondor, and they would have gotten
us the deal. We did did this demo with me trying
to write big choruses or something, and played
this big showcase, but just didn't pull it off. I
was kind of bummed because I thought it was going
to happen, but God is in control of all things. I
guess it wasn't right. |
|
bsj:
|
How
extensively are you involved in Velvet Blue Music?
|
|
JM: |
Jeff (Cloud) is my best friend. So, I'll
help with the bands, like producing, and we'll
talk about what bands to sign or whatever. But,
Jeff does all the biz. I'll just contribute in
areas where I have a little more know how.
|
|
bsj:
|
Several rumors were started during this "decision
period" that SF59 might sign with VBM. Do you
envision a day when that might happen?
|
|
JM: |
No. I think it would be best to keep that
seperate. |
|
bsj:
|
Now
for the *really* frivolous stuff. You have been
noted for endorsing various brands of motorcycles
in the past. Do you still ride? |
|
JM: |
No. I have a 1973 CB350 that isn't running
at the time. Sorry. |
|
bsj:
|
If
you were stranded on a desert island and could
take 10 records (albums and/or songs) with you,
what would they be? |
|
JM: |
"Finest Kiss" - Boo Radleys
"Ceremony" - New Order
"Last Night I Dreamed Somebody Loved Me" - The
Smiths
"Solid Gold" - Luxury
"Ana" - Pixies
"Andmoreagain" - Love
"Bye Bye Color" - L.S.U.
"Killing Moon" - Echo & The Bunnymen
"Girlfriend In A Coma" - The Smiths
"Grace Cathedral Park" - Red House Painters
I'd need more than 10. These are just some songs I
love. |
