HEAVY MEDICINE - Interview

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Interview

	What do you do? What is your musical specialty? I started out as a guitar player and probably identify with that the most even though I have mostly played bass for the past 8 years. I also write songs and sing and record.
	How did you begin making music? Who introduced you? The 3 people most responsible for me playing are my dad, my brother Matthew, and my friend Raymond from the apartments where we grew up. My dad sang a few Johnny Cash songs and my brother Matt turned me on to the Beatles with the 67-70 Blue album. Raymond was the first kid I knew who actually played.
	What was your musical education? I played upright bass in high school then I studied jazz guitar at Douglas Academy of Music and music theory and production at Vancouver Art School.
	When did you realise that making music could be a way of life for you? When I first heard my band’s song on the radio.
	What is your creative process? It has changed a lot over the years but nowadays, basically the words come first. That probably comes from hanging out in hotel rooms and stuff. Basically I just start rapping and writing then when I get home from the road I’ll try and twist the words into something musically. I generally write everything on acoustic guitar.
	When do you have your most lucid moments, in the morning or night? I work way better at night. I am nocturnal to the bone.
	Have you ever awoken with a melody created from your dreams? Many times. The chorus of Freak Magnet was a dream. The melody is C to B to Db to C. I like that one.
	How do you know when a song is finished or needs no more changes? I am never finished a song…ever. Tweaking the last little bit of a song before it goes to mastering actually makes me physically ill but for some reason I am compelled to do it.
	How did you discover your creative territory? How would you describe it? Nirvana was a big influence because the songs were hard rock without the shredding. I just got tired of all the shredding. It became boring. My friend Skye was also a big influence on me in terms of direction as well.
	What part of your job is your least favourite? I hate travel days more than you can possibly imagine.
	How often do you practice? I don’t practice. I do a short vocal warmup before each show but that’s about it.
	How do you feel right before going out on stage? I have 3 or 4 shots of Jack Daniels before going on so…however that feels.
	What other things have you done to make a living? Nothing. I’ve only done music.
	Have you ever played on the street or in the subway? How much did you collect each day? I have done some busking. I made anywhere from 30-100 bucks a night.
	What advice would you give to someone starting out in the business? It’s not as much about finding yourself as it is about creating yourself. Think counter-intuitively more often.

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