|
Q: I've
gotten the impression that Rufus wants to be a professional guitarist
in your footsteps. Has he ever performed professionally in a band or
as a set musician? Does he favour pop, classical, jazz or some other
style? - from Brian
A: Yes, he
is indeed into it. He wants to be a musician and has already been in a
couple of bands and done small solo club and pub dates. He writes
amazing songs in the vain of Jeff Buckley and Nick Drake. He has the
ingredients to go far. It's up to him.
Q: I had a
number of acquaintances at the show, all of us are musicians of one
stripe or another, and the one thing that we all found so moving was
your performance of the tar-Spangled Banner It was so unexpected,
and you played it so beautifully. At a time when a lot of us in
America aren't terribly proud of our country's behaviour out in the
world, it was a nice reminder that we can be proud of other things,
and that we can be a welcoming and joyful place for people visiting
from all corners of the globe. What was your inspiration for choosing
to the play the anthem? - from Karen
A: There
are a few reasons for doing the anthem. First, I think America is a
great country regardless of what its profile may or may not be in the
world. I love this country and all I want to do is allow Americans the
opportunity to do the same because real Americans are good people.
Second, because my idol Jimi Hendrix did a rendition during the
Vietnam conflict so I feel it's my duty to do an arrangement that I
can say is truly mine. And lastly, because I love doing the
unexpected.
Q: I'm a
guitar player, I play much also in studios and now I have already more
than half of year problems with both hands. They're very weak, I can't
play good, fingers on left hand are totally horrible, I can't move
good with, and also I feel the pain. Doctors they don't know how to
fix it. Please do you have an experience with it and could you give me
advice, PLEASE? - from Peter
A: This
sounds very frustrating. I don't know the solution to this problem but
what I do know is that doing yoga or any exercise that takes a lot of
energy helps with the blood flow. The more blood that can get to an
injury the quicker it might heal.
Q: Very
interesting to read about your typical day - but there is one thing
that sounds confusing: you write you usually leave in the afternoon
for the next city/venue - and then you say you also fly to the next
city after the concert again. Does that mean you stay in a city that
is NOT the city of the next venue in between concerts? - from
Kristina
A: Sorry
about the confusion. I see what you mean. What is happening now is
that we are commuting from NY. i.e., staying in NY for all the East
Coast shows. It means we get to stay in the same hotel for a couple of
weeks. We do the same for the Mid West (Chicago) and West Coast (LA)
shows. But I am sure you get the drift.
Q: How do
you keep it together mentally, not knowing from one show to another
whether it will be cancelled? How do you keep your creative juices
flowing and your mindset healthy? - from Cindy
A: To keep
it together we maintain a positive attitude and of course try and stay
healthy and fit. Being in good condition helps us in these trying
times.
Q: How do
you spend your "days off" while being on tour? Do you still go
sightseeing or shopping in cities you have visited many times before?
- from Stephan
A: On days
off I like to read and practice. Sometimes I will go to a good museum
if it will interest me.
Q: How do
you guys manage to keep a healthy personal relationship with your
families while on the road, (specially on looong tours)? Ain't that a
serious handicap for any musician in your particular position? - from
Julio
A: It is
difficult being away from our families on tour. But sometimes they
come and visit us. We do have breaks but not that many. We all stay
very healthy which is important.
Q: I read
somewhere that you practice yoga. Is that true? Also do you meditate;
and if you do can you explain your meditative practice and how it
affects your music and life. - from John
A: I have
been practicing yoga since 1991. It does me the world of good. Through
yoga I sometimes manage to meditate. Meditation is something I would
like to get more into.
Q: With
the release of 'Third World' and 'Shapes' (internationally) and the 'Sacred
Love' tour do you feel that too much stuff is happening in a relatively
short time window or do you thrive on the general buzz? - From Garry
A: I love playing and recording music.
The reason I did so much in the last couple of years is because I knew
and know that I won't be doing it for a while because of touring.
Q: I
noticed that you were born in Buenos Aires and then moved to Racine -
this caught my attention since my parents are from BA and I was born &
raised around Chicago. So I have to ask - how is it that you were born
in Argentina, then lived in Wisconsin, but by all appearances are
British? - From Irene
A: I was
born in Argentina because my father, who is American) moved there when
he was very young. The company he worked for in Argentina, was Johnson
Wax, based in Racine. He was then moved to Racine to work. In 1978 I
moved to UK to study music. My parents moved there after me in 1979. I
am British because my mother is Irish. But I also have an Argentine
passport.
Q: I know
that you are probably focusing on marketing your 'Shapes' CD at the
moment, but an idea popped into my head for a potential 'next album'
that I was so excited about and felt compelled to share with you. I
think the tremendously popular Vivaldi’s Four Seasons might be worth
your consideration. Yes, it has already been transcribed for a
kazillion instruments and reinterpreted a thousand times over, but no
one has, to my knowledge, generated a successful jazz/pop/rock
interpretation for guitar. - from Marjorie
A:
Actually I had already thought about Vivaldi's 'Four Seasons' which I
agree is a great idea. When I do these things I always like to listen
to the strictest versions (ie purely classical) so that I can make up
my mind how to interpret them without being influenced by someone
else's instrumentation. This is what I do with Bach. Listen to Stern
playing it on solo violin which gives me a lot of ideas and
inspiration. I like 'Four Seasons' as a title. Perhaps the track
running order could be 'Room Service', 'Five Star', 'Do Not Disturb'
etc! 'Fourth Dimension' has already cropped up, but I find it too
obvious, great as it is. How about 'Forthcoming'?
Q: I
really enjoy reading about how much you enjoy your musical
relationships, not just the music itself. From being taught to play by
your older sister, to passing the talent and skills along to your
children to appreciating the love and respect your idol Bach had for
his children. My question is, do you still jam with your sister? And
what kind of music does the rest of the family enjoy? - from Cindy
A: Yes, I
sometimes jam with my sister playing Brazilian songs. With my dad I
play old blues. He sings a wicked Tango. My mother has a beautiful
voice and likes singing Irish folk songs. We all enjoy playing and
singing Argentine carols.
Q: What is
the state of the music business in regard to a
singer/songwriter/guitarist that is similar to Sting or Peter Gabriel?
Would a musician who came along with a style, both musically and
vocally, similar to Sting get signed today? What is the state of pop
music, in your eyes. I study it as closely as possible, but I wonder
if you might have any insights for me. I know there are so many
factors to getting into the business and doing what you love,
including talent, appearance, originality...I don't try to be just
like you or Sting, mind you. Just major influences because you meld my
favourite music forms (pop, classical, and jazz) together so well.
Also, would you recommend an independent label over a major? - from
Blake
A: I
absolutely think there is space for singer/songwriter artists in
today's industry. People like John Mayer and Norah Jones are flying
the flag. The public will eventually tire of reality television (Pop
Idol etc). If ever there was a time for young songwriters to get their
act together it would be now because I predict a huge explosion in the
genre similar to what we had in the early 70's. Major over indie
label? The simplest way to answer that is that with a major you might
have more exposure but less control and you are always droppable. With
an indie you have total solidarity but without the might of expensive
marketing. Its a tough call and I've done it both ways.
Q: I'm
looking forward to the release of your new album, 'Shapes' here. What
kind of relationship do you have with your current listeners, and what
kind of audience are you hoping the release in the US will bring for
you? - From Heidi
A: I have
no expectations with the US release of 'Shapes'. It's intended for
music lovers, that's all. I do hope you enjoy it.
More miscellany >>
More questions >> |