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Sting
usually doesn't change the set list much once the tour is in full
swing. How do you keep it fresh and interesting at each show?
For us, it is frustrating in a way. But there are reasons for that.
For example, when you play in a big arena, for union reasons, the set
almost has to be down to the minute. Another reason is the lighting
[which has already been sequenced]. The set is put together much like
a play. But in a play, the actors do twist and turn their roles every
night in a subtle way. And we do the same thing. You know you've been
successful when you don't get the death stare from Sting. I have a lot
of freedom on how I choose to voice the chords, for example. That's
how I keep interested.
I also get lost in the music. It's the only way I can make it work. A
lot of it is about having fun. But at the same time, I'm just looking
up in the air and just totally connecting with the music.
The world
is a different place since September 11th. Do you have a sense yet as
to how you've been affected creatively?
I think the world is definitely a different place. I think it's the
creative community's obligation to actually change the way that we
work. Immediately after the 11th, the notion of going down to the DVD
store and buying a film to watch wasn't something that we were
interested in. A lot of us didn't want to be entertained. But then
after that, all sorts of creative things started coming out. It was
like that after the second World War.
And that's one of the things I'm trying to do on this album. I'm
trying to create a meditation. Not literally, but something to make
people think. When people ask me what I'm working on, I tell them
‘something to change the world and make it a better place.' You have
to try and chill people out or else what is the point of it. Art is
there to help put some meaning into people's lives. It gives us the
opportunity to push ourselves to our own boundaries.
You mostly
play nylon vs. steel-stringed guitars. Can you take a moment to
educate those among us who are musical novices? Why do you prefer
nylon and what type of impact does the string type have on the sound?
Steel string is metallic and gives off much more of a harsh sound.
Nylon has much more of a rounder, mellow sound. But I do love playing
steel, as well. In fact, I will be playing some steel on the next
album. But my "voice" is really the nylon string. I can communicate
better. The nylon string guitar usually has a wider neck. There is
more space in the fingers and less room for error.
You've
recorded with a wide range of well known artists such as Peter
Gabriel, The Pretenders, Melissa Etheridge, Phil Collins, just to name
a few. Any plans to record with anyone else during the next year?
Yes, I'm working with Sting again. As far as other musicians are
concerned, that's one of those things that happens when it happens. No
plans to do sessions with anyone else right now. A few people that I
haven't worked with that I would love to would be Joni Mitchell, Don
Henley [Eagles] and Donald Fagen [Steely Dan]. But there are three
things that tend to happen when you have been touring for a long
period of time. Number one, people think you are still away. The
second thing is that people think that you will be too blasé to work
with them because you've been with Sting. Or number three, they think
you're going to ask for too much money.
Who have
you met while working with Sting who has impressed you the most?
Well, you can imagine all of the amazing, creative people I've met
over the years touring with Sting. I've met all of these well-known
celebrities. And then one day, while we were playing at Royal Albert
Hall [London], Sting comes up to me and says, "Dominic, I want to
introduce you to somebody. This is Garry Kasparov." That's when I was
really impressed! [Kasparov is a Chess Grand Master and was the
youngest person to earn the title of World Chess Champion in 1985 at
the age of 22.]
The
great hair controversy and other fun topics...
You might be amused to hear that cutting your hair really short before
the September 11th show, created a lot of fan buzz. The emails and
posts really started to fly. So as a service to your fans, can you
tell us what the current length status is and which direction is it
heading?
It's in the in between length, right now. It's kind of the same length
as in the Ten Summoner's Tales video. I'm growing it. But, I'll tell
you why I cut it. Because Sting told me not to. It's growing now. We
just have to wait and see. In a year's time, it will be long again.
One of the reasons I liked having it long, is that I couldn't see
Sting and he couldn't see me on stage. (laughing) I like looking
miserable on stage.
I have it
on very good authority that you are the band prankster when touring
with Sting. In a previous interview, Chris Botti told us what you did
to him on stage in Milan. What other tour caper will you admit to?
I can't think of any that I can tell you about. [Amidst a great deal
of banter, the admission is that although there are plenty, none are
suitable for our G-rated audience.]
We've also
heard that you often do caricatures while on the road of band members
in funny situations. Would you care to tell us about any of them? Is
it true that you drew one of them on the wall backstage at the Chicago
Theater?
The whole point of a caricature is to touch on someone's most
sensitive points - something that they will hate. That's what makes
them really funny. [As for drawing on backstage walls,] that's
something I do all the time. Many times, they'll be left up and when
we go back on the road I sometimes run into them from prior tours.
How long
have you been drawing and is this another art form you pursue in your
spare time?
I've been doing it all my life. I'm good friends with a caricaturist,
but I couldn't do it as a profession. I know it's a quite difficult
job. For me, I only draw people I know personally.
In your
adult life, what would you guess are the most consecutive days that
have gone by without you having picked up a guitar? Do you ever go
through a period of time where you don't feel like playing?
When I went on holiday, I didn't touch a guitar for two weeks. A lot
of the time it's quite useful not to do that. Some of my inspiration
comes from silence. I write some tunes in my head while I'm driving
and then go back and pick up the guitar. I'm not a guitar junkie that
I have to play or practice all the time. When I'm actually working and
the work mode, it's a different story. At the moment I'm in shape "guitaristically."
I'm playing a lot because I'm making this album.
How's your
Spanish these days? Do you keep up with your fluency? Does the band
make you do all of the ordering in restaurants in Spanish-speaking
countries?
Yes, I'm fluent. And, yes, I tend to do all of the talking for the
band in Spanish-speaking countries. Of course, that's a perfect setup
for some of the band gags (laughing).
A few
years back, you, Sting and some of the other band members played chess
with Garry Kasparov in Times Square [New York City]. Describe that
experience? Millions of people watch you play guitar all the time, but
how did it feel knowing that millions of people were watching you play
chess?
Humiliating. It's the only word I could think of. How does it feel
knowing you were going to lose? It was a great privilege having my ass
kicked by someone like that. He let us last for 15 minutes.
I have to
ask you a question about the electric blue shirt that you wore at the
Tuscany gig on September 11th. It looks strangely similar to the shirt
Chris Botti wore at the December '01 taping of his Chris Botti and
Friends DirecTV special. Are you guys sharing shirts now?
I'm really glad you brought that up. He stole it. He stole my shirt!
He really wanted to use it for the show. I had it in the bottom of my
bag all crumpled up. You can imagine the condition it was in. Chris
said, "Can I borrow it? I'll dry clean it and send it back to you."
I'm still waiting for it. If you talk to him, tell him I want my shirt
back. [Note: We've talked to Chris and he swears the shirt has been
returned.]
Where is
the oddest place that you have been recognized?
Macy's. In the woman's department. Also, in the men's toilets.
Can you
share with us either a touching or humorous fan experience you've had?
There are so many incidences of fan kindness that I just can't think
of just one at the moment. The thing is, we don't normally get the
opportunity to talk to fans socially. I was really touched recently
when I did a small gig in London and somehow the word got out. There
were actually a few fans that flew in from other parts of the world.
My parents were having a little reception at their home afterwards and
so I invited a few of the fans over. It was a great experience,
talking to them socially.
What is
the funniest or strangest thing that has happened to you during a
show?
My favourite story is actually a tour story that happened a couple of
tours ago. I think it was in Zurich. What happens typically is that we
get off of our private plane and generally there are three Mercedes
waiting to pick us up. (laughing) That's real rock and roll for you!
Anyway, Vinnie [Colaiuta, drummer on many Sting projects] and I would
normally always get into the third Mercedes. So, I jumped into the
third car and told the driver to go on ahead to the hotel. Normally,
we would wait for the other two cars and go together but on this day,
I was tired and just wanted to get to the hotel. But the driver just
sat there. So, I was getting more annoyed, so I said to him, "Come on
man, just go!" Nothing. So this goes on for a bit and I'm getting more
and more annoyed and I just start shouting at him. Finally, I press
the electric window button and look out. In front of me, I could see
three other Mercedes. I had gotten into a regular person's car. We
still laugh about that one.
On June
7th, England will play Argentina in a World Cup football [English to
American translation: soccer] match. Which team will you be
supporting?
I support Argentina. I don't really understand why other than I was
born there. Football was an important part of my growing up.
The last
question belongs to you. Is there anything special you wish to say to
your fans?
To all the fans that came to my show in London, I will always be
indebted to you. To the fans in general, thanks so much for supporting
me and digging my music and finding my records. You give me enough of
a reason for me to carry on doing it. I'm very much touched by the
support.
© Sting.com & Sophia Dilberakis
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