What was the biggest fun during the making of Such a Thrill?

I had always wanted to record an album where I played all the instruments. The most fun for me recording the last record was full filling this idea I had had for many years.  It was by far the most difficult in some ways, but easier and more fun in many ways. The creative process is quite different. To go into the studio each day and not really know what I was going to do exactly was the most fun.

If we want to know you, which song do we have to listen to? And why?

Probably the song: Revisit The Past. That song is very autobiographical. I mention The Plimsouls in the song as they were and are a huge influence in my writing.

The music industry has changed a lot (or so they say). What did it bring you? And what not?

The music industry has always been a mystery to me. You have the “industry” within the group itself, and in the old days you would create something and then turn it over to others to market and hopefully promote and sell your music. That made staying focused on writing and performing easier as one was not taking care of all the business. Nowadays we all do most of the work ourselves. We have access to worldwide distribution and can cut out the middle man so to speak. The downside is the value of recorded music has diminished a bit. One must handle every aspect of their work which has its advantages, but takes a great deal of time away from the creative process.

Who is the best musician in the world nobody has heard of yet? And why will this change very soon?

Quite honestly most people I would like to mention have probably already been heard of. I think the Butler Brothers, Stephen and Brian of Smash Palace are one of my favorite current bands that deserve a huge audience. Their band in the 80’s, Quincy put out one of the greatest Power Pop records at the time and it was hardly noticed by the masses. Smash Palace just released a new album and I hope it takes off for them.

She tells you she will decide on a 5-song-mixed tape if there is going to be a second date. Which 5 would you put on?

Fun question!

1. Arcade Queen by The Rubinoos

2. Zero Hour by The Plimsouls

3. Pump It Up by Elvis Costello

4. Don’t Wait Up For Me by Paul Collin’s Beat and

5. Heaven Tonight by Cheap Trick as the evening dramatic closer!

What’s up for the next couple of months?

I am recording the second Bottle Kids record at the moment. Again playing all the instruments.  It is a lengthy process so the next two months at the very least.

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What was the biggest fun during the making of The Better End?

Oh, it was a lot of fun making this album so hard to pick out the biggest fun I had.

But it must be when I realized that I was actually making a full album, which was not something I planned to do.

I was just getting the spirit back writing new songs and I wanted to try and record a couple of them, just to see what it would sound like. But I guess it was after a 10 day recording session in Perth with The Stanleys (I recorded drums down there) that I got home and had actually written the last 2 songs while I was down there. I really needed that break and get away from the songs for a while and do something else. And those 2 songs was just what I needed to finish the album.

If we want to know you, which song do we have to listen to? And why?

Hmm, it would have to be something about music. And maybe my obsession with Brian Wilson. So I’d say The Beach Boys “I Can Hear Music” hahaha!

The music industry has changed a lot (or so they say). What did it bring you? And what not?

I never actually bothered catching up on things in the industry. I’ve always felt that what I’m doing is too far away from the mainstream audience anyways, and I’m ok with that. I’ve never made any money on it, and even though everything is on Spotify bla bla bla I can kinda understand that some artists complain about it. These days you have to play live to get heard, get on the right festivals etc. I’m really not comfortable playing live, that’s why Caddy is a one-man band. So therefore I really can’t complain about not making any money or not being “discovered” by everybody. I’m just here for the music dude!

Who is the best musician in the world nobody has heard of yet? And why will this change very soon?

I have no idea! Probably some 4 year old prodigy from China, playing Mozart on the piano with his nose!

She tells you she will decide on a 5-song-mixed tape if there is going to be a second date. Which 5 would you put on?

1. Nickelback – How You Remind Me
2. Vengaboys – We’re Going To Ibiza
3. UB40 – Red Red Wine
4. Lionel Richie – Three Times A Lady
5. Crazy Town – Butterfly

Hopefully she will think I have the worst taste in music ever, and it will only be that first date. Which was probably even worse than this playlist.

What’s up for the next couple of months?

I’m working on a new Caddy single, which will be out in November. I’ve just produced a jangly pop band from the Oslo called Family Values. We’re also trying to finish The Stanleys album, putting on the final touches. Hopefully that will see the light of day early next year. I’m also recording some electronica music at the moment and having my first release in a couple of weeks. Totally different from the pop stuff I’m doing but as long as it’s fun and it sounds good!

 

 

What was the biggest fun during the making of the last album?

There are a few moments during the making of a record where it starts to come alive or turn from something that was in your head or only existed in the practice space into a real record. Usually, they occur right after the band has recorded the basic tracks (the instrumental performance of drums, guitar, bass) or finished the rough mixes. Any time we could take a step back and appreciate the progress from a bigger picture we all got collectively excited. It was a nice boost of morale to counteract the times that we got bogged down in details or nitpicky stuff.

If we want to know you, which song do we have to listen to? And why?

“Wide Open Road” by The Triffids is my favorite song. It’s really pretty.

The music industry has changed a lot (or so they say). What did it bring you? And what not?

I have only been interacting with “the industry” in a limited capacity for a couple of years but I get the impression that no one has any idea what they’re doing. For Mooner, it means we can do whatever we like as a business with no one really getting in our way but there’s also no organized path for making our business sustainable. I think the music business tried the organized, top-down, draconian method for a while and it failed miserably. Now the industry is a mix of leftover show biz types who still want their artists to lip sync their performances and staunch DIY groups who would rather to go to the pressing plant and press their own records than have someone else do anything for them. All camps are competing for the same money and it’s strange to watch the ways in which they try to cooperate. I have a job outside of music so I don’t have to take the industry side too seriously.

Who is the best musician in the world nobody has heard of yet? And why will this change very soon?

The Vulgar Boatmen are one of the greatest rock bands in history. They should be counted among greats like The Replacements, Velvet Underground or Big Star.  Chicago’s Arts & Letters is one of my favorite artists; he does 60s pop and baroque pop very well. Iowan powerpop band Twins, however, will hopefully be big within the next year.

She tells you she will decide on a 5-song-mixed tape if there is going to be a second date. Which 5 would you put on?

“You Don’t Know Me” by Cindy Walker five times in a row.

What’s up for the next couple of months?

We’re opening for the Flamin’ Groovies on November 12th at the Beat Kitchen in Chicago then writing and recording the new record in March.