Questions For David

[japanfan]

Since Samadhisound at myspace havent bothered getting back to me i have as a last resort contacted Davids manager. Its likely he will agree to do a free mini Q&A session as a one off for us. So keep those questions coming!

[japanfan]

Here are the questions so far, by posting this i hope to avoid duplicate questions. Everybody who has responded so far, thanks for your input.

What do you like best and least about touring?
Can you ever see Japan reforming for an album and tour under the current climate of 80’s revival?
Where did you get your ideas for your hairstyles in the period you were in Japan?
It has been said you’re into fashion, who is your favourite designer?
What is it that fascinates you about religion?
Who is your favourite musical artist?
What encouraged you to wear makeup in your Japan days and how did other people respond to it?
What inspired the lyric gods monkey?
If you had a fantasy backing band whom would you choose?
What do you like about the country Japan? And has it influenced you in any way?
I have heard you don’t like appearing in music videos why is this?
Do you ever look at posts on the japansylvian.com Internet forum? And if so have you ever felt like responding?
Nearly all Japan fans love Adolescent sex and to this day its one of my favourite albums, are you proud that your band managed to produce such a good debut album?
Can you ever see yourself reworking the very early Japan songs from Adolescent sex and Obscure Alternatives?
What is your favourite Japan song?
What is your favourite Japan album?
What direction will your new music take you and have you decided what musicians to use?
If there are to be any further nine horses releases, will you continue with the working methodology employed on Snow Borne Sorrow or will you record together?
What are your three main guitars?
Do you miss the camaraderie of being in a band?
What interests you about photography and which camera do you use?
What books and music have you read and listened to recently?
Would you consider putting together a poetry book?
Will you tour again with new material?
Does moving on from old material include the nine horses album and EP?
Is there a question you have never been asked but you wish had been and what’s the question and the answer?
Is it true you are a vegan and if so what is your favourite food?
What is your opinion of journalists and the music press?
Can you ever see yourself working with Mick Karn again?

[heartofdavid]

He's answered a lot of these multiple times in the past, like the makeup, religion, videos appearance and AS ones, for example. I don't know if he'll do an about face on the answers he's given before. I definitely would like to hear more about his faith, and the importance of faith in his life - I find this fascinating; don't know what exact questions to ask to draw more out on this topic though.

To be honest, most of the questions I'd really like to ask him would be of a very personal nature, the kind of things you'd ask of and discuss with a friend - would be nice to have a conversation of that kind but that's another universe, lol.

I do like some of the questions you see in those very brief Q&A pieces in magazines like Word, Mojo, Q, etc. Things like "What music do you chill out to?, Draw a picture of yourself, What do you have in your pockets? When was the last time you cried? What makes you laugh? What do you sing in the shower? - things of that kind. Although some are silly, many of the artists I like who've answered them have given quite interesting/funny/detailed answers - a bit of fun, a bit of seriousness.

Ah, I have one! You've said in the past that you would like your music to blow people's hearts wide open. Has that changed? Whose music does that for you?

One more (lol) - Favorite driving music.

[John Trevethan]

My $.02 worth:

Cut the questions down to the 10 most significant, that have not been asked before. Perhaps others here can help to weed out the questions asked before, and then Silvermoon could create a poll for us to vote on our favorites - thus narrowing it down to the 10 best.

Quality over quantity....

Plus we all know that David is probably not very into this sort of thing. Let's not make it a chore that he dreads, but hopefully something interesting and worthwhile for him to participate in. In other words - what's in it for him?

[heartofdavid]

My $.02 worth:...Quality over quantity....

Yeah, I agree with this in theory, but if David is willing to answer some questions, maybe leave it up to him?

I do think David has been quite generous with the interviews since the launch of Samadhisound - which only makes sense from a business standpoint - and my impression is that he's been quite gracious and forthcoming (for him), even with a lot of the repetitive questions. For new fans, and there are a lot of them here (great!), much of the information/questions are new for them - they're learning about the artist as much as the music - I think David is aware of that and perhaps wouldn't mind saying a few words on familiar topics.

[Astronaut]

I'd just like to add my opinion here Japanfan and I hope this doesnt cause offence, but a lot of those questions have been asked before and I'm not sure how receptive DS would be towards them, especially things relating to the way he looked, dressed and styled his hair 26 years ago! I doubt he'd be really interested in answering questions about his fave Japan album either ... So, my suggestion is this: ask more questions that are relevant to his current material, lets say, anything from 1999 onwards? After all we are interested in what he's working on at the moment aren't we? And I also agree with the suggestion of asking a couple of 'amusing/lighthearted/nonsense' questions too ... like:

If March was a colour, what colour would it be (+ why)?

[Melaszka]

Since you're going through Opium, anyway, could you not ask Richard Chadwick (or one of his staff) for advice on which questions David is more likely to be receptive to? (They know him, while we're just second guessing).

I take people's point about humorous questions ligtening the chore for him and sometimes provoking interesting answers. My own view, though, is that if the questions are going to be whittled down to a very few, anyway, I'd like those to be meaty ones about him and his work.

[Silver Moon]

I agree... A lot of those questions are good, but I think that the Japan ones should be cut... Besides, a while ago, he answered a lot of those questions anyway about his favorite Japan album, etc... I think that the poll sounds like a good idea! If you could compile a list of all the questions you would want asked (Everyone can post their own) I'll make a poll.

-K-

[VaporTrail]

I agree! I like the idea of keeping the questins current. Here's my question:

Which areas of today's music (and musicians) do you enjoy, and which would you like to explore in your own music?

[japanfan]

This idea will have to be put on the back burner as David hasnt the time to do this at the moment due to commitments. Id like to thank everyone for their input and Davids management for their quick response!

[Silver Moon]

Thanks for the info. Japanfan...

let's all still keep this in mind for the future!

-Kera-

[Astronaut]

Thanks for the info Japanfan, and all the time and effort you have put into doing this. Can we continue with the poll Kera? I just think it might be a good idea to have all our questions ready and waiting for when David does have some spare time to answer them!

[baht habit]

>>>What direction will your new music take you and have you decided what musicians to use?<<<

This answer can already be provided by the Fennesz interview from early 2007.

For his forthcoming release, Sylvian has opted to work with musicians like guitarists Keith Rowe and Burkhard Stangl, bassist Werner Dafeldecker, drummer/percussionist Martin Brandlmayr and saxophonist Evan Parker. There are bound to be others that Fennesz neglected to mention but these definites should give one a sense that this next release is surely going to be of an experimental nature.