Here is the reply I received from Steve Jansen. Might I suggest that, if, in the future we wish to ask DS, JBK any questions they could be a little more involved? Maybe explain why you are interested in asking the question (if it isn't already apparent) so the questions do not appear so, err, dull ...
Respectfully
Astronaut
QUESTIONS FOR STEVE JANSEN (April 2008):
1. What kit and cymbals do you use at present?
goodness, bit of a boring question! ... TAMA (generally) and Sabian is the answer, but surely no revelation.
2. What was the thinking that made you opt to go with Thomas Feiner's contribution of lyrics and melody for what became Sow The Salt rather than the beautiful melody and intriguing lyrics that Tim Elsenburg devised for the same music (that particular composition initially being titled Amina and then later renamed White Man Hex)?
(a better question!): simply because, in my opinion, Thomas' was a superior work - (other's may disagree of course but you have to remember that after so many years of being involved in making music one's requirements from it are naturally going to differ a good deal from that of the listener). Tim did a really good job as it wasn't easy to write a vocal part around that track but I didn't feel entirely comfortable with it because it was somewhat out of his range and therefore certain weaknesses in his voice were audible. Tim actually agreed that it was pushing his range and that from an artistic standpoint his strengths were adequately featured in 'Sleepyard'.
3. Which contemporary musicians do you rate?
this guy (the drummer) is such good value!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OPWjNX4PBlI
4. Have recent developments in music (e.g. internet distribution, things like myspace etc) made things easier or harder for musicians?
easier in general but once the powers that be infiltrate the system it will no doubt become yet another platform to control the income of artists in exchange for an investment in profile. In fact, its already quite prevalent.
5. How do you feel about Britain politically now and do you think there are more or less opportunities for working-class youth now than then?
I have very little faith in politics, I'm afraid I'm way too cynical. Politics throughout my lifetime don't appear to have changed a great deal. So much is built upon promises that inevitably fall short. The media is now in a position to expose the travesties that occur and show the true colours of the characters involved in this 'sport'. The purpose of politics, it seems, is to keep things 'ticking over', maintain the country as a world player and avoid a revolution. If you look at history and determine that the culmination of any political party rule is to become voted out by it's people then it's deemed inevitable (by default) that they are going to be doing something wrong eventually. So it's a case of damage control and making the most of what being in power has to offer to the individuals involved. The class issue.... see next question:
6. Do you still think that music is the only viable cultural opportunity open to working class youth?
No. We can't blame the class system for a lack of cultural opportunity. Wealth will naturally afford more opportunity (in any given field) but that doesn't necessarily generate success. My belief is that much of the drive that generates achievement in the arts is borne of a need, which in turn may be sourced to a genetic root. In the bigger picture, we, as a species, create divisions... be they political, religious, racial or whatever - but these are the trappings of a species at war with itself while it's survival is a given. It's almost a form of stimulation. No doubt the planet will sort us out sooner or later but in the meantime it would be nice to think we could find a balance. Creativity isn't governed in any way by wealth, it is a need.
7. What would you have been doing now if you hadn't become a musician?
Who knows? I didn't have a plan-b in place so it's anyone's guess, (although, I often wish I were a cinematographer).
8. Re: Dolphin Brothers album – is it true you were dissatisfied with it’s lyrical content?
Yes, that's how I feel now but at the time I did my best and there was only a small percentage that I had a problem with.
9. How was that album assembled – were the lyrics written first or the music?
the music came first.
10. What's been your favourite collaboration so far? Who would you like to collaborate with in the future that you haven't before?
Slope is a collaboration of sorts therefore, artistically speaking, I would have to claim this along with Nine Horses as being top of my list.
best
steve j.
