Last - but by no means least
- in our series of questions for the ex-members - I have just had an email from Mr Barbieri himself
Here's what he said...
1. Which contemporary artists do you like?
I haven't heard anything entirely new that has blown me away, but artists like Radiohead, Bjork, NIN, Boards of Canada and Aphex Twin are still making ambitious music.
2. Does the Internet make it harder or easier for niche musicians?
For niche artists that have even a small loyal fanbase, the internet has been a positive thing because by taking out the middle man (record companies) it's now possible to fund a musical career even with quite modest sales since the overheads are low.
However the general trend is that people feel music should be free and available to download, which is a big problem at the moment for mainstream artists who have relied so heavily on record company marketing, but this will probably filter down to more alternative music. Many artists now give away the albums for free in order to promote the live shows which is where they make make their money.
I think the big corporations will start to influence the net more and we could see a change for the worse for independent artists.
3. We've read that you and the other former Japan members felt music was one of a few limited career paths for working class kids, do you still feel that's true today?
I have to say I didn't really think about that at the time. We weren't privileged and our father's occupations were plasterer, waiter and butcher, so I guess we were working class.
I just wanted to be involved in music and we have all made sacrifices over the years to remain involved to this day. I would think the working class would struggle rather more to get ahead in music today. You wouldn't suspect at first but most popular bands and artists are from middle class backgrounds, public / grammar school or have some showbiz connection within the family, however much they try to play the "cockney geezer"
4. What do you think you would be doing if you weren't a musician?
Animal Welfare.
5. Is there any truth in the rumour about an anthology of your work coming out? (Please say yes!)
There was talk of it, but better option below.
6. Any chance of another solo album? (You know it makes sense!!!)
Yes, just finished recording. Steve J is now mixing it for me. Should be out in late September on K Scope (Snapper Records)
Is the fact that it took you a while to release Things Buried due to you preferring to work with others? (By which I mean you were a quarter of Japan and are now a quarter of Porcupine Tree, compared to Mick Karn, for example, who has done so much solo work.)
Yes, I prefer working with others than alone and maybe my work is more interesting in the context of collaboration than as a solo artist.
Working alone without feedback from others is difficult I find. I always try to at least let someone else mix the material because I know they will approach it differently and rekindle my interest in the work.
7. In retrospect, how do you feel about the Dolphin Brothers album? Were the lyrics written first, or the music?
In most cases the music was written first.
I think the album has dated quite badly and the sound is firmly stuck there in the 80's. I do still enjoy the Title track and "My Winter" though which sound more timeless.
8. What was the experience of collaborating and touring with No-Man like?
It was very brief really, a few recordings and a handful of gigs. The important part of it was Tim and Steven's enthusiasm for all kinds of music which rubbed off on me and reminded me of the feeling I had in the 70's when music was everything for me.
As a result I continued to work with both Tim and Steven and fortunately my love of music has never become jaded since then.
9. We know your family are originally from Milan and you've said your Italian is not great, but were you brought up in a bilingual environment?
No, my Mum was English and she didn't speak Italian. Since we were living here, it was English all the time.
My sister was fluent in Italian after years of living in Rome.
10. Was there any production 'tweaking' on the track The Wilderness between its appearance on Beginning To Melt and subsequently on the Indigo Falls album? (I'm sure I can hear a difference!)
Not that I'm aware of. It would've been re mastered, so you are probably hearing the difference that made.
...And finally, in reply to me saying that I hoped he would enjoy it in Australia, he said; "It was good. 3 great shows, constant jet lag and no time to cuddle a Koala Bear."
So, I'm a very happy little fishie tonight... and I would just like to thank Richard again here, for taking the time to do this. He is fabulous!
Natasha
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BTW: interesting how Richard and Mick's views about the usefulness of the internet are so different ... ...
