erasing clouds
 

100 Musicians Answer the Same 10 Questions

Part Twenty-Four: About

instigated by dave heaton

About is one Rutger Hoedemaekers of Amsterdam. His debut as About, Bongo (Cock Rock Disco) is a kick-ass human-robot hybrid, with computers leading the way into the new world. The album's filled with catchy pop songs riding a rollercoaster through the future. They're playful and idea-filled - constantly playing around with notions of rock and stardom and art - and also aggressively bounce their way into your life. For songs and other info, check out his website and Cock Rock Disco.

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What aspect of making music excites you the most right now?

Locking myself in my attic studio with no e-mail or phone, working like mad on new songs. The very essence of making music: MAKING the music.

What aspect of making music gets you the most discouraged?

The very same thing. I have a love/hate relationship with making music, as I can imagine do all artists. I might love what I just made, in a few hours I'll hate it, think it's shit, and want to re-do the whole thing. It goes up and down, but I like it.

What are you up to right now, music-wise? (Current or upcoming recordings, tours, extravaganzas, experiments, top-secret projects, etc).

Working on the next album, recording, editing, that kinda thing. Playing as much as possible too, all over Europe when I get a chance. I hope to be able to come to the US later this year, working on that right now.

What's the most unusual place you've ever played a show or made a recording? How did the qualities of that place affect the show/recording?

I once played a show on a river bank, with my equipment on somebody's kitchen door. There were no lights whatsoever, just the ones coming off big boats passing in the river. Not too unusual, right? Hey, it was a beautiful thing!

In what ways does the place where you live (or places where you have lived), affect the music you create, or your taste in music?

It really doesn't. I love where I live, which is Amsterdam, but I don't let that kind of thing influence my work. I just don't find that interesting to incorporate into the music. Sure, sometimes a piece of lyric reflects on the city, but I don't consider that inspiration. That's just a fact inside some words.

When was the last time you wrote a song? What can you tell us about it?

Uhm... last week. It happened, I wrote it. Seriously, there's not much magic involved in that, so what could I tell you? It's about stupid people listening to stupid music and reading stupid books, what a surprise! Hahaha...

As you create more music, do you find yourself getting more or less interested in seeking out and listening to new music made by other people...and why do you think that is?

I've never really been one to listen to loads of music to have it inspire me. I do love listening to load of music though, but not when I'm working on my own. It tends to influence me in the wrong way. I like a blank sheet better, and afterwards, when I'm completely sick of hearing my own song, I become a sponge that sucks up all the influences it can get!

Lately what musical periods or styles do you find yourself most drawn to as a listener? (Old or new music? Music like yours or different from yours?)

Last week I decided to go and listen to Bowie's Berlin stuff. Haven't gotten around to it yet, but I'm very interested in how he writes/wrote his songs, how he sings them, etc. More as study material I guess. Other times it can go either way. I think the new Phoenix is great, but I'm also listening to Van Dyke Parks right now.

Name a band or musician, past or present, who you flat-out LOVE and think more people should be listening to. What's one of your all-time favorite recordings by this band/musician?

Maybe not the best record ever, but brilliant for what is is and represents: In The Aeroplane Over The Sea by Neutral Milk Hotel.

What's the saddest song you've ever heard?

"Get Together" by Madonna because it's horrible. She (and her producer!) can do so much better, and still she fucks it up with this.

To check out the rest of the Q&As, click here.


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