100 Musicians Answer the Same 10 Questions

Part Seventy-Eight: Ben Lurie of Freeheat, Jesus and Mary Chain

instigated by dave heaton

Ben Lurie was a member of the immortal Jesus and Mary Chain for most of their last decade, starting with the Automatic tour. After that band's breakup, Lurie and Jim Reid formed the band Freeheat, whose recent debut album Back on the Water (Planting Seeds) is a loose, enjoyable, stripped-down rock n' roll romp which bears both similarities to and differences from latter-day JAMC. Check out Freeheat's website and MySpace page, and the Planting Seeds Records site.

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

I like to make a racket. I like to write meaningful lyrics. I’d like to get off my ass and make another record. These things excite me.

What aspect of making music gets you the most discouraged?

Not enough $$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$!

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

I’m very busy procrastinating about making that album I referred to.

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?

The Paradiso in Amsterdam used to be a church. They’ll tell you that when you’re there.

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?

Marginally.

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

They’re always going on in my head, never going down on tape (tape, how old fashioned). Last one I recorded was a year ago, especially for my wife. The stuff I could tell you about it would be so boring to anyone who is not me or Laila so I’ll just leave it at that.

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?

Less interested. When you’re a kid you’re a sponge, you need to listen to everything, it’s all new and exciting.

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?)

Old. Same but different.

Name a musician or band, 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 musician/band?

Gram Parsons – everybody should have a copy of his two solo records GP and Grievous Angel (they’re available on one CD so there’s no excuse). If I had to pick a stand-out track it would be $1000 Wedding.

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

"Daises of the Galaxie" by Eels.

Photo above by Eva Edsjö.

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