PASSPORT : INTODOWN
Intodown - Brave New World
Aldous Huxley. Roky Erikson & 13th Floor Elevators. Nostradamus. En zinnen als:
Some say the world will end in fire
Some say in ice
Natuurlijk kiest Michael Clark voor het vuur. De Man van Texas & zijn Mannen van Dienst (drums, bas, trompet en, hoe wonderlijk, flurbatron) hebben nogal wat door elkaar gehusseld. Psychedelica, spacerock, blues, stoner (een vleugje) en surf. Het gaat van Dick Dale naar Peter Green en via de zo bedrieglijk trage aanslag van B.B. King weer terug. Zelfs een momentje Calexico ontbreekt niet. Het zou ons niets verbazen als de heren ook rook in het hoofd hebben want de muzikale beelden die ons hier worden voorgeschoteld zijn zeer, eh, mindstrechend… Wie er meer over wil weten leze het interview met Michael Clark op de site over de naam van de band. intodown. Met Clark mee het konijnenhol in. Enfin, hoe het ook zij, hij speelt behoorlijk gitaar, deze Michael Clark. Niet zozeer virtuoos (al staat hij, net als de band, technisch echt zijn mannetje wel) als wel met diep gevoel, een zekere lyriek en fraaie timing. In Elevator gebruikt hij een tekst van de 13th Floor Elevators en hier en daar zegtzingt hij wat. Verder is het album, op een enkele gesproken tekst na, woordloos. Zo halverwege valt de spanning wat weg wanneer een lichte eenvormigheid haar intrede doet. Daardoor is voor Brave New World het woord onderhoudend op z’n plaats. Terwijl het toch bijzonder blijft. Dat is knap. (Wim Boluijt)
1. What’s in the name/what’s in the title?
There are times when playing music opens the door to another dimension, to another world. It’s a world of sonic ecstasy. No rules. No judgements. Just existing in the flow of a great, powerful energy. A trance state of sorts. Free. The state I call, “down.”
My goal is to find my way into down. And, to hold the door open for those who wish to enter.
Hence, intodown.
2. What’s your first musical memory?
Sitting on the piano bench next to my Mother as she played Beethoven’s, Moonlight Sonata.
3. First cd/lp you bought?
Meet The Beatles
4. At which moment did you decide that your music had to be heard?
After listening to Bitch’s Brew by Miles Davis (particularity Pharos Dance) and reading about how he recorded the tracks. Then, I read an interview with Miles where he expressed the importance of finding one’s musical voice – discovering oneself through exploring the sonic. It was like Miles Davis was visiting me – talking to me. This information related to the revelations that happened to me while seeing the 13th Floor Elevators, and later, Jimi Hendrix. Everyone was pointing the same direction and saying the same thing. I decided to follow their advice!
5. What is the biggest musical step you took so far?
The release of my new record, Brave New World. It’s sort of a combination of All emotions, All at once. As an artist, you put yourself out there. You display yourself. Exposed. Naked. For all to see. No excuses. There’s no going back. You open yourself to extreme ridicule and omnipotent praise. You’re the clown and the hero. A God to some and the Devil to others. I like the energy of being in that place.
6. You won a contest. First prize is: a master class in song writing and you can choose the teacher. Who would you ask and what should the lesson be about?
A very cool question. My answer will vary depending on the day, but today I must say, Thelonious Monk. From the musical aspect, I would ask him about key modulations, especially those not involving a dominant 7th or leading tone. But, I most want to know how he composed, the thought process, what he heard, what he felt, why he decided to use this or that chord, what problems he encountered, where he got stuck, and how he got out of it. And, I want to look into his soul. The soul that gave us ‘Round Midnight’.
7. Best concert you ever saw?
The third time I saw Jimi Hendrix. Mitch Mitchell on drums and Billy Cox on bass. He was so incredible that night that I was in shock. Speechless. Numb. I barely knew where I was.
When the concert was over, I remember walking out of the arena with the rest of the crowd. A lot of people were saying that he just wasn’t what he “used” to be. What they were referring to is the fact that he didn’t do much performing that night. No guitar between the legs, no guitar behind the back. He just played the guitar, and was beyond incredible. Funny the limits people impose on themselves disguised as expectation.
8. Who of your musical friends is going to change the world? And how?
None of them. People will have to learn how to listen first.
9. It’s the end of the world and everybody knows it and they ask you to sing one more song for the whole wide world ! Which one are going to pick?
Well, it’s too late for Imagine by John Lennon! So, I will play for them my version of Rumble by Link Wray. Rumble is such a great song for the end of the world!
10. What’s up for the next couple of months?
Well, several things. I am going to spend some time in the desert in south Texas. I have an appointment with the spirit guides.
I’m also composing and producing the new record. Actually, 2 new records. Perhaps I will release it as a double cd.
I’m going to get more active in playing live again. I want to bring the intodown experience to those cities where the record has done well. So, I’m looking for the right rhythm section now. And, I would like to play some European shows if all the logistics can get worked out.
Lastly, I’m getting more requests from bands to produce their records and/or to add my guitar stuff to some projects. So, I may take on one of the projects. Haven’t decided.
