After a brief hiatus, Blogcritics interviews are back. We are looking for your questions to ask Billy Martin of Medeski Martin and Wood, who has a cool new beats and scratches CD under the name "illy B Eats," entitled Drop the Needle on his own Amulet Records, as well as a deeply grooving recent MMW disc. Ask your questions in the comments section below.
We are also seeking your q's for the venerable sleazecore/industrial/disco theatrical troupe My Life With the Thrill Kill Kult, who are out on tour supporting their new career-retrospective live disc, Elektrik Inferno Live. What incriminating dirt would you like to dig from the twisted minds of Groovie Mann and Buzz McCoy? Just leave them in the comments below.
You will of course be identified with your questions. Ask away.
Article comments
1 - w0zz
Following a recent thread on the MMW mailing list, I'd be interested to get an up-to-date assessment of MMW's musical influences, past & present.
2 - Daz
Billy:
Why do you think that MMW has become so commercially sucessful? Do you attribute it to a mid-90's revival of an improvisational music market, or was it just that MMW was able to appeal to a vast audience based on your ability to blend genres?
3 - George Kanakaris
Billy,do you noticed any difference in the response from the European fans that come your shows?If i hear live-shows from MMW from the States ,the crowd is much more enthusiastic..
4 - Ben
Billy,
I'm curious about all of your cool exotic percussion instruments. How many do you currently have and where did they come from? I love when you pull out the duck call and at times, it seems that the talking drum sounds like a monkey. Keep up the good work...take care!
5 - Mike
Billy :
I am interested to know about your playing congas with the lounge lizards... what are you playing? influnced by ?
What are you listening to these days ?
Peace and Blessings
6 - Rob
Hey Billy,
A little more specifically, I'd love to hear who you would name as having the biggest influence on your playing. If not a drummer/percussionist, would you also name the drummer/percussionist that you feel has had the greatest influence on your playing? Feel free to list more than one.
As far as taping goes, do you feel that being recorded every single time you guys take the stage has any impact whatsoever on the overall live show? Chris has commented previously on the issue of recording a live performance vs. being there and experiencing the moment for what it is. What are your feelings on the subject?
Do any chemicals or organic substances play a role in the creative process of MMW, or yourself individually? If yes, which ones?
7 - Rob
Sorry for another question, but since there aren't too many others I hope you can squeeze this one in too. I'd like to know if there are any performers out there right now that you are really into. Like, who do you go see live and such?
8 - djBPM
what is the signifigance of the acoustic breakdown
at the end of most shows, and when did this tradition first begin?
What do you do with Chris and John(besides playing music) in your free time for activities and leisure?
What does uninvisible mean, how did the title come about?
Are you going to do anything with the submissions
that didn't make the cut for Drop the Needle?
Do you have any other volumes (2,3,4) for beat records planned for the future?
Jazz is Art. How does that statement take place in your life as a visual and audio artist?
complements of dj BPM
isiahcharms@yahoo.com
mixtapes and livebroadcasts
wmeb university of maine orono
91.9fm wed 10am-1pm
www.umaine.edu/wmeb
9 - Krusty
If you had to pick one, would you prefer playing structured songs over improvised jams, or vice versa?
10 - Mike
Do you have a favorite breakfast food?