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| Rick's Interview |
| Monday, 21 May 2007 | |
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Question #1: If you could rule the planet, what would you change in your first ten days as ruler?
Claude: I am not sure I would be responsible enough to do it, but ok... I would initiate a world wide vote on what the people, as a nation called "The World", would like to see happen. Then, we would get busy. Maybe a party... Question #2: Your lyrics and melodies portray stories that are very deep and have a lot of meaning. Where do you get your inspiration to write these songs? Are they usually personal or about other people? Claude: Thank you! Sometimes I observe, and that is enough. I saw a couple breaking up just before one of them got on a bus once. It broke my heart watching the girl cry. That became a feeling to be explored, even though I have felt that way too. I like relating to people. However, most of my songs are in code. I don't really know all the time. I find out later. Question #3: Do you consider yourself an idealist or a realist? And how does that affect your writing? Claude: I consider myself... Surrealist. I see the absurd in the everyday, and the everyday has much in the way of mysteries. Most people can't see this. I can. Things are always evolving, changing. I am also an optimist. When you fall, be grateful for what it teaches you. Then get up. Question #4: You often step out and reinvent your sound which is apparent during the progression of your albums. Is there something musically you would like to try but are afraid that it will not be well received by others? If so what is it? Claude: I don't think I'm afraid. I think there are boundaries that can alienate poeple. I certainly have crossed them in the past with Abox. Now I know the value of consistency. I would like to do an old, really OLD sounding blues record. I would enjoy singing that. Or Jazz, even though I don't listen to it at all. Surralist indeed. But under another moniker. Abox is forever electronic. Question #5: What is the one song that you wish that you had not written? What is your favorite song that you have written? And why? Claude: They all had their place. My favorite is equally difficult. It's a mood thing for me. But, 'World Without Love' is my favorite. I think if I died now and that was the song people defined my art by I would be ok with it. Carmen, or Heaven60... Question #6: When ever I feel alone, and the world seems dark, I find solace in the song 'Because'. How did the song come about? I know of three versions that are on: Page One, Mixology 1, and Ep One. Are there any other versions of this song? What is your favorite version? Claude: The live version is my favorite. I was very heart broken at the time, and everwhere I looked, there were only frowns. I needed to find a sad way to pick myself up. I found that song in some corner of my mind. Question #7: What is the one song written by someone else that you wish you had written? Claude: I was asked this recently and I honestly don't know. Pick a Beatle song. "I Am The Walrus" will do. Question #8: Besides music you also paint. Are your paintings inspired by the same things that inspire your music? Do you have a preference between audio and visual, or are they equal? Also, have you ever painted a picture about one of your songs, or wrote a song about one of your paintings? Claude: Painting was the competing carreer. I chose music because first because it allowed me to interact more with people. Paintngs interact with the viewer but I cannot really see what's happening. I guess I like to see the effects. On my personal level, they both inspire things from the other. I love video because of painting. I've not written a song about my paintings. But staring at them has produced an emotion, and then... Question #9: What is your favorite electronic instrument? Do you have a preference between acoustical or electronic instruments? Claude: My favorite instrument on earth is the human voice and my computer. With this, I could do anything. I prefer electronic instruments because I shape what is happening. I love acoustics in the room sense. I like atmospheres. Question #10: What usually comes first: The lyrics or the music? The rhythm or the melody? Claude: Usually music first, but not always. No formula. Question #11: The song 'Un-Reconciled' has a tremendous amount of energy and imagery in it. Can you shed some light on the story of this song? Do you enjoy creating songs such as this that are just piano and voice? Claude: I did enjoy that song. And it was inspired by... Well. "The Teardrop Collector" and '"Un-Reconciled" came about when I was in a sad mood, watched "The Twilight Zone" and the episode was called "Tear Collector". The imagery came and stayed with me. The songs followed weeks after. Question #12: What is the craziest fan story? Claude: As we sat in our dressing room in Mexico, the cealing tiles were suddenly on the floor and people popped out of the cieling. They had snuck in, and we had to hide them because there were guards with stun guns after them! And that same day, the fron doors of the stadium were broken as people entered. We have some of that on the film. Sorry, I just had to do a #13? Question #13: What is the greatest thing about all your friends/fans that have been a part of the AnythinyBox.com over the years? Claude: I have loved logging in and cheating lonelieness out of its grip. There have been nights where I understood this as something quite amazing. I wrote a song about it. "Automatons"... Screens seperate us, but we still manage to connect. That is indeed amazing. |
