Featured Artist: Andrew W.K.
Friday 3/26 - Midnight @ The Square Room
W/ Calder Quartet
"The body will always figure out a way to do what the mind wants to do"
Andrew W.K. wears a lot of hats.
He produces other artists records. He gives self-help speeches. He writes books. He works on TV shows. And oh yeah, hes a pretty darn good musician. But after a single conversation, its easy to realize that more than anything, W.K. is an easy going, fun-loving and credit-distributing entertainer. He started playing piano when he was four and a half. By thirteen, he had picked up the bass, drums and guitar.
The term genre-bending is a far overused term within critical music reviews. W.K.s catalogue is of the few that actually warrant that phrase. Blank was able to catch up with the composer/party rocker for a few questions about his performance at BIG EARS and how he has made a name for himself.
Blank: It looks like youll be playing alongside some great musicians at BIG EARS. I know youve collaborated with the Calder Quartet recently, but how did that come about?
AWK: It was a miracle. The first time that I met them we talked about playing together, but I couldnt believe that this real, legitimate string quartet would even risk associating themselves with me at all, let alone play my songs with me. It was really shocking and so moving that this group of very advanced, very esteemed musicians, who work in an area of the music business where there are rules and there are these traditions that if you dont follow them you can damage your career, wanted to play with me. Its a whole different world for classical music. Its just so scholarly and academic. We hit it off because the Calder Quartet respects that side of their field, but they also love going against those rules. They like doing things that people dont think they should do and showing people that there is excitement to be found doing different kinds of performances. That to me is so inspiring because it reminds me that music can be enjoyed in all these different ways. Why limit ourselves to saying, "Well, I only like this kind of music?" or "I only play with this type of musician?"
Its such a privilege to get to play with musicians of that level. They really bring you up. My playing as a pianist has improved just by being around good musicians. Its like playing tennis with someone who is way better than you, it rubs off on you. Mainly Im just very thankful to them and to the universe for allowing a bloody-nosed, long-haired rocker to play with them.
Blank: What sort of expectations do you have about BIG EARS, or have you done enough of these things that you know not to expect anything?
AWK: I expect to have fun. Its an amazing group of people. I doubt well have a hard time enjoying ourselves. Its just a diverse lineup. Theres all different kinds of musicians, which is what drew me to it. When I found out I would be performing with the Calder Quartet, I was wondering if it was going to be more of a classical festival. But then I see all kinds of rock bands and bands who I dont even know how to define their music. I think this is a really special festival in that way. I love the way that they have been able to put together such an undeniably interesting lineup that at the same time, you cant really figure out. There are obviously heavy metal festivals or jazz festivals, you know, but I dont know what youd call this one.
Blank: Your music has been classified in dozens of ways. How do you like your music described? What makes you feel good when you hear or read something about yourself?
AWK: I used to get really hung up when people would try to pigeonhole it as rock music. I dont know why, because obviously I love rock music...as far as the style and instrumentation I have committed to rock, but when I was younger I didnt find it helpful to figure out what genre a certain type of music is in. But, now I understand that it is okay to have genres because it acts as an index or a way to locate something. All food is food, but if Im having a craving for a Chinese food, I know I can get a good soy sauce flavor. So I dont mind having it classified, but at the end of the day, its all just music. Im very comfortable now with people calling my music RocknRoll because that style really works with me. I think its funny, when maybe some older people that havent listened to that much rock call my music heavy metal. Out of respect for heavy metal, I wouldnt call myself a heavy metal act. People have called it the musical equivalent of a drug, or life-affirming and those have always been nice for me to hear. I want people to get this amazing physical feeling of fullness.
Blank: Musicians have always used their talents as a form of self expression. But you are especially effective at making people have fun. Is that the main goal with your music?
AWK: Thats definitely at the heart and core of all of this. So yes, (encouraging people to have fun) is my main focus. Im going to try to find as many different methods as I can to help create that feeling me and for other people. First and foremost, I cant make people feel good. They have to want to do it and they have to agree to do it. They have to put the effort in, but they also have to find that within the music. The audience has the power to give meaning to that artists work. When someone feels good because of this music, its a great feeling and it makes me more excited, and then I have more energy to do even more. We support each other in that way. The style I chose to go with is one of excitement and happiness and possibility. Its amazing, because I have fun all day because of it, and thats not something I anticipated.
Blank: You helped redo The Simpsons theme song. Was that one of the cooler projects youve been involved with? How did that come about?
AWK: Yes, it was unbelievable. Even after we recorded it, I was like, "Okay, Ill believe this when I see it." It seemed so crazy that THE Simpsons were going to include me in their show. That is an extremely challenging piece, (he said as he intricately sounded out about 10 seconds of the jingle without flaw). Luckily they gave me a part I can handle. I would be amazed to hear someone play that on the piano. There is so much going on...Very intense piece.
Blank: Some of your music is classically influenced, and then some of your music is extremely raucous and wild. It seems like that appeals to two different crowds of people. It takes a lot of confidence and freedom to be able to pull that off without losing anyone. How do you keep your audiences from drawing a line in the sand?
AWK: Hmm...Well you just hope that people are open to a mixture of different things. I guess there are some who like the variety I create. But also, if you have too much variety, you dont satisfy those people who like a certain thing. Its a balance. I just try to think about what I appreciate out of performers. What do I like about shows, what I do not like...I like seeing entertainers doing stuff that theyre not supposed to do. I want them to put it on the line when Im an audience member and thats kinda what I enjoy most when Im on stage.
Blank: Do you feel like youve turned people on to classical piano who might not have appreciated it if youre sound wasnt so energetic and fun?
AWK: That would be amazing. The Calder String Quartet and I just did a whole tour together, and we definitely ran into people who had never seen hard rock music played live. More often though, there were people who had seen me play but hadnt seen a classical show. Not only did they get to see traditional classical music, but they got to see the 20th century classical compositions that are pretty far out. They are a lot more like rock music in that they push the boundaries. When you listen to classical, you realize that its just like any other kind of music. Its chord changes, melody and rhythm just like all music. You could play it on any instrument and it would still have that same kind of power.
Blank: When you broke your foot on stage a few years ago, was there ever a thought of cancelling the rest of the tour? Playing from a wheelchair is one of the most humble things a musician has done in some time. The fans would have certainly understood, but you went on anyways.
AWK: We were playing a show in Hollywood, California and I got tangled up. There was definitely a thought to cancel the tour because that was the first night of a two month tour. And we had been touring almost non stop for three years at that point anyway. When it happened we went to the hospital and they said it was going to take six months to recover and I couldnt believe it. I had never broken a bone before, and to have it be my foot which has so much to do with mobility was devastating. The next day we were going to Japan for two weeks, so after sitting there in the emergency room for a few minutes, it became clear that my voice wasnt connected to my foot and I could still play piano. At first I was just walking around on crutches, but I realized that if I could sit down then I could still head-bang and that was when I realized I needed a wheelchair. This was the first time I had ever been disabled in any way, so it was also a real eye opener for people who live their lives in wheelchairs. We ended up doing the whole tour and everything was fine. People were very supportive. I had so much energy, I almost thought I should start performing from a wheelchair all the time.
Blank: Thats great.
AWK: The most interesting part of the whole experience was when we got an offer to play live at the Spike Video Game Awards in Las Vegas. When we showed up for soundcheck they were horrified when they saw that I was walking around on crutches. There were some producers that said that I couldnt go on like that and I was so outraged. There was this belief that people in wheelchairs werent supposed to be on stage. And then it hit me. Why arent there more people with disabilities in the arts? Is there really that big of a stigma about it? I had never thought about that, and it became a big deal. Everyone was so angry with me, and I was the one in the wheelchair. The concern was all about the way it looked. But in the end, they let us do it, and the most satisfying part was after the show when all the producers came up and said, "Were so sorry, I dont know what we were thinking, that was an incredible performance." They realized that it was an amazing moment for anybody who has ever been in a wheelchair. That was one of my greatest moments. When we opened our club, Santos Party House, in New York City we went out of our way to make sure that it was wheelchair accessible as much as we possibly could and we quickly realized how challenging that is. Everybody should be able to participate if they have what it takes to participate. If you can sing, then it shouldnt matter if you cant stand. Noone would mind and it would probably be more powerful for someone to be willing to challenge that type of adversity.
Blank: Youve produced, written books, working in TV and exhibited several other forms of artistic expression. Which do you enjoy doing most or is it kind of the whole grouping of them all that makes you happy?
AWK: To me its not that much of a variety. People ask me if I ever get overwhelmed. They say, "One day youre doing TV, the next day youre producing a reggae artist, the next day youre recording your own album, the next day youre doing self-help lectures, then a Japanese book..." If you look at all these things, they are all entertainment. That has made it very manageable. The only times I ever felt stressed out was when I was doing something I didnt want to do. Im just doing the stuff that I like to do.
Blank: What is Santos Party House and how has opening your own venue changed your opinion of the business world?
AWK: This is really the biggest project Ive ever been involved in. New York City is the most challenging place to open a business because there is so much already here. The city makes it difficult intentionally to develop this work ethic that will help ensure that the business will last. For three years, I stopped touring full time just so I could focus on this. After playing in venues all around the world, this was such a dream come true to open our own place where bands could play and this was a way for me to give back to New York, which has given so much to me. We started this place from scratch, we didnt just take over another club in the space. We got a virgin space and turned it into a club and that hasnt happened downtown in New York in 30 years. We got about 7,000 signatures on a petition from people in the neighborhood saying that they wanted it to be there. There is a core group of six people and those people are my best friends. Weve been through so much together. Now all these other things that I work on seem like nothing.
Blank: Who do you enjoy listening to these days?
AWK: I enjoy all types of music. Over the last ten years, Ive been most excited about heavy metal music and rap. They are just endlessly fascinating. I cant believe that I get to be alive when there is so much amazing music being made. The spirit of a lot of the rap music hits me in this place...its the way I wanna feel when I listen to music. I dont wanna be comforted or soothed by music. 99% of the time I want to have my mind blown by music. There are certain kinds of rap music that are designed to do that certain thing. I want that feeling that makes you want to go out of the house and do something.
Blank: Have any favorites in the rap game?
AWK: An artist like Soulja Boy, I hear a song and it makes me happy to be alive. Its like hes been put on this earth to tap into that. It is so rhythmic, so musical, and he gets flack because some people say that his lyrics arent telling a story, but theres all different kinds of reasons to listen to music. Some people listen to music like theyre reading a book, and some people dont care about the words, but it feels good to hear his music. I think he has tapped into the heart of joy that some people dont have access to. If it feels good, then thats it.
Blank: Youve done work all over the world. Do you have a favorite place on the globe?
AWK: Its really hard to pick favorites when you like so many different things. Its just for novelty to put numbers on things, but thats also fun. Its cool to list the top 500 albums of all time or the top 50 music videos, but at the end of the day its completely absurd to order things unless its just for fun. How could I pick Tokyo over Mexico City? The qualities that set them apart are what makes them so special. So I generally dont make lists. But that is what makes the fact that I have a favorite city a big deal. Its New York. It took me many years to feel like I could say that. To me, New York City IS the world. Almost all cultures are represented here. I feel like Im on planet Earth all at once when Im here. I can totally understand why some people dont enjoy it here, but if youre going to live in a city, this is the city. People that you wouldnt expect to like New York love it. Its such an achievement that it exists. I moved here and all my dreams came true, so how could I not feel this way about this city.
Blank: What can fans and new listeners look forward to on your new release(s)?
AWK: Theyre both kinda lost albums. The first one is called "Close Calls with Brick Walls." It was my third album, but it wasnt released anywhere but Asia in 2006. For this release were taking all of the bonus tracks on one definitive version of the album. But there were too many tracks to put on one disk, so we broke it up into two discs. The second disc is called "Mother of Mankind." Thats all rare and unreleased in the states. The most exciting and the most scary part is putting all these songs that I never let anybody hear on the album. My closest friends would come over and I would play it for them, but I never thought they would be released. In the spirit of trying to contradict myself, I want to put myself in that vulnerable state. Its a good way to tide over some of my fans while I record my brand new album. There are some songs with full-on guitar solos, songs without any guitar at all, songs with very layered orchestrations. I just want to see what people think. Im really curious.
Blank: Whats next and how can people keep up with you?
AWK: Over the last five years, Ive been really glad to stretch out and expand who I was. Were playing our first full band show in almost six years coming up in New York. That will start a huge wave of shows, which includes South by Southwest and the Warped Tour. I imagine well do another full tour with the new album in the fall or winter.
By Rusty Odom
Thanks to Andrew W.K., a genuinely good person. Follow him on twitter at www.twitter.com/Andrewwk
