Mack Duncan
The improviser, filmmaker, puppeteer, teacher, co-founder of The Torch Theatre and creator of the web series Vincent and Me helped organize the Phoenix Improv Festival this weekend at the Herberger Theater.
When you put your key in the ignition and turn on the radio, what station would play right now? My radio suddenly stopped working around 2 or 3 years ago. When it was working, it was on Mix 96.9-FM. That selection may change, however, if they actually hire Bristol Palin.
What's the last song played on your portal music player? "100 Years" by Five for Fighting.
What's the first record you bought? When I was 7 I bought an album of Sesame Street monster songs. Bought it through one of those elementary school book fairs.
What's the first concert you saw? Billy Joel's The Bridge tour in 1987. Went with my brother. The Phoenix appearance was at ASU's basketball arena. Every other time I would see Billy Joel live would be at America West Arena/US Airways Center.
What's your favorite concert you've ever been to? Billy Joel and Elton John Face 2 Face tour, 2009. My fifth time seeing Billy Joel live, first time seeing Elton John. Have to say, Sir Elton in his 60's still loves an audience.
Preferred format: CD, vinyl, cassette, 8-Track or digital? I've come to appreciate the convenience and clarity of digital. I appreciate what people hear in vinyl, but I don't go out of my way for it.
What's your favorite CD? The sound track to Pulp Fiction. As a testosterone burdened 21-year-old in the early 90's, the aggressive nature of Quentin Tarantino's earlier work seemed to connect with me, and that album (along with Reservoir Dogs) was played frequently.
Who is your favorite singer or band? Billy Joel, as evident from my concert answers. There are days, though, when I prefer They Might Be Giants.
Does you computer track how many times you've played something -- if so, what's at the top of the list? Journey's "Don't Stop Believin'." Let me make this perfectly clear...it's Journey's version... not Glee!
What was your favorite new or new-to-you album from 2010? Got to Fly by Marian Call. I actually found Marian on Twitter through a TweetDeck recommendation. Curious as to who this "geeky indie-pop-folk singer songwriter from Alaska" was, I followed the link to her web site. After listening to her song "Nerd Anthem" (in which the instrument she plays is a typewriter, by the way) I fell in love with her music. I immediately downloaded three albums on Twitter. Unfortunately, I just missed her Arizon stop on her 50-state tour (she did a concert by a swimming pool in a fan's back yard in Chandler). She's still down-to-earth enough to follow all of her fans on Twitter and interact with each of them directly. She thanked me personally when I downloaded her music.
What one song would you play if you had a world-wide radio audience? "For Now!", the finale to Avenue Q.
Who is your favorite local artist? Fatigo.
What is your favorite local venue to see music? The Paper Heart was great for bands when it was around. I think the open air venue of The Fire House's Firestage is my favorite music location. I've seen some pretty awesome musicians there.
What is your favorite music video? Have to go old school on this--I mean really old school--The Sorcerer's Apprentice segment in Fantasia.
