The Airborne Toxic Event
Sunday, September 20th
2:00PM - 2:45PM
Interview with Lead Singer and Guitarist Mikel Jollet
T.A.T.E. was a result of a terrible time in your life. Can a good record come as the result of overwhelming joy and happiness? What examples can you cite, and if none, why not? Are we ruled, as consumers and musicians, by a morbid curiosity of suffering?
First off, yes, I think there are a number of positive artists you could name: a lot of John Lennon's solo stuff is joyful, and smart. Paul Simon is another one. He finds a happy place, sings about being kids, just really great songs. Morbid curiosity goes back to Greek tragedy, that desire to see the downfall of others, to get a sense that you're not the only person who suffers. Happiness is a great feeling, but it doesn't make for great storytelling. Storytelling mostly uses reciprocity and conflict to be effective. People are terrible; we're these smart monkeys trying to tear everything and everyone down. We plot and scheme and everyone seems motivated by more base things. It's a desire to escape regret, this sense of depravity, but there's also inspiration and joy and wonder. It's a relief when you see these traits in others.
Why are classical string instruments essential to T.A.T.E.'s sound? You incorporated them from the beginning; do they provide an element of necessary emotion, of reflective remove, or is it more a balance issue, that you want your musical product to be diverse and comprehensive?
Some stuff is a gut thing. I hear something and just like the way it sounds. I've written songs that are all horns, some all guitars, some electro, whatever. We're audio whores, we like whatever sounds good. Strings on the first record bring to mind theatrical storytelling. Something swings or it doesn't; strings were swinging. I always knew I wanted them.
Your most popular song, 'Sometime Around Midnight', is a slow build up, an ongoing preparation, that builds up to a singular, defining event (like many songs, I suppose). So many aspects of life are like this; sex, Thanksgiving dinner, schooling and education, pregnancy and childbrith. As a musician, as a band, how do you recognize the journey vs. the climax? When do you look at yourselves and say, "This is it!"?
Good question. Relationships and sex are a series of climaxes. There is no one thing we're aiming for as a band. We started out, and wanted to know who liked the songs who weren't friends and family. That was my goal. The thing kind of grew, though we didn't expect it to. There is no real climax, but the journey is really important to us, how we conduct ourselves, that sort of thing. It's hard to maintain a balance in this business. When you're living like this, it's essential to maintain friendships, keep each other grounded, enjoy the journey and each other's company, and spend time on how to be good friends. It's much better to tour around the world with friends than feel like it's just a job.
Multiple Choice:
The Airborne Toxic Event smells most like:
1-Patchoulli
2-Leather
3-A new Car
4-The Sex Pistols
3 and 4. We're new, and we feel like an orchestra meeting a punk band. We like to talk to fans, and enjoy that element of getting lost in the moment.
Fill in the blanks:
If you want to get properly rocked, go to a show where T.A.T.E. is opening for __________. After the show backstage, make sure to bring your camera so you can take a picture of Mikel Jollett making out with ________.
Pink Floyd, The Wall
T.A.T.E. evokes images of death and destruction. How do you see the Apocalypse going down?
I'm hopeful about there not being one. I feel good about people avoiding it. The kind of power you need to destroy planet, I think our collective power has faith in general ideas, and those ideas are generally positive. I don't think there will be an apocalypse. People in general are interested in self preservation. I'm simple and stupid. I just want to be fed and I'll happy.
Word association: What thoughts come to mind when you hear the following?
Dating- Horror. Permanent fart hole. The whole idea is ridiculous and I don't like it. I don't like the formality and ritualistic nature of it, sitting around waiting for people to bring you food.
Government- Wasteful bureaucracy. Since Obama has been in office I've been thinking a lot about it. There are a lot of protections that people take for granted. The government is like satisfactory step parents, but it's not gonna do everything for you.
Hunger- Thirst. Balance between satiation and need to remain hungry. A lot of life is predicated on various types of hunger.
Family- Love, hope, connection, happiness, home. I value it more than anything.
You have been a freelance writer. What are the major differences and major similarities between music and writing as forms of self expression?
They both are important. Almost every major life change I have undergone is predicated on a book I have read, but you never love anything the way you love a song. There is nothing like that. Music is much more social, much more present oriented, but reading engages the mind on a different level. Kurt Vonnegut explains it like a Buddhist cat nap. It bypasses a lot of thinking and goes directly into memory. Writing is much more solitary, music is much more social.
