Fera 11/12/08
Fera (Chico, CA) has recently been recording new songs and took some time to answer a few questions about himself and the future of his works.
Has your music always been solo work, or do you collaborate with others?
Until recently I've had a relatively unsuccessful musical history when it comes to working in band situations, which is kind of unfortunate because I feel that it's kind of backed me into a corner and forced me to do everything myself. I've been working a little with a couple of other people lately, but I've basically always done everything I do myself. I feel like it works better to collaborate with solo musicians because oftentimes it seems like if one's committed enough to be noticed then it means that one's committed enough to follow through with projects, although I've found that in some cases that isn't true either.
What is your typical process when writing a song?
My processes tend to match my phases. I just went through (and probably still am in) a relatively noisy phase involving electric guitar and I've basically just been constructing songs. I piece together the guitar parts and then write lyrics for them either during or after everything's done. My process has definitely changed from what it was when I was 19, though, when I'd just do what I could with a junky little tape recorder, re-recording songs and memorizing them and just letting them develop their own lives. I guess the simplest answer would be there isn't a consistent process; whatever works works, but one consistency is that when a song is written, I kind of step back and let it take a life of its own. I don't restrict anything to its original structure because nothing is more valuable than change.
Are there any artists that you look up to/enjoy listening to?
There are plenty of artists who write brilliantly; I could go all night listing them, although if you mean Chico artists there are a few who definitely stand out... Erin Lizardo, of course (or actually Erin Sarcona now), Lucas Sarcona, basically everybody in ATC (not to gush or anything)... Pat Hull and Karisha have definitely had a few brilliant moments, and Jody Nixon, too. As far as alien artists, I don't even know where to start... I'd have to say that Billy Corgan (ala Smashing Pumpkins/ Zwan) has musically influenced me more than anybody.
You seem to mix it up at your live performances (acoustic, banjo, electric), what’s the inspiration behind that?
I just mix it up for the sake of doing something else. Again, I believe that change is the most essential element of art; it's the only one that allows for both personal and creative growth. If there's anything I don't like it's doing the same thing over again, be it making the same record over again or just playing the same show over and over again. I feel that anyone who goes about things that way isn't really an artist because they're not really doing anything; they're not saying anything, and I wouldn't even say that they're really even creating anything at all because in cases like that there isn't any depth to a person's work. It's just a hollow shell. Anyway, that's beside the point..
The banjo basically only reared its head because I wrote songs specifically for that instrument and so I feel like it would be disrespectful to those songs and the instrument to never interpret them in their original contexts. The banjo feels really played out because of this Americana fever going around, so I'm kind of glad I got through my banjo phase before I was as aware of that or I'd be banging my head against a wall.
Did you grow up with music in the home?
I really don't know. I think people tried and didn't do so well. I remember my brother teaching himself the riff from Come As You Are when I was in elementary school, but that was about all he did. I guess my mother plays a little piano, but nobody in my family ever really encouraged or discouraged me from doing anything. It seems like they like what I do sometimes, and in true fan fashion they tend to like the old stuff better, but I wouldn't go so far as to actually say yes.
What draws you to write folk music?
Well, really, folk music isn't any different than any other music; you could just as easily ask me what draws me to write music at all. It's hard to explain what draws me to music. I guess one thing is that it's the only way I can really say anything at all. That sounds deep, but I mean it in a very superficial sense. I think Pat Hull got it right in some interview he did when he said that music is a lot easier than giving classes because it doesn't involve nearly as much improvisation. Anyone who's ever talked to me knows how little I talk, and it's really because I'm so bad at improvising I can't even socialize.
Second, it's a creative outlet. I don't have anything else. I have so much emotional energy bottled up in my head all the time that I can't get out and that won't let me stop thinking, and music is a way to get it out. If I channel all my love, rage, sadness and joy into my music, it helps sometimes.
What have been some musical accomplishments your proud of?
I guess I was in the CAMMIES a little while ago. I don't have the slightest clue why (especially since nobody knows who I am), but that was ok. My picture's been in the newspaper a couple of times but one apparently doesn't have to do a lot to get into the papers around here.
You’ve been recording new songs as of late, any plans for an upcoming release?
That's kind of a complicated subject. I've been recording songs for the past four years and am finally getting to a place where I can consider something like that a possibility. Until lately I haven't been able to stand listening to anything I do or even playing my songs in front of people because I've always hated all of my work. I set the bar ridiculously high for myself so when I say that a release has been four years in the making I'm really not kidding. Regardless, as I develop more and find people who help me to get more out of what I do, I feel more and more that it's becoming a possibility. Needless to say, if I ever release anything it'll be a big deal.
Anything else we should know?
"The path to truth is long, and lined the entire way by annoying bastards." - Alexander Jablokov
Check out more of Fera's music at www.myspace.com/ferasongs