Jason answered pretty quickly this time.
1. If you could put together a "wet-your-pants cause it's so awesome super band" of hand picked musicians to make an album and play shows, who would you choose?
1. That's pretty tough...I would take the Smiths rhythm section, while I'm at it I might as well take Johnny Marr as well.
2. Do you keep in touch with Richard Swift? Any chance of a collaboration in the future?
2. Haven't talked to him in a while...He would be more than welcome to play on Sf any time he wants, a GREAT keyboard player.
3. On that same note, how's Jeff Cloud doing these days?
3. Haven't talked to him in a while either, he is an electrician and still runs velvet blue music.
4. Do you remember who played drums (drum machine?) on Bon Voyage - The Right Amount?
4. I had a boss drum machine at the time, not sure what model, but i did the programming for that one.
5. Some Starflyer fans are known to be a little obsessive and crazy. Have there been any fans or moments with fans that you have been a totally weirded or creeped out? If so please elaborate with a little story about the time. Thanks so much!!!!
5. Nothing too crazy, have gotten some weird fan letters that made me happy the guy didn't have my home address!
6. You have been recording, mixing, and mastering for other atists, as well as playing for Bon Voyage, Neon Horse, and with your brother. Have you ever thought about starting your own Record Label?
6. I would have no interest in starting a label, I think it would be too hard these days...I much prefer the recording side of things...get a budget, do your best and let someone else worry if it sells or not.
7. Dirk Lemmenes plays bass on "Talking Voice vs. Singing Voice", and while I love that album, I find that the bass tracks are quite simplistic and quiet in the mix. This surprises me, considering his work with Stavesacre. I've always wondered if he was simply playing what he was asked, as that may be the way that you preferred for that particular batch of songs, or if he did much improvisation?
7. I think he played on one song if I remember correctly, the rest was just low synth bass...I wanted things pretty simple, that's why on My Island I wanted alot more movement in the bass because I was bored of the record before.
8. I've always wondered about cover art and packaging. Does Tooth and Nail or Invisible Creature ask you what you're looking for, or do they come up with something and seek your approval?
8. They ask me what i'm looking for and send me a few options and we take it from there. I feel very fortunate that I have been able to work with those guys...very talented people.
9. I can't think of any Starflyer songs with Julie's vocals. Why is this? Ever thought of doing some shared vocals (like the Stars or something like that)?
9. Just never really get around to it, I think she sang on an old Sf song called Not Funny...besides, that's why we do Bon Voyage :)
10. On that note, is there any possibility of a Bon Voyage live show or tour?
10. No, that will probably never happen...their would be no one to watch our kids.
11. I can't remember his name, but I do remember talking to the guy from ABC Doc Group who funded the Leave Here a Stranger vinyl pressing. In that same vein, have you had other people approach you to fund other vinyl projects and do you like working on projects like that with others?
11. Ya, it's pretty cool, we have almost always been approached by some one to do the vinyl...The Silver Album will finally be available on vinyl sometime in the next few months, or at least so I hear...and no, I have never funded any other peoples projects.
12. I've heard that you are producing a new EP for Stavesacre. It seems you've known those guys for a long time. Do you find it easier to produce music for your friends or for people that you don't really know? Especially in terms of suggesting ideas.
12. Ya, just finished it...They are good friends of mine. As far as working with people you know vs. don't know just depends...some people "get it" meaning they look at the big picture when recording, some people don't (small picture, like put a flanger on my 4th hi hat in the third bridge, or the song will be ruined type of thing) so whether you know them or not some recordings go smoother than others.
13. I read an old interview where you said that you thought only certain people could pull off singing about their faith without it sounding out of place (or words to that effect, I can't remember the exact phrasing). In recent years you've sung about your faith more often, so I wondered what's changed? How you think Christians should approach lyrics about their faith (how do you stop it sounding cheesy or jingoistic)?
13. The older I get the more I realize nothing else really matters...I'm not really trying to be "cool" these days, and my faith in Christ has a lot to do with my songs, and what i sing about.
14. Do you have a favorite hymn?
14. Went to this church a few years back where they just did classic hymns...some really beautiful songs...unfortunately I don't really know the names of them.
15. Is
this poster a legitimate item? If so, where the heck did it come from?
15.Ive never seen that...wasn't made by us...weird.
16. Was there something in particular that inspired the new sound (acoustic guitars and keys) on Dial M?
16. I just mainly put them in there as a scratch track to lay down the foundation of the songs...thought they sounded good so I re recorded them, and there you have it.
17. With all the acoustic guitar on the new album, do you think you'd ever use one in shows?
18 . That sounds like a good idea...would be nice.
18. All of your albums in the past decade have had ten songs, or fewer. Most clock in at just a bit over 30 minutes. Why the brevity?
18. I have always liked shorter albums, seems like they were easier to fully listen to and not get that tired of...I just don't really see the point of a 60 minute record.
i don't really want to hear any band for that long, especially Starflyer
19. What do you think about pitch correction?
19. Not really into it...Would rather just hear the singer sounding like the singer
20. Did you have much input on the mastering of Dial M? It seems to be mastered pretty loud and in-your-face (as many albums do these days). What made you decide to have it mastered by a 3rd party rather than do it yourself?
20. Ya, I think it sounds really good...The loudest point of any song hits 0...pretty normal...As far as mastering my own album, I would rather get some different ears on the project, after a month of recording etc I need a break from the process.
21. The video for "No New Kinda Story" looks like an homage to The Seventh Seal. Are you a big fan of films?
21. Have never seen them...My only rule for a starflyer video is I don't wanna be in it :)
22. Some fans have said they don't consider I Am The Portuguese Blues to be a Starflyer record since it was originally intended for a side project. How do you feel about this record? Are you happy with it being in the Starflyer catalog?
22. It's a record to me..It was going to be the album after Americana, but I was tired of distorted guitar music at the time...But I really like a few songs on it
23. Why did you change the song title "God Forbid" to "The Brightest of the Head"? Was it a last minute change? (The album art on display at Invisible Creature's website still has "God Forbid" even.)
23. Didn't want to come off too crass...I have enough to answer for on judgement day, didn't want to add that in there as well.
And one thing that I'm personally wondering: My vinyl Dial M LP from Burnt Toast tells me that the bonus song is named "Majic", but iTunes says the title is "Magic" spelled normally. Which of these is the proper title? I really really really like the song, by the way.
24. To be honest, I never noticed...not too sure.
Speaking of which, one dude from the forum said this: "Not a question but a comment. Listening to "Magic" made me phone my dad just to talk. We have a great relationship, just far away from each other, but listening to it reminded me that he won't be around forever and I wanted to take advantage of calling him while I can. Thanks for the great, meaningful song!"
Thank you very much for your time. I hope you have a great Thanksgiving.
That's really cool. Thanks for the questions, and have a happy thanksgiving.
Jason
