Diary of an up and coming sociopath

1. Who is your favorite singer/musician? Why?
Today, I’m going to go with…Pete Vuckovic. He really seems to enjoy what he does, believe in it, he comes up with good lyrics but doesn’t let the pretentiousness get in the way too much. Also, he’s currently involved in an uphill battle to get 3CR back off the ground and I respect his drive in the face of adversity.

2. What one singer/musician can you not stand? Why?
One?! ONE?! I guess then, it’d be one gestalt entity comprising the Red Hot Chili Peppers, David Gray, Avril Lavigne, JJ72…christ, the list is near endless. All these artists share a couple of qualities, such as horribly annoying voice, shitty lyrics and over-exposure. In my opinion, of course. Your mileage may vary. [Side-steps repeat of Muse thread]

3. If your favorite singer wasn’t in the music business, do you think you would still like him/her as a person?
Almost an irrelevant question, but as it’s been disclaimed with “do you think” I can probably have a valid stab at answering it. Assuming Pete Vuckovic still wrote songs and stuff, I would say that I would still respect or admire him - however - would I like him necessarily? It’s hard to say. He has qualities that I dislike in people, but then, many people I know do. I can’t see any reason I’d like him less, shall we say? If he were not in the music industry, as in, didn’t write songs, I’m not sure I would like him, but I doubt I’d hate him. I don’t really know what he’s like as a person, so this question becomes a bit baseless.

4. Have you been to any concerts? If yes, who put on the best show?
I may have attended a few. Flip a coin and choose between 3 Colours Red at the Mean Fiddler, Placebo, or Muse at Reading 2000 or Radiohead at Shephard’s Bush. Then give me the coin you used, something that can flip in that many dimensions must be worth some serious cash.

5. What are your thoughts on downloading free music online vs. purchasing albums? Do you feel the RIAA is right in its pursuit to stop people from dowloading free music?
I think you should download an album, listen to it a few times and then buy a copy if you think it’s worth it. That’s what I did with At The Drive-In, King Adora, and many other of my favourite bands. Creating a meritocratic industry seems like a good idea to me, that way manufactured music will have a harder time selling and genuinely worthwhile music will find its niche. I think the RIAA is demonising music downloaders because it sees a failing industry that it has over-saturised and over-priced and is now desperately trying to lay the blame at someone else’s feet, even if that means the consumers. The music industry should work with, rather than against downloaders. It’ll never stop. While you can listen to music, you can pirate it. I, for one, fully intend to make it as easy as possible for other people, as well.