How do you feel when somebody takes a genuine interest in your hobbies, health or family?  Good.  You feel GOOD.  You like the neighbor who drops you a Christmas card and remembers your dog’s name.  She’s the neighbor who asks “how was your weekend?” and when you answer “Good. We went to the cabin.”  She asks “where is your cabin? that sounds like fun” in such a way that shows interest.  It makes you feel good because it’s about you.   Your neighbour asks for more depth (where is the cabin?) and is starting a great interview.  This is how you should start your interviews – with the goal of making your subject feel wanted and important;  because they are.

Becoming a master interviewer starts with remembering that it’s not about you.  Your guest’s story is what counts and it’s your job to get it from them.  Ivor Shapiro writes in The Bigger Picture, “Every interview should be an exploration for interesting, factual, informative, and visual detail.  It is not simply a question-and-answer exchange…when done well, it involves getting to the heart of an issue and to the very soul of a person.”  (Shapiro, 2011, p.136)

Now that you’re ready to focus on your subject and their story, it’s time to do some research.  Read the wikipedia page, surf their website and social media hubs, then dig deeper.

Read the liner notes.  Look at the lyrics.   Ask around about their last visit to the city.  Get creative. Why start every interview the rest of your career with a blank Microsoft word page and the thought “alright…what shall I ask Mr. So-and-So?”

A master or emergency list of questions is a great tool to have at arms-reach.  Not every question needs to apply to every person, but it a great jumping off point.

To get you started, here’s the most rewarding question I have ever asked a musician in my 12 year media career:

What were you doing when you first heard your music on the radio?

I asked Tom Cochrane that question once and the answer was a thing of beauty.  I must have played the 25 second soundbite he gave me that day 50 times in my life; I still have the clip on cd.  His answer was something along the lines of:

It was the middle of the night.  We were driving from tour-stop to tour-stop somewhere outside of Winnipeg.  It was the middle of the night.  It was the dead of winter.  Our van didn’t have heat.  It was my turn to drive and the rest of the guys were sleeping.  When all of the sudden “White Hot” came on the radio.

Tom tells the story much better (ask him some day if you get the chance) but the details he provided and the passion in his voice were sharp as a knife. I felt like he was answering the question for the first time in his life, and maybe he was.

The one bright spot to setting up in a new location is organizing my cds.  I have to admit: I dig that.  I could spend hours reviewing, reliving and refiling my discs.  Everything on the 2nd shelf is unorganized, everything on the 3rd shelf is in alphabetical order.

As soon as I’m done putting away those cds, I’m gonna drink that scotch.

Random Notes:

-The album is 10 tracks and only 39 minutes.  Before you think you’re getting cheated at the till, hear this:  there isn’t a wasted track or a single underdeveloped idea on the record.  It’s complete and potent in it’s current state.

1.   Underground – After a 5 second drone…Perry’s sings one sentence before the band explodes behind him.  BOOM!  The cyclical and rhythmic guitar drives the 3 minute track that sets the table nicely for what’s to come.  Cool Lyric:  ”I try and get some love from up high/there just ain’t enough to go around.”

2.     End to The lies – It starts by slinking into your ear, unassuming with a hint of sinister.  Then when it’s too late; uh-ho.  Structurally it’s progressive, challenging the listener to pay attention.  At the 1:11 mark Dave’s guitar thunders into the spotlight but doesn’t steal the show  - and it’s amost too bad - because it’s a brilliant Navarro lick that could drive the song.  Cool Lyric:  ”You talk about me so much that I think that you’re in love with me/Yeah you do it’s true man you’re busted.”

3.   Curiosity Kills – The piano and drum parts on this track almost tango with each other.  The two different sounds have moments of complexity and simplicity that subtly steal the show.

4.   Irresistible Force – This song IS Jane’s Addiction.  The structure, sound, attitude and delivery are what “alternative music” built on.  They’ve found a way to develop and grow as a band after nearly 25 years.  This song is “Exhibit A” in my defence that Jane’s Addiction are still a relevant, powerful, alternative rock band.

5.   I’ll Hit You Back – It’s tough being the better man.  This song is about giving in to your dark desire to abandon the high-road for some old fashioned voilence.

6.   Twisted Tales – This could be the best song on the album.  The chorus is beautifully simple and sweet. It’s the “less is more” idea lived out musically.

7.   Ultimate Reason – Is one “D.Mckagan” gets a writing credit on this song.  The same Duff Mckagan of Guns n Roses and Velvet Revolver fame.  He was in the band for about six months before he and Jane’s Addiction parted ways based on musical differences.  While it doesn’t sound much different from the rest of the record, Ultimate Reason (and a the other Mckagan tunes) do have a different flavour.

8.   Splash a Little Water On It – This is as close to a ballad as the band gets.  Slower and more delicate than the rest, the lyrics tackle the rock and roll lifestyle that rock and rollers can handle, but their loved ones cannot.  Cool Lyric:  ”I didn’t want to wake you up, you looked so peaceful, I left some water in the cup by the stand, I’ll call you later.”

9.   Broken People – Starting slow and building towards a sonic explosion that never happens, Broken People never quite realizes its potential.  Another of the Mckagan co-writes that, to me, lacks the same precision and purpose of the rest of the songs on the album.

10.  Words Right Out Of My Mouth – Instead of ending on a mediocre , mid-tempo jam, Jane’s caps the Great Escape Artist with a pounding ass-kicker.  The song’s intro features a dialogue between Perry Farrell and D. Joe Adams.  I’m not sure if Joe Adams is a “Dr. Pepper” kind of doctor or a real doctor, but the short recording could be part of a therapy session.  It’s a creepy and honest sounding exchange.

The entire album is acoustic, with Ryan’s voice up-front…but still shrouded in some mystery (like he does).  Lyrically, he’s never been more powerful.  Many songs feature progressively written verses or choruses .  That is, the first line in verse A will start with “last night” and verse B will start with “two nights ago”.  I like that.

Here is a track by track review of the album.

1.   Dirty Rain – Starts slow…ends with passion.  Love the dusting of piano.  A fitting way to set the table for the rest of the album.

2.   Ashes & Fire – This one is a little “jangly”, with a bar-room sounding piano.  Almost vaudeville-like.  Cool lyric, “here eyes were indigo, the cats were all calico.”

3.   Come Home – Slow.  Delicate.  Cool Lyric:  ”nobody has to cry to make it seem real, nobody has to hide the way that they feel.”  Come Home is such a powerful statement…it means so much, in such different ways.  The steel guitar is “there” just enough…so pretty.

4.   Rocks – The strings come in about halfway through.  The “shaker” is introduced about two-thirds the way in.  It builds musically so beautifully as Ryan sings about vulnurability.

5.   PERSONAL FAVOURITE ALERT!!! Can I Wait – This is the best song I’ve heard in a long time.  Ryan’s voice is forceful, yet reserved over-top a simple guitar and snare-led percussion.  The lyrics are so simple…I could have written them…but only Ryan could.  Highlight:  ’Do I wait here forever for you?  Would you ask me to ?’  If I were getting married, this would be the first, second, third and fourth dance.  Anybody who didn’t like it, could eff off.  The Guitar solo (yes, SOLO) cuts to your heart, and the twist of the knife is the organ…ouch, tear.

6.   Chains of Love – Another rare “up-tempo” track.  It’s short and sweet.  One of the tracks I’d rank in the bottom third on the record.

7.  Invisible Riverside – Producer Glyn Johns gets a nod here.  The way he delicately introduces the players to carry Ryan to a charming crescendo is not nearly as easy as he makes it sound.  It has hints of Ryan’s track “Into the Ocean.”

8.   Save Me –  A slow building (very slow building) track that I haven’t spent enough time with yet.

9.  Kindness – Lyrically, one of the best tracks on the album.  A song that challenges the listener to question their beliefs and motivations.  ”if you’re so kind, can you let down your hand?”

10. Lucky Now – This track has one of those progressive structures I was talking about.  The verses have the same cadence and rhyming scheme…but diffident words that suggest progression.  Example: “the lights will draw you in, and the dark will bring you down, and the night will break your heart, only if you’re Lucky now.”  Later in the song, this chorus turns into this: “if the lights draw you in, and the dark can take you down, and love can mend your heart, but only if your luck now.”  The second this line ends, a guitar part begins that drives home the point with such precision, it’s like the notes are speaking a universal language about hope and fear.  The track leaves you wondering, wanting more.  It’s THAT good.

11.  I Love You But I Don’t Know What To Say - This song reminds me of an old Eagles song (Desperado, maybe?)  Not the music, or the lyrics, or the notes…but the pace, the cadence and the delivery.  It’s hard to explain…but it’s true.  Lyrically, I *think* it’s a love song.  A REAL love song… because it presents more questions than answers.  In the tender moments between two people, the truths and discoveries are the most powerful.

It’s out Tuesday…and unless I’m crazy…will be nominated for a few Grammys.

1.  The Last Waltz.  If you haven’t seen this documentary you should feel shame. The Band are joined on stage by everybody who was anybody in North American Music at the time for their last show EVER.  Eric Clapton, Bob Dylan, Joni Mitchell, Neil Young, Ronnie Hawkins and others make this a must-see.  You know what this film taught me?  Van Morrison is more than just the “Brown Eyed Girl” guy.  I had no idea.  Watch him rip it here.

2.  Beyond The Lighted Stage.  I never got Rush.  ”Prog-Rock” has always been too complex for me.  I wrote them off as another over-the-hill, over-hyped, dad-band.  I was…ummm…WRONG.  Every cool guy in rock is into Rush. Respect Rush, these decent musicians do.

3.  Lemmy.  Motorhead?  Really?  OK, sure, “Ace of Spades” from time to time…but are they a band to be taken seriously?  God-Damn-Right they are.  I always knew Lemmy was cool, but until I saw “Lemmy” I had no idea just how cool he is.  At the 3:36 mark of this, Dave Ghrol drops a pretty heavy compliment.  Watch it here.

I’m looking forward to “Back and Forth” (Foo Fighters) “PJ20″ (Pearl Jam” and “Talihina Sky” (Kings of Leon) this year. What’s your favourite Musical Documentary of all time?

The plan at this point is to fly to Oakland, rent a car (a convertible, obviously) then make the 2 hour drive down the coast to Santa Cruz.  Or, if it’s cheaper, fly to San Fransisco and drive about an hour to Santa Cruz.

The show is 6 days after the release of his new album “Ashes & Fire”, which I plan to listen to “turned to 11″ while making the drive south.

Now all I have to do is find a nice hotel (read: cheap) and convince my boss I need a few days off so I can see the recording artist I love the most.

A good fried of mine, who also loves Ryan Adams, said something to me one day I will never forget.  It went something like:  sometimes I feel like Ryan is singing to me when I listen to his music.  Sometimes, I feel the same way.

1.  “1974″ – Rock n Roll – I realize not a lot of people like this album but it holds a special place for me.  Until this CD landed on my desk as a young music director in 2003 I had never heard of Ryan Adams.  This song is the kind of ass-kicker I wish he wrote more of.

2.  “Note to Self: Don’t Die” – Rock n Roll – Since we’ve started with this record (and kicking sonic ass) why not another “rager” about celebrating mortal individuality.  As a romantic gesture, I understand Ryan gave his girlfriend at the time, Parker Posey, a writing credit.

3.  “Rosalie Come and Go” – Gold – A track from the “bonus” disc that I always enjoyed.  It’s twangy and jaunty.

4.  “Halloweenhead” – Easy Tiger – A pretty song about having ugly thoughts.  It’s sloppy yet charming.

5.  “Come Pick Me Up” – Heartbreaker – This song is so Emo.  Only you would never call a Ryan Adams song “Emo.”  You know what I mean?

6. “Magnolia Mountain” – Cold Roses – I want to believe this is a love song but after reading the lyrics it may not be the case.  It’s as soothing as watching a stream flow.

7.  ”Desire” – Demolition – The harp solo on this breaks my heart: and I love every second of it.

8. “Starting To Hurt” – Demolition – I always thought this song would fit better on Rock n Roll.  I’m 100% sure this song is about sobering up.  Who can’t relate to that?

9.  “To Be Young (is to be sad, is to be high)” – Heartbreaker – This song kicks off the movie “Old School.”  Brilliance on top of Brilliance.

10.  TIE “Wonderwall” -Love Is Hell –  & “Down In A Hole” – Followed The Lights – I’m not much of a “cover song” guy but on both occasions I feel Ryan strikes the perfect balance between maintaining the original’s integrity and smoothly adding his own sonic depth.

We only see Derek Jeter hit two doubles and a home run to go with four RBIs . We don’t see him in the gym at 6 am the previous morning -after leaving his family and beautiful estate style home – lifting weights until his arms and legs burn. Derek is a human, and likely wants to quit before every rep (just like you and I would) but he doesn’t. He understands that Preparation comes before Performance. The examples go on forever; this is my favorite:

Terry Fox – before cancer took his life – ran a marathon everyday for 143 days. The goal of the Marathon of Hope was to run across Canada. I have no doubt that Terry would have made it; not because I get misty eyed every time I see his image, or hear the story (though I DO); but because I know Terry Prepared before he Performed.

Terry trained for 14 months in preparation for the Marathon. In the end, he only ran 143 days. He ran everyday for a YEAR. The only day he took off was Christmas, because his mom made him.

The next time you see something impressive or hear a powerful story about the human spirit, try to imagine the preparation that went into the performance. That, to me, is often a better story. The dirty, gritty, blue-collar hard work that nobody will see, separates the incredible from the average performance.

The article was brilliant in that it’s definition of a “goal” was very, very loose.  It could be as simple as: I’m going to drink only one cup of coffee tomorrow (instead of the usual four); or as big as: I’m going to run 15km, and 10 wind-sprints as part of my marathon training.

Without some defined goals in our lives, we’re merely floating in time and space: watching the world fly by, wondering why happiness isn’t coming to us .  I can tell you from personal experience, that goal setting isn’t always fun.  Sometimes you don’t reach your goals.  After the sting of defeat wears off, the realization of hard-work sinks in.  The fulfillment that comes from knowing you worked hard, even if you didn’t achieve, is more rewarding than the false warmth that comes from not trying at all.

My goal for January is to not drink any alcohol.  I’ve dubbed the month “No-Drank-U-Ary”.  December was like “Mardi Gras” everywhere I went, so I think 30 days off the sauce will do my body good.

Set a goal; be happy.

Love has become a buzz word; a word that means everything and nothing.  It’s the heavyweight champion of words in one breath when you whisper it to your significant other, then when you visit your aunt’s house it’s a word spelled out in block letters on a picture frame from Wal-Mart.  You go to Starbucks; it’s on a transparent window sticker on the door.  Other words that mean nothing out of context are beside it: “dream” “believe” “inspire” “hope” “breathe”.

At first I though, “let me get this straight: someone used a bunsen burner, graphing calculator and litmus paper to come up with a solid chemical breakdown of why I love my parents or girlfriend?  That’s Crazy!  How could anybody, especially someone I’ve never met, define something as individual as a fingerprint;  mystical as Santa Claus and powerful as the untamed human spirit?  #forgetaboutit.  Then I read this strikingly succinct definition:

“Passion and commitment combined with intimacy form a triangle that represents the different facets of what researchers define as love.”  (Wood & Schweitzer, 2010 p.316)  I can honestly tell you, that was the heaviest thing I’ve read in a long time.

-Passion is having very powerful and  positive feelings and desires for another person.

-Commitment is an intention to stick with a relationship.

-Intimacy is achieved when one says or does things to build trust and support with another.

It makes a lot of sense.  It almost makes too much sense; so in a way I feel like the curtain has just been pulled back.  The good news is, knowing what I know now about love, I feel like I’m more in control of it, and how I experience it.