J.D.: Well I don't know – that's a boring answer, but writing songs isn't really like doing something that you go into with a game plan.,”Q: You seem to have a knack for taking sometimes dark, personal material and singing about it to lighter pop music. What inspires this sharp contrast?
J.D.: Well I don't know – that's a boring answer, but writing songs isn't really like doing something that you go into with a game plan. I write stuff in the hopes of, one, keeping myself entertained, going there on the theory that if I find something amusing then somebody else will too; and, too, giving myself the creeps a little bit, also on the same theory i.e. that there are people besides myself who enjoy feeling a little creeped out. Not creepy like repulsive, but creepy like you feel when you wonder if there's a dude with the knife in the bushes or something. Dark theme/bright focus = instant creeps!
Q: Since your conception, many different musicians have played with you. How is the dynamic of working with such a diverse group?
J.D.: I kind of glom onto whoever I'm working with real fast, I'm like an orphan – as soon as I start playing with somebody they feel like family to me. So it doesn't really feel like a diverse group insofar as it takes me about half a song to feel like we're bonded at the hip.
Q: You are a proponent of buying and owning albums, do you think sites like YouTube are killing music or helping unknown artists find an outlet?
J.D.: "Killing music" kind of a leading question, eh – does anybody actually think/say that? YouTube's not really in anybody's sites, that's just free promotion. There are other services/sites that are a little less benign than YouTube but on balance anything that makes you work harder is good.
Q: On that note, do you feel the indie music scene is currently on the upswing or do you feel it has become stagnant? Are there any new bands you are into right now?
J.D.: I'm into plenty of new bands but most of them are heavy metal. Indie rock is selling pretty well right now, not much question of that, but I don't know how much innovation there is – it's not exactly the youngest kid in the class any more, right? There are always plenty of good new bands though. The Dodos are really good. Bloody Panda. Bottomless Pit.
Q: You have a theme of writing songs entitled "Going to." and the then the name of a country or city. How did this theme develop and what is the driving force behind selecting these specific places/
J.D.: Well I haven't written one of those songs since, like, '96 I think, but I started writing those to make fun of people who always think they're gonna move and everything's gonna be real great as soon as they move to where it's cool. I'm a Dorothy Gale man: there's no place like home.
Q: Your sound has tints of blues, country, bluegrass, and alternative. What musical
inspirations do you have and how have they helped shape your own style?
J.D.: I don't really know, I think that's more for listeners to say: I listen to a pretty broad variety of stuff but when I play I just do whatever comes to mind. Same is probably true for my collaborators. I try to avoid sounding like anybody else, I think in that sense I've got sort of early hardcore values.
Q: How has life on the road been over all these years? Do you ever get tired of touring and how do you keep it fresh and exciting?
J.D.: I've never really liked touring that much, though I love playing shows – the hour or so I spend onstage, that's always the highlight of my day. Otherwise I seek out – I crave – routine. I miss cooking for my wife when I'm away. I have been cooking every day since I got home from tour a couple of weeks ago.
Q: From Zopilote Machine up to your current album, Get Lonely, you have had transformations in style, content, and overall tone. What do you credit these transformations to?
J.D.: Just instinct – I write about what interests me, I play however it feels good to play, and like any animal I guess I seek out a little variety.
Q: Can we expect to hear a new album from you soon?
J.D.: We recorded a new album at Prairie Sun back in August, and it'll be out in February if all
goes well.
Q: You're scheduled to play at the Pabst Theater here in Milwaukee. Do you have any favorite things or places here in the city and what city do you like playing the most?
J.D.: I haven't been to Milwaukee but once, and I was only there for a few hours, so I don't really know anything about it. My favorite city to play is a very tough call. Sydney is awesome, so is Brisbane. New York and San Francisco, always fun. Toronto. Chicago. Impossible to name a favorite.
Q: Where do you see yourself in 10 years and are there any unfulfilled goals, music or otherwise, that you wish to fulfill?
J.D.: I don't really know! I try not to think past what I'm doing this week, you know – I sort of don't believe in plans any longer-range than "I'm gonna write a record where all the characters die painful deaths" or "I'm gonna play a show where all the songs go in reverse chronological order." Creative businesses plans sound like a dead end to me. I have rather modest ambitions I guess.
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