Jonathan: Not really. Usually within minutes of finishing any given song (including songs I'm writing now), I'll send mp3s out to all my friends to get feedback, so...no, I wouldn't say I was apprehensive. I was a bit leery about performing live since I hadn't had that much experience playing my own music in any kind of concert setting.
Scene Point Blank: What about involving others onstage? Was there fears they wouldn't "get" what you were trying to do?
Jonathan: Nope. Maybe this is sort of an arrogant thing to say but I wasn't too concerned with having my bandmates "get" what I was trying to do. I just wanted to play music with my friends and if they enjoyed themselves, all the better.
Scene Point Blank: I've heard the new record, and it's definitely quite a departure from 'Fragments'. What prompted the change?
Jonathan: My friend Marvin sent me a shareware copy of Cool Edit Pro and I used it to write a song that night. Then I wrote 13 more over the course of 6 months. I don't think anything really prompted the change. I definitely knew I wasn't going to make another "Fragments." I guess I'm just trying to do something new with each release.
Scene Point Blank: How do you plan to play the newer songs live? From what I've heard they don't follow a standard drum/guitar theme at all.
Jonathan: I'm guessing we'll each have a circuit-bent keyboard. I've been thinking about how we'd do it live and I'm not sure we would. I think it would be fun to learn one or two songs for future tours, but I'm more concerned with focusing on newer material.
Scene Point Blank: What bands/artists inspire your music? Who would you ideally love to work with?
Jonathan: I wouldn't say that there aren't any particular bands artists who inspire my music but I might hear a part from an individual song, which I might nick and appropriate in one of my own. Nirvana's been a huge influence on me...I like The Jesus Lizard a lot (particularly the Goat and Liar records). Eric Dolphy, Ornette Coleman, early Cave In, Converge, Peter Brotzmann, Pierre Boulez, Can, Boredoms, Curtis Mayfield, Iron Maiden, Buddy Holly, Squarepusher, the list goes on and on. Aside from Tyondai Braxton, I can't think of anyone in particular I'd love to work with. I think if someone's dedicated and passionate about their craft and is interested in collaborating with me, I'd be there in a heartbeat.
Scene Point Blank: What do you hope your listeners get out of your music?
Jonathan: Anything, really. If someone felt any differently after listening to my music than they did before popping one of my records in, then my job is done. Even if it's a negative reaction (and I've gotten quite a few of those) as long as they reacted to something in the music, I'd be happy as a clam.
Scene Point Blank: Spoken like a true musician. Finally, what do you see yourself/Capillary Action doing in the future?
Jonathan: Writing, recording, and touring constantly. Expect to see a lot of my face plastered on 12-year old boys' walls.
Scene Point Blank: Any final words?
Jonathan: To SPB's readers: we're heading out on our first nation-wide tour next week and it would be really lovely if you could come check us out if we happen to be hitting your town. I promise lots of manhugs and dirty, wonderful secrets about Zed.
Interview by Matt
