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Jo Pearson
UK artist
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Interview: 10 questions
1. When did you start making music, what is/was your motivation to do it?
Last year (2006), after buying equipment to record poems. Music/sound software was included and I began to experiment with sound. These sounds turned into ‘tunes’ My motivation is that I like trying out new ways to express myself artistically.
2. Tell me something about your living environment and the musical education.
I work on sound at home. I have no formal musical education or training.
3. Is making music your profession? What is the context in which you practice music nowadays?
Making music isn’t my profession; I’m an experimental artist/performer and sometimes do freelance web design.
4. How do you compose or create music or sound? Have you certain principles, use certain styles etc?
I sometimes start with words, sometimes with sounds, largely ‘going with the flow’, building words, sounds and tunes up, often making a feature of ‘mistakes’ and using things that happen ‘by accident’
5. Tell me something about the instruments, technical equipment or tools you use?
Sometimes I use Sonar LE on PC but also open source sound software that comes with Puredata
6. What are the chances of New Media for the music production in general and you personally?
I think it’s easier now with digital technologies for anyone who wants to be involved in music or sound production to get involved – but I don’t know if there’s much money to be made in it – if that is your motivation. It’s not mine!
7. How about producing and financing your musical productions?
I work at home and with what I have, trying to keep costs to a minimum and distributing on e.g. myspace and art exhibitions etc.
8. Do you work individually as a musician/soundartist or in a group or collaborative?
If you have experience in both, what is the difference, what do you prefer?
Individually at the moment, but using different ‘personae’.
9. Is there any group, composer, style or movement which has a lasting influence on making music?
John Cage, Velvet Underground, soul, motown, classical, punk, funk, but really far, far too many to mention.
10. What are your future plans or dreams as a soundartist or musician?
Just to carry on making sounds!
Can works of yours experienced online besides on SoundLAB? Where? See www.jopearson.com/artstuff