One of the most consistent and rewarding bands of the last two decades, Eels have released eleven studio albums, a rarities collection and a book, as well as contributions to numerous film soundtracks. Their latest album, The Cautionary Tales of Mark Oliver Everett, was released in 2014, and is an intimate and lushly produced account of a break up. The whole album is available to stream from the band’s Soundcloud page, here: https://soundcloud.com/the_eels/sets/cautionary-tales-of-mark-oliver-everett
It’s best suited, like much good music, to a listen through headphones without distractions.
In the second edition of our interview segment, ‘Why Do I Music?’, we caught up with fingerstyle guitarist, croissant enthusiast and frontman with the band Moosh Wah, Nathaniel Myers. We discussed his forthcoming album, ‘Eternal Smile of the Spotless Teeth’, and the implications of Swiss cheese, among other things. Here’s what he had to say for himself.
FMM: You are rather unusual in that the kazoo was your first instrument. What was it that initially drew you to it, and what are its limitations?
NM: That’s a great question. Naturally, having been raised by a gang of travelling clowns, there are a lot of funny objects dotted about the place. One of those was a kazoo, and from the age of four I just couldn’t keep it out of my mouth. After I had released my completed works for kazoo, I felt I had done all I could with it, hence me picking up the guitar at aged 12.
FMM: Apart from your well-known affection for the Pet Shop Boys and Pubic Enemy, who would you consider to be your main influences?
NM: Influences vary far and wide. I tend to be inspired by two specific things: music and life. If it was not for music, there is no way I would be making music, that is for sure. And as for life, it has influenced me in ways I couldn’t begin to get into.
FMM: Your music has received a mixed reception in the past. For example, the Independent’s Andy Gill described you as “the unthinking man’s Bob Dylan”, while Alexis Petridis of the Guardian, upon hearing your music, renounced all worldy possessions and embarked on a “pilgrimage” from which he has not yet returned. Do you take much note of such reviews and feedback?
NM: I don’t, to be quite honest with you. I’m always flattered to hear that anyone has had an emotional reaction to my music, but the form that reaction takes is not of my concern. It’s the only way that I can get over all the stupid shit that people do after listening to my music.
FMM: You’ve said publicly that your forthcoming album ‘Eternal Smile of the Spotless Teeth’ is your attempt at promoting good dental hygiene. Why is this issue so important to you?
NM: Absolutely. Unfortunately, as you will read in the album booklet, my father did indeed provide me with approximately 50 per cent of my genes. Some of those genes did land me with some pretty crappy teeth, so I am all for turning that toothy frown upside down and not showing your teeth. Or something.
FMM: Let’s talk about the album itself. What makes it so good? Why should we even care?
NM: There are some pretty sick songs on it, and you should care because good music is better than bad music.
FMM: You recently underwent a double sex change operation for “empathetic reasons”. Having gone through that experience and become a man once again, what do you feel you learned from it? Would you recommend it to other confused young individuals?
NM: To be honest with you, I am just a huge fan of South Park.
FMM: What advice would you give to any software engineers just starting out in the business?
NM: Well, speaking from my experience on an AS-Level Computing course (for which I obtained an E), and someone with a keen interest in fashion, I would say that you need to have a dream. You need to understand that not all people like wearing hard clothes, and that is when you, as a soft wear engineer will come into you own.
FMM: And finally, at the Free Music Movement, the musician gets the final word. What is it?
NM: The final word is ‘do’. The only sin greater than being bored is being boring, so do everything you can to ensure that neither of those words apply to you. Music is a great way of achieving that, and I hope that my music can help you.
Nathaniel was speaking in confidence with The Free Music Movement’s Blink McCafferty. Moosh Wah’s debut album, ‘Eternal Smile of the Spotless Teeth’, will be released in February 2015, to widespread critical acclaim. You can hear the title track here:
If you know of any other talented young upstarts that would be interested in being interviewed by us, simply enter ‘The Free Music Movement’ into your carrier pigeon’s GPS, or alternatively, drop us a message or comment on WordPress or Facebook.
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