Brian Wilson Interviews
Brian Wilson’s Smile was the best album of last year. Hands-down. The performance of Smile, accompanied by his 18-piece band, at Denver’s Paramount Theater last October was absolutely fantastic. So it pains me a little bit to portray Brian in anything but a genius light. But his interviews are such a painful mix of awkward and harsh, I can’t resist reading as many as I can. Here are some random excerpts from two recent ones:
Recent Salon.com interview and article promoting the new 2-disc Smile DVD.
Thomas Bartlett: Do you listen to much classical music?
Brian Wilson: Are you Jewish?
No … Why do you ask?
Just asking! No reason.
OK. Do you listen to much classical music?
I listen to Bach, and that’s it. You know that album “Switched-On Bach”? I love that. I love it!!
Westword interview with Robert Schneider (leader of the Apples in Stereo, and noted producer of such Elephant 6 bands as Beulah, Neutral Milk Hotel and Olivia Tremor Control).
Robert Schneider: You seem really happy and relaxed, like you’re enjoying yourself. It’s really impressive to me. Being on tour for me is kind of weird, because you’re kind of in this suspended state, and your environment’s always changing.
Brian Wilson: Okay, what’s your last name?
Schneider.
Schneider?
Yeah, I play in a band called the Apples in Stereo.
I see. Okay, now I see what’s going on here.