Photo Credit: Kyle Latham
1. Thank you very much for your time! Before we introduce your new release to our readers – what kind of drink would you recommend to sip on while they listen to your new music?
A scotch & soda is always my go to, so I’ll suggest that. Softens the edges of the world quite nicely and should put you into a sedate enough state to deal with whatever existential struggles may arise from there.
2. Please give us an update about – new single, new album, tour dates, new videos?!
Yeah! First single “Ezekiel Bobbing For Apples” dropped on the 7th of January, the next Single (w/ accompanying video) “Our Remaining Pig” is out February 4th, and the full album titled The All-Night Costume Company is out March 4th, to pervert and enchant the ever-loving world there forward.
3. We live in times of many conspiracy theories. Which, harmless, theory would you wish were true? (For example Dinos living inside Earth or E.T. living in a home in California)
You know, I’ve been reading Ingo Swann’s book Penetration about secret US government projects involving remote viewing, and that’s got me quite intrigued. Especially the parts about alien bases on the moon. Not sure what to make of it and I always leave the door open to “who knows”, but these things are super interesting to consider.
4. What fashion style or brand would best describe your music?
I’d like to say Comme des Garçons because I so admire the insanity, but in truth I like It’s more like sullied Pendleton wear. Clothes someone’s grandfather died in and now the young wear as if it means anything.
5. Tell us more about your songs! Topics! Message!?
Love and death are my main go to topics. Click play on any of my songs and one or both of those subjects will be present. That said, the new record has a song solely dedicated to my love for the state fair in Puyallup, Washington. So this is proof that any of us can grow no matter how sure we’re stuck in our ways.
6. Beside music, do you have any special talents?
Very few. I’m quite a lot of fun in conversation, so I’d say that’s in the plus column, although you best be ready to get vulnerable and chat through the disturbing and the socially unacceptable. I’m not going to talk with you about the weather or baseball. I also write books that I’ve never attempted to release. I hide them inside hard drives and in storage boxes. Doesn’t seem like the activities of a normal person, so perhaps that’s a skill as well.
7. Name 5 things we all should know about you as an artist?!
My initial response to this was that you don’t need to know anything about me as an artist. The music that I make contains most anything you could possibly want to know to a gratuitous amount. If you’ve listened to my music then you’ve lived in my head for a bit. That’s rather intimate, don’t you think? I’d say you’ve seen quite a bit of me at that point. That said, I want to be a good sport, so how about these:
I started playing in punk banks when I was twelve. I’ve put out around thirty albums since then.
I don’t care much for staying within a genre. Whatever moves me, that’s what I do. I hope this makes things interesting for the listeners as well.
In general I don’t care much for most musicians as people. Too much ego. You’d be amazed how many of them struggle with even basic cordial greetings in a green room. I like writers better, generally speaking. Self hating. Quirky to end all. On the whole, more interesting.
I write a song a week no matter what. Good, bad, or ugly. I’m bringing it all through.
For me making music is more of a mental health activity than an aspiration. Its primary function in my life is keeping me sane, not to be used as a tool for self aggrandizement (said as I preen before a mirror). That said, thanks for listening. We do appreciate you. Xo
8. The road so far…. who or what was your biggest support??
Dear lord, so many people. My parents for one. The years of absolute noise coming up from their basement as my bands fumbled along through time. Those people are saints. There’s a Seattle gent named Brian Jackson who has championed my music for decades. Grateful for him. And then last but definitely not least my band. These guys give up a lot to make music with me. Love those beautiful bastards.
9. A question you’d like to answer, but never been asked in an interview before?! + Answer pls
I recently played a show where the audience was encouraged to ask questions of the performers. A young lady opened for me and her first question from the audience was “How did you get so beautiful?” When I took the stage, alternatively, my first question from the crowd was “What kind of guitar is that?” So I’d like to be asked the former. For a moment of sunlight. To flatter this aging corpse I’m dragging around. So how did I get so beautiful? Maybe it’s the corrosive elements of time or maybe it’s Maybelline.
Instagram: @kyealfredhillig