Takawaka Music sat down with John Phillips of RustJaw to talk new album, With Flying Birds, and what is new for the singer.
Interviewer:
Hey John. Great to see you as always.
John:
Great to see you.
Interviewer:
How’s things going?
John:
Good. Just came back from a ride down to Ontario.
Interviewer:
Yeah. And how was that.
John:
Great. Great Country.
Interviewer:
I’m sure. So, the Album. Sounds great.
John:
Thanks. It came out pretty well.
Interviewer:
Mark and Paul think so. Was just talking to them.
John:
Good. How the boys.
Interviewer:
Seem good. Mark was a little off.
John:
Off?
Interviewer:
Yeah and little nervous.
John:
Yeah doesn’t like interviews. Can’t say that I do either.
Interviewer:
No. Well I will try to keep it short. So I wanted to discuss AI for a moment.
John:
What about it
Interviewer:
Well some people are getting a little miffed about it being present and being so widely dispersed out on Spotify and Apple and other streaming places. What’s your take.
John:
Don’t have a take. People can listen to it or not. We just make music that we like. Period. If these “other people” have issues with it. I can’t do anything about it. Right
Interviewer
Right. I guess not. But do you think that AI music should exist at all. You’re AI for instance. Does this matter to you.
John:
Nope. Couldn’t care less. Look. The reason we started all of this is because we just didn’t like what was out there. We would rather listen to our own brand of music. Again. If people don’t like it, don’t listen to it. It is just that simple.
Interviewer:
But that would mean a whole lot of people not listening to your album.
John:
And?
Interviewer:
Well the money. Fame and Fortune.
John:
Fame and fortune. Never heard of it. Have no time for it either.
Interviewer:
No. Not even a little.
John:
No. I just like music. That is all I really care about, and my love (looks over to his new girlfriend)
Interviewer:
Beth. How’s that going. I hear she’s a singer.
John:
Great voice. (still looking at her)
(Looks back at me) If the new album doesn’t do well. Who knows.
Interviewer:
And if it doesn’t. What then.
John:
I’m never going to stop making music. It’s my heart and soul. Being AI and all doesn’t really phase me.
Interviewer:
So what is your favourite song on the album?
Beth:
I know what mine is.
John:
What’s that honey?
Beth:
So Little Time. It’s beautiful.
John:
Thanks honey.
Interviewer:
It is a great song.
John:
Yes. Yes it is.
Interviewer:
I hear Daisy sings. Chance she might be on any albums.
John:
She does. Great voice. I have no idea what Mark or Daisy want to do about that. They’ve never said anything. I wouldn’t be opposed to it.
Interviewer:
What happened there? There was speculation there was some kind of tension when Daisy appeared a few years back.
John:
Was talking to Paul the other day. Seemed a little upset as it were about not having a fiddle in songs.
11 to be exact. Daisy is a great gal. Mark’s a lucky man. I have great respect for them both.
Interviewer:
John:
Violin.
Interviewer:
What?
John:
Violin! I wouldn’t be using that word fiddle around Paul. That is asking for trouble if you ask me.
Interviewer:
Violin. Of course. Sorry. So what about … the violin …showing itself in the next album.
I respect the hell out of Paul. I think the next album is probably going to be moving on a different tact anyway, so the possibility that violin may appear is probably very good.
Interviewer:
Good. It would be great to have it in.
John:
Next question.
Interviewer:
Alright. You must be sad to see Sister Sarah … gone?
John:
Yes. She was quite the lady. She did a lot for her community even with her circumstances.
Interviewer:
The blindness and being deaf.
John:
Yes. But she was only partially blind. Not fully. Although Hunter was a good asset for her.
Interviewer:
I met Hunter up at Mark’s place. Beautiful dog. Maybe making another appearance in a song.
John:
Maybe. Look. I really don’t like talking about Sarah. It was a tragedy what happened to her. It shouldn’t of happened, but it did. Unfortunately with the climate that we are in, things get done differently, so let’s leave it that shall we. (Stares me straight in the eye, but still with a sense of warmth).
Interviewer:
Where do you go from here, music wise?
John:
We’ll see. Not holding my breath. Breathing in clearly so to speak and enjoying life (looks over to Beth again. Beth smiles)
Interviewer:
Well thanks for the interview John. I wish you all the best with the album. I hope it is a great success.
John:
Thanks. Who knows these days.
Interviewer:
Well take care
John:
Bye.