100 Musicians Answer the Same 10 Questions

Part Thirty-One: The Capstan Shafts

instigated by dave heaton

Did you know Calvin Coolidge was from Vermont? Chester A Arthur? How about Dean Wells? What, you don't know Dean Wells? If you've missed out on the hundred-something songs he's released in the last couple years as the Capstan Shafts, you've seriously missed out. Taking his cues from his hero, Bob Pollard (in spirit more than musical style), The Capstan Shafts has been creating new recordings every time I blink. And all of them have been great - with jawdroppingly good melodies, lyrics that are wise-ass funny and absolutely heartbreaking at the same time, and a never-ending strain of clever and enigmatic titles and concepts. His many self-released, inexpensive EPs are often available through the distro at Asaurus, who also released his Chick Cigarettes cd, and he also has cds out on the Yellow Mica, Ababdoned Love and Kittridge labels.

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What aspect of making music excites you the most right now?

That it used to be fun and now it is more fun.

What aspect of making music gets you the most discouraged?

That I do not have a band. That this is entirely my fault makes it no less discouraging.

What are you up to right now, music-wise? (Current or upcoming recordings, tours, extravaganzas, experiments, top-secret projects, etc).

There are two new albums soon to be released: The Megafauna Undermined, from Slight in August, and something later on from Asaurus.

What's the most unusual place you've ever played a show...

I've never played anywhere, though when I was more self-conscious I did.

...or made a recording? How did the qualities of that place affect the show/recording?

The vocal tracks in the bathroom. Now the neighbors can just deal with it.

In what ways does the place where you live (or places where you have lived), affect the music you create, or your taste in music?

Um..........yeah I've only done music here so...........

When was the last time you wrote a song? What can you tell us about it?

This morning. As is often the case, it is about a biker chick type, which I like to think of as my Brian Wilson's surfing.

As you create more music, do you find yourself getting more or less interested in seeking out and listening to new music made by other people...and why do you think that is?

Like most people I love the crass commercialism of bygone eras while decrying its contemporary manifestations so..........

Lately what musical periods or styles do you find yourself most drawn to as a listener? (Old or new music? Music like yours or different from yours?)

Hugely popular late sixties/early seventies acts.....also late forties jump blues; s ome of the best guitar sounds EVER.

Name a band or musician, past or present, who you flat-out LOVE and think more people should be listening to. What's one of your all-time favorite recordings by this band/musician?

Goddammit I don't want to say Bob, but if it's FLATOUT love..........

What's the saddest song you've ever heard?

"It's Alright", Black Sabbath...A long story, well not so much long, as dull.

To check out the rest of the Q&As, click here.