#muse interview

[earlymusearchives]

(MUSE) Pinkpop 2004 interview (transcription)

"The origin of Muse" DOMINIC: Well, no we had..the bands we were in before Muse had various names, but the three of us were called "Rocket B

[alighttoburnalltheempires]

PHONE INTERVIEW: First telephone interview with the Muse frontman Matthew Bellamy

Perhaps it was because I am personally a huge fan of Muse, but speaking with their frontman, Matthew Bellamy, was both an incredibly moving and "difficult" experience. Being a fan made me more cautious, and I also worried that the conversation might leave a lingering, unpleasant aftertaste if he fell short of my expectations. However, what made me anxious the most was hearing about his "notorious shyness" from a British acquaintance. Given his history of canceling interviews multiple times and the fact that he would ramble incoherently even when an interview was finally arranged, it was quite a reasonable concern. But what did that matter as long as the interview happened? I would've considered it a relief as long as he didn't run away after scheduling the interview. However, ominously, the scheduled interview time kept getting delayed on the day. Finally, after a long, torturous wait, I received a call from Muse's management. And only then was I finally able to greet Matthew.

Hello. It's nice to meet you for the first time. It seems like this is your first interview with a Korean media outlet… Where are you right now? Are you in London?

Not in London, no. I'm currently at a hotel somewhere. It's nice to meet you like this.

You must be incredibly busy ahead of the release of your third album, Absolution, at the end of September… Moreover, this album is the most talked-about rock release in the UK this second half of the year. Perhaps that is why it has been generating so much buzz even before its release, with so many stories circulating. If I recall an NME article I saw earlier this year, the album title was The Smallprint, not Absolution. Why was the title changed?

Actually, the title of this album was Absolution from the very beginning. It was like that from the start of the production. I wasn't paying any attention to it, but it seems Muse's fans didn't. Talk of the new album came up on the band's official website and various fan sites, and it looks like fans spread rumors via messages that the title would be The Smallprint. Even though I never once mentioned that title, nor did I ever change the current one. Even when those rumors were spreading, I had absolutely no idea that was happening. So when I later saw the article in NME stating that the album title was The Smallprint, I was really surprised. On the one hand, it was quite funny, too. I suppose it’s proof that everyone is very interested in Muse's new album.

There are quite a few reviews regarding this album saying it has become heavier, more positive, or feels different from the past, so I get the feeling that you might have changed your direction a little bit. To talk a little more about the NME article, I also heard that this album is related to the Iraq War.

Uh, not really. While there is a bit of that content in it, this album encompasses everything about my life. Like, it is an album about the things happening in my life. You might feel that this album is somehow different, but fundamentally, nothing has changed. My thoughts haven't changed from the past either. However, if there is a difference from the previous albums, it is that this one captures my diverse emotions. The previous albums, expressed emotions and sentiments in a single direction, but in this album, I tried to express emotions from different perspectives as well. As you mentioned, some of the songs on the album have a positive feel, but of course, there are songs that aren't. What I tried to capture in this album is everything I have felt and experienced — like, relationships with people, new relationships, fear of the wrongdoings committed by the nation and the government, and fear of God, and so on. This album is a very sincere one about myself.

I see. We did talk about the reviews saying it has become more positive, but a significant number of people, including myself, also feel that this album has become more commercial than the past.

Well, I don't really know about that. There might be some songs that feel commercial, but this album isn't just a collection of singles like other commercial rock albums. I think of it as a complete album aiming for a single, cohesive whole. Hmm… I'm not sure if this album should count as commercial. I haven't really thought of it that way. Commercialism is something mainstream, isn't it? If you think about it that way, we have never once been commercial or mainstream from the past until now. In the mid-90s, Britpop was the mainstream of the UK rock scene, but we played music that was completely different from that. After that, Nu-Metal emerged as the mainstream, but they were different from us, too. Recently, Garage Rock — that is, bands like The Streets and The White Stripes mixing hip-hop, punk, and blues — has become mainstream, but we are completely different from them as well. We've always stood outside the mainstream just like that. We never cared at all what music was coming out as mainstream; we just made our own music. So, we have always existed as an alternative to mainstream rock. Personally, I am very proud that we were able to do that.

I get the feeling that the producer's influence played a significant role in creating the distinct feel of this album, too. Rich Costey, who handled the mixing for Audioslave's albums, served as the producer for this album. John Leckie worked on Muse's last two albums, right? I imagine there must be a significant difference between the two.

John Leckie has a very loose and relaxed style. Compared to Rich Costey, he is much more laid-back. John Leckie's weakness was that he didn't deeply understand band's music. That was true for our music as well. Meaning, rather than working with the mindset that he needs to bring out the band's individuality based on the kind of music they play, he works according to the direction he likes. As a result, the albums John Leckie has worked on tend to be soft and easy to listen to. I suspect that he developed this stubbornness because he has only worked with rock bands until now. On the other hand, unlike John Leckie, Rich Costey has worked with musicians of many different styles. He has worked with rock bands like Audioslave, but he has also collaborated with avant-garde musicians like Philip Glass and artists like Fiona Apple. Perhaps that is why he seems to understand the music the band wants to make very well. He captures exactly what the band wants and works accordingly. And that's also why this album has become such an honest work.

Let's talk about the song Stockholm Syndrome from the album. This single was released exclusively online. This is not common, especially in the UK, so I'm curious why it was released only online.

It was because of the fans. There are so many Muse fans who use the internet. You can tell that through the official website and countless fan sites. That is why we decided to release Stockholm Syndrome exclusively online. I, personally, believe that eventually, all media will move to the internet. I also think that in the near future, the medium for listening to music will also shift from CDs to MP3s.

The first single is Time Is Running Out. Why did you choose this song?

Time Is Running Out is a very heavy song that also feels very deep. When I listened to other bands' tracks released as singles on MTV and radio, as well as our own, I realized that we had been taking the easy way out and had only chosen songs that were too easy to listen to. I even felt sorry for our fans. Of course, Time Is Running Out isn't an unpleasant song to listen to. It is a song I personally like, which is why I pushed for it as a single. I mostly considered various other aspects. I wanted to choose a song that was not only pleasant to listen to but also satisfying for our fans and something we ourselves would like as our first single. Of course, when deciding on the next single, we'll probably use different criteria.

So the second single hasn't been decided yet? Do you happen to have a track in mind?

The second single isn't settled yet. There are candidates... it could be Sing For Absolution or Hysteria. I think we'll just have to wait and see.

Then personally, what is your favorite song on this album?

Hmm… that depends a bit on the situation. My favorite song to play is Stockholm Syndrome. Other songs are good for listening, but Stockholm Syndrome is a song that really makes you want to play it.

I see. Then let's move away from questions about the new album and talk about something else. I have a question about emerging guitar bands in the UK. Both the press and music fans are reacting positively to their playing, which has become noticeably heavier lately. Personally, what are your thoughts on these young guitar bands?

To be honest, I don't know much about new guitar bands. I'm not really interested in them, either. I usually listen to other music rather than guitar bands.

Then what kind of music do you listen to?

I enjoy listening to Liszt's piano works. Also a lot of other classical pieces and jazzm too. And other than that…

No rock band music at all?

I do listen to The Flaming Lips these days. Oh… Audioslave, too. But are there a lot of good bands among the young guitar bands? Which bands are they?

There are so many bands receiving really good reviews these days. A prime example is The Coral. They topped the UK album charts with their second album. Besides them, there are The Music, Hundred Reasons, Lostprophets...

Oh, right. That's true. I like The Coral too. I saw their performance in LA last time, and it was really good. Guitar bands these days play such a diverse range of music, and I think that's a positive trend.

What about progressive rock? When I listen to Muse's music, I get a progressive rock vibe. Do you like that kind of music, too?

Progressive rock, especially 70s progressive rock, was literally nothing but technical music. It was music that felt like a lump of machine —completely devoid of emotion. But our music is different from that. Of course, our music has a technical aspect, but we strive to create music that balances technology with emotion. Progressive rock is not like that at all. I don't really like that kind of music.

I see. Now, let's talk about something that might seem a bit odd. It's a question about your personal reputation. I once spoke with Ben Gautrey, the vocalist of The Cooper Temple Clause. He mentioned that they performed as a support act for Muse at Brixton Academy back in 2001, and he described Muse as the kindest and nicest band he has ever met.

(Laughs) Really? Hearing that makes me feel really good (laughs). I don't think we treated those friends any better than usual back then… I think we just treated them like we normally would. But I'm really grateful to hear that. Actually, they were very kind and friendly too (laughs). There are people who think highly of us, but it doesn't seem like everyone is like that. People usually have many sides to them, you know. You might be seen one way by one person and that way by another, but the important thing is that your reputation can change completely depending on the other person's personality or the situation. So, there are people who don't think much of us, too. Anyway, it's nice to hear that.

Now, here's another silly question. (Laughs) I'm going to talk about Muse's die-hard fans. Muse is famous for attracting passionate fans all over the world, and I've heard that there are even quite a few stalkers.

(Laughs) Yes, there are fans like that. I really encounter a lot of them, especially when we are on tour. I’ve experienced fans chasing us in cars quite often. There were even people who surrounded the tour bus or even hid behind it. I couldn't understand those fans at first. Their behavior was so strange, and I wondered why they were acting that way. Let me tell you a story about a really odd fan. It was a female fan. She was a fan who followed us around constantly; I don't know how she knew where we were — whether it was the concert venue or anywhere else — but there wasn't a place she didn't show up. And while she was following us around, she was always crying (laughs). She would show up during sound checks to look at us and cry, and she would even come right up to the front of the dressing room to cry. I was so scared of her (laughs). She was genuinely terrifying. But now, I don't feel that uncomfortable around fans anymore. It’s just because they like us, you know. I can't say they aren't a burden at all, but I’m okay with it now.

Wow, that's amazing. Why on earth are so many people obsessed with Muse?

I honestly don't know the reason (laughs). Maybe they fell for the emotional side of our music. You know, there's something about it that really stirs up people's emotions.

Craig Nicholls, the frontman of the Australian band The Vines, also told me that he is a huge fan of Muse.

Oh, really? (Laughs) That feels good. Does he really like us? I feel like I'm hearing too many nice things today (laughs).

Then let me share another good story. As I mentioned in the introduction before the interview, I've personally seen Muse perform a few times. Muse is a band renowned for having some of the best live acts. I, too, felt a sense of wonder every time I watched you guys perform. In particular, watching your fierce playing and explosive performances, I got the impression that you pour all your energy onto the stage. I even fear that doing that must be incredibly difficult, and that your body wouldn't be able to handle it.

I think I'm still holding up pretty well (laughs). When I step onto the stage, I feel like I become a different person. I really love playing on stage. We move around a lot more than other bands, so we expend a lot of energy, but honestly, I don't feel that tired while playing or even afterward. I just don't realize it's hard because I'm doing something I love.

I see. Then, let me ask you a few fundamental questions about making music. I asked similar questions to several musicians I've met: what drew you into rock?

The boring life in a small town made me that way. The place where I grew up was a really small rural village. It was a truly monotonous and tedious place with absolutely nothing to do. Living in a place like that, naturally I had to look for something exciting and thrilling, and that was rock music. Making music was my only joy and a kind of escape. I couldn't help but fall for rock.

What made you walk the path of a musician?

Music is what I'm good at, you know (laughs). I've loved doing music since I was young. I really enjoyed it. I think it just happened that way because doing music at home was so natural. My family all liked music and played it themselves, too. So whenever I came home, I could always hear music.

You must have been very nervous during your very first performance. How did you overcome it?

You mean the performance I did when I was very young? I don't know. How did I manage back then? (Laughs) Because I was so young at the time, I was completely frozen. When I stepped onto the stage, I couldn't see anything. I couldn't even see who was around me; it was as if my mind had momentarily left my body. But once I started playing, the tension gradually eased, and I was able to concentrate. When you perform, you get so immersed that you forget everything else. It was the same back then. And then I came down from the stage. I don't freeze up like I did back then. Of course, standing in front of people is still scary and difficult. But now, I get much less nervous.

This story seems like it's going to be even more bizarre than the ones I've told before. I heard you're a really good dancer? I have a Mushroom UK employee I know personally, and she told me that you are.

(Burst of laughter) Who said that? Who is it? (Laughs) The product manager?

International Promotion Manager. She has left the company now, though. But while talking to me about you, she said you were a really great dancer (laughs).

(Laughs) Oh really… I can't believe she said that... I'm not really sure if I'm that good at dancing (laughs). I do like just dancing. I do it when I feel like it. But I definitely don't dance like in a good or a grand way, you know. I don't dance that often. Just very occasionally when I feel like it.

Starting the UK tour in November, isn't that too late for the fans who have been eagerly waiting?

Actually, we will be doing small-scale performances before that. We are planning to do them in London and Devon.

Is that so? When do you plan to do it?

The exact date hasn't been set yet. It is certain that it will be in September, though. It will likely be right before or right after the album release. We usually hold concerts alongside album releases, and it will be the same format this time. We plan to distribute tickets to fans via a lottery system rather than selling them. After that, we will tour Europe starting in October, followed by a UK tour. Following that, we expect to go to Japan and Australia starting in late December or January, but the exact schedule hasn't been finalized yet.

Have you heard anything about Muse's concert in Korea by any chance? There are rumors that it is currently being pursued.

(Laughs) Yes, of course I want to go to Korea and perform. I did hear a talk about that. If we do end up going to Korea, it would likely be sometime between late December and February, when we'll be performing in Japan and Australia. However, since the schedules for those shows aren't set yet, I don't really know how things will turn out. I do have plans to do an Asia tour during that time and perform in countries I haven't been to before, like Korea or China. But given the current situation, I have absolutely no idea if that will actually happen. Of course, I want to go and perform, but there are various factors involved. I also have to consider what kind of performance it will be. As of now, I can't give you a 100% definite answer.

It would be great if you could really come to Korea. Would even a performance at a small club in Korea be okay?

Of course. Absolutely. As long as we have fans who like us, we aren't bothered by such things at all. The only question is whether or not we actually get to perform.

It was really nice meeting you. I hope we can meet again, whether in London, Manchester, or Korea.

I really enjoyed it too. I hope we can meet again later. Thank you.

As I had anticipated, Matthew was a very shy person. Although it wasn't evident in the article — or rather, it was difficult to reveal — he displayed extreme nervousness from the very beginning and even stammered considerably while answering. However, as time passed and as I asked a series of quirky questions, his tension eased considerably, and we were able to finish the interview on a pleasant note.

A person as pure as a child, who is excessively shy yet possesses a tremendous passion and pride for music. That was the impression I got from my conversation with Matthew. And above all, Matthew was the person who knew how to laugh the most and the loudest among all the musicians I have met. While this might be proof that he is a very sentimental person, Matthew's hearty laughter certainly put me in the best mood possible.

Interview & translation: Jaei Kim Photos: Warner Music

[gothicpetrichor]

DRUM! Magazine #201, March 2013 📸 Richard Pereira

[forged-in-kaoss]

rly laying the belldom on thick, eh :: Muse Interview with Nicole Alvarez :: Audacy :: KROQ :: [alt video in case of eu region block]

[blindtaleteller]

PROMPT: OOC Interview with [X] Clint ‘Cuyler’ Barton

" Been a while since we did one of these.. but. You know the drill man! This is your first interview, yeah? Want to explain why and where you’re from? “

     Cuyler (Clint Barton D14:) Besides trolling the hell out of tags with Viedimadr? *grins* Ah, mostly that’s keeping the core element I guess. Most Bartons are the quintessential superhero, at least in the range of having that alter-ego. Might not wear a mask ‘til Ronin in the MCU? But --and especially with how my character works pre-Avengers; sharing past the job isn’t exactly any of our fortes? We have a family to protect, and if you do the math of how old the kids are even in Ultron: that family has been a thing since before we take the higher ground up out of the paid-SHIELD-killer status I’m in that Nat does mention in the original Avengers. Also usually save it up between the pages and occasional poke into tags and skits here on the dash.

     Cuyler (Clint Barton D14:) As for where I’m from! *he leans back and hooks his hands behind his head* We’re Universe Fourteen; two doors on the left down the connecting Vestibule from Lisan’s Universe, and one to right of the Ego-centrics with Grey Knight and Leadsprite. Ours starts out different in the respect that, Fury ends up getting the Scepter tap instead of me; and the resulting conflict goes very differently.

“ Such as? “

     Cuyler (Clint Barton D14:) We never even hit New York; Fury tries to snag me in, and under the Stone’s influence that means trying to at best grab my kids since he’s one of the only two people attached who know about them. Loki ends up breaking form and getting in the middle of that. Yanks us off world and out of Fury’s sight, with the goods. That’s where we picked up with our first published bit ‘The Warming Stone’ anyways.

” Speaking of.. what do you think about the split from the original timeline? “

     Cuyler (Clint Barton D14:) I’m having a lot of fun with it myself. And I’m pretty sure Laura is somewhere outside the room clapping in agreement; she’s quieter than most but a constant presence and; she and Lo get along real well. Anyway. End up dealing with that whole ‘the city is flying, we’re fighting an army of robots; and I have a bow and arrow’ overwhelmed mentality a lot sooner because of it? I like the existential twists that come with the Dark Fairy Tale elements and whatnot that get thrown out there and right into our faces pretty much immediately, what with running face-first, on foot, into Jotunheim of all places through that doorway in Illinois. We did some collabs with the other guys that run through there, on top of the research and expanded on some of the wildlife ourselves to manage that? So that was some actual fun. This side of the pool I can absolutely admit us Bartons are a bit masochistic? *laughs* I am pretty sure we enjoy exploring those bits and how we’d react to them. I’m no different in that respect. I mean.. how would you react to being a dinner sized meal for labrador-to-great-dane sized snow-caterpillars with the elongated teeth of freakin shark? Or finding out the hard way there’s giant predator owls flying around about the size of a plane that eat those, just as an example? Never mind trolls, or frost giants, or anything else that manages to survive in that kind of insane climate and might decide to try and eat you just to see if you taste good.

” Probably stay inside forever if I was going to be honest? XD Anyway, Is there anything you’d change about your current story? “

     Cuyler (Clint Barton D14:) Considering we’re still building back there? Not yet. I mean, too much fun so far. I mean we’ve done what.. four parts at this point? All during what we’re currently calling the Traveler Phase from Earth to Asgard through the doors between Illinois, Jotunheim, and Vanaheim. Which is interesting in itself. I mean whole other world, and things are shaken up before we even get there and (in part because of the fact that) we end up dependent on our Loki pretty fast. I think maybe my only change there would be in maybe doing another part for Extras that includes ‘Ogre’ .. who hasn’t even shown yet at that point in the story. He’s our Bruce Banner; or more specifically our Hulk? Thing is finding a space that won’t interfere too heavily with the book when we do it though. We could excuse the bits in the Traveler Phase because we intended to shorten it when we got there anyway; maybe cut straight to Asgard with that as a supplemental extra; a lot like the GROUNDED kids did with their out-takes featured in the same platovember series.

“ I imagine messing with Universe Three’s next installment’s been helping that along? “

    Cuyler (Clint Barton D14:)  Oh yeah, definitely. That mirror of Bruce’s is pretty similar in mindset and approach.

” That said, do I have to ask if there’s anyone in particular you like to watch or get into reading over their shoulder when they’re at it? “

    Cuyler (Clint Barton D14:) Oh definitely The Bean right now, for sure? But there’s a list.. *grins* GROUNDED and DREAMS being woven together finally, especially with  some of the inter-universal roles being brought up is a big one. Looking forward to whipping out that sword.. heh. Though, watching the ESCAPE kids from the other forming Vestibule has been an interesting ride now that they’re not entirely cloistered in Tuscon, or their hotel room. I know what’s up there outside of Traverse too, which helps. And there’s Josh. I think everyone’s been waiting for that fireball to explode across the page? The fact Tony, Lo and Fury managed to somehow make that nutcase all on their own with just a few lines still makes me laugh. Walsh is a character and a half. I’m looking forward to getting my chance at screwing with his mirror in our Door. Leigh is a weird bit of fun too, but Josh is definitely one of those at the top of the list, and who you chose for a face in close rep, is interesting. Maybe Vix too as far as characters go? But he’d a little lower down for me at the moment.

“ Stab, stab pull..? Heh. Which is your favorite upcoming group from the books/portions of Mixology aka the Lokiverse at large? And which are you most curious about? “

     Cuyler (Clint Barton D14:)  Ha! yeah; stab-stab, pull. Loxley’s got an interesting bunch next door. *rubs his hands up over the top of his head and back down* Honestly, MONSTERS and ASHES. Ah, that’s Door and or Universes Three and Twelve for those that don’t know. Three has a similar bonding mechanic between Bruce and Lo I’ve been interested in, while ASHES hits on other things, including a rockier relationship and overall dynamic between his Bartons and Redbird (that’s his Quill) that tends to go dark in the personal aspects a lot. I guess I like that struggle between them, personally. Loxley brushes something similar going on post-Ronin with his family dynamic with his internals and his Lo’s concerns for that; but I think Lili and his crew hit that at a whole other angle from around five years prior on? With, a whole other take on the family dynamic that Laura and I have with Lo by the time we leave Asgard. And that’s curious to me.

” I put you guys through a lot of shit in the name of storytelling. Any parts you have complaints about? “ 

   Cuyler (Clint Barton D14:) None, planned or otherwise.

“ ..that was fast. “

   Cuyler (Clint Barton D14:)  What can I say? I enjoy the twisty shit, at least on this end of the pool. Ignoring the reservations, and dealing with the danger-fear of getting hurt in ways that can’t be fixed with stitches or band-aids, of accepting that kind of bond knowing how it started and risking the idea that finding out why might not make that danger less or that person better or more relatable than perceived to be able to accept them farther even after that investment?

  Cuyler (Clint Barton D14:) The contradiction of pride and ego versus conscience and the guilt when it belongs there getting in the way -and even dealing with when it should be toned down that results in having one,  even if it’s just a sliver in places and playing that out along with dipping into places mostly ignored or washed over in the Universes; is interesting and fun to me. Danger included. I have a little less guilt than my mirrors in a lot of directions that gets placed elsewhere after we come back to Earth; and I enjoy that dynamic and what we’re trying to explore there. That whole; ‘what if he was loyal, without he stone’s influence’ aspect, in our own flavor is a LOT of fun to play with. It’s a very different Universe, but holds hints and background pieces, and similarities enough, as well as the core; that it’s a feasable alternative to the canon line. Which is extra fun, for the personal aspects or ‘humanity’ we manage in the process? So no.. no complaints. Not yet anyways.. heh. We’ll see how I feel when you start actually touching actual, hands-on Gagnarok fixes and alternates though. Outside of that Cosmic-FrostIron bitty from a few doors down anyway. That’s gonna be a mess.

  “ Whee.. yeah. MONSTERS gets that honor first, most likely.. “

  Cuyler (Clint Barton D14:)  Good. Bean can handle that best, I think... or maybe worst. Either way it’s gonna be entertaining for me..

For those interested, Cuyler’s published stories are found below in chronological order (they were posted out of order in part because of the prompts themselves and some parts were planned ahead to take certain slots.) The title names are the links to each part.

The Warming Stone (part 1)

Fathers (part 4)

The Hart (part 2)

Between the Reds (part 3)

[gwen-musings]

Muse Interview Questions

Feel free to alter questions as needed.

1) Why do you_____?

2) Who do you look up to?

3) Strangest thing you've ever had to do?

4) How did you get started doing ____?

5) Have you had any schooling for what you do?

6) One weird fact about yourself you'd like to share.

7) Favorite ____?

8) If you could be anything, what would you be?

9) If you could do anything, what would you do?

10) Any advice about ____?

11) Do you have any regrets?

12) Do you have any dreams or aspirations?

13) How did you feel about ____?

14) What are your thoughts about____?

15) Least favorite ____?

16) Wild card: ask any question you'd like.

[zenerased]

[iwillbringyouruin]

mommy Elle approves