SF Music Speaks: An Interview with Jonny Mac
San Fran Voice caught up with singer-songwriter Jonny Mac who self-describes his music as “an aggressive and experimental variation on the singer-songwriter thing (which is) subtle in approach”. You can hear his stuff on MySpace or go catch him live … he’s playing at Beale Street Pub on May 31st and will be part of the San Francisco Free Folk Festival on June 16th. Here’s what he had to say …
On making music in
I play in bars, clubs, cafes, galleries, and restaurants as well as at house parties, street fairs, farmer’s markets and even on the street. I’m not totally bound to the material value of music, which I think is a good thing because, as far as I can tell, there doesn’t seem to be much material value in doing it in
I like the distinct neighborhoods of SF as well as the colorful parades, the ocean, the hills, the views. SF is a great walking city. I like how things feel a little loose; I like the tolerance for alternative lifestyles. The cost of living pretty much ensures that my production values will sound on a tight budget. I think the SF Bay Area is a good place to be if you’re an ambitious artist. There’s a lot of flighty stuff happening all of the time but it’s also a very serious and challenging place, too. It depends on how one accepts it, I suppose. I love it! Personally, I’m trying to open up my songs to as many different people and experiences as possible without becoming a goofball. In the end, I want my music to sound like it takes in the city, as opposed to sounding like a bunch of smooth digital edits.
On the SF thing that best sums up the music …
Rent Control … because my songs are about and for people who aren’t totally consumed and worn out and creatively defeated by notions of making enough money to keep up with a pre-conceived, safe, little liberal lifestyle (or a reactionary right wing lifestyle). You can’t kill the way I do things with greed and petty insecurities.
On his new EP …
I hear it as an eclectic grab bad of good songs. It’s like going to the corner store to get the fixings for one really good meal. You select various fresh things, creating interesting combinations of things you can carry in your hand without much fuss and that you can afford with relative ease. You take it all back home and you think you should put it together with a recipe but instead you rely on your instinct. You know what to do and you have a good time with it. This record is a bunch of different styles happening all at once – some juxtaposed and others adding up to a historical lineage or a particular take on an old tradition. In the end, though, it’s a short, simple and sweet rock record.
On the average fan who would like this music …
Someone who is independent or at least aspired to be. A free thinking person who has been rounded out by real experiences. Probably a hard working person, definitely someone from a diverse background – could be a young professional or a student or a nymphomaniac (or all three!). This person has a good record collection (or did before having to pawn it!) Most people who like music can basically understand and enjoy what I do.
Comments Off