Interview with Jacknife Lee

• 10th Aug 2007

To serve only as a fleeting insight into the prolific producer, re-mixer and performer Garret Noel Lee, AKA Jacknife Lee, I’m going to start my article with a statement from the man himself. I felt inclined to include this as I feel it illustrates JLs grounded and matter of fact view of the music business, a business which plays host to too many people who are all too ready and willing to climb up their own, regularly kissed and hyped up asses.

JL: ‘Fiction asked me to come up with a press release for my record. I don't want to say anything about it. I don't see why it's necessary. You'll listen (or not) and if you need facts/fiction to reinforce an opinion you can Google / Wikipedia it up. I've never been impressed enough by a press release to get excited before I hear a record. There's a tendency now to explain and expose everything. That I don't like, so I'm not doing it. Musicians and artists are rarely interesting when talking about their own work and music journalism is not at its grandest peak. I prefer the blog, upload, download, like, dislike’.

On the verge of releasing his fourth, self titled album, JL kindly answered a few questions of mine, reflecting his earthed opinions with his somewhat frank and feisty attitude.

AS: WHO keeps you sane throughout your manic workload?

JL: I HAVE A FANTASTIC LIFE. I’M DOING EXACTLY WHAT I WANT. TOMORROW I‘M HAVING A PARTY AND THE SUN WILL SHINE. I WILL COOK AND PLAY ON A TRAMPOLINE AND MAYBE TAKE A SWIM. LISTEN TO MUSIC, LAUGH AND THEN SLEEP.

AS: WHERE did you draw inspiration for your sites sinister sounds and imagery?

JL: THERE IS A DARK HOLE IN ALL OF US. I LIKE IT IN THERE. SECRETS.

AS: WHAT surprises does your new LP hold for your faithful fans?

JL: I HAVE NO FAITHFUL FANS. I’VE BEEN TOO CHOPPY TO FOLLOW ANYWHERE. IF YOU'RE SURPRISABLE YOU'LL BE SURPRISED AND IF NOT, NOTHING WILL SURPRISE.

AS: WHY do you choose the projects you choose?

JL: I'VE BEEN VERY INTERESTED IN ALL THE PEOPLE I'VE WORKED WITH BEFORE HOOKING UP WITH THEM. I ONLY CHOOSE ARTISTS THAT I WOULD BUY RECORDS OF. OTHERWISE IT'S TOO MERCENARY FOR ME. THEY ARE ALL VERY VERY GOOD AT WHAT THEY DO.

AS: WHEN it all gets too much, you sneak off to…

JL: SEW TOY RABBITS, COOK AND PLAY WITH MY KIDS.

AS: WERE you, in any capacity, aware of your popularity growth in your early career?

JL: I STARTED PLAYING GIGS WHEN I WAS 14, DO YOU MEAN THAT EARLY? IF SO, THE ANSWER IS NO. ANYWAY, I AM NOT POPULAR. SOME OF THE PEOPLE I WORK WITH ARE AND THAT CAN CONFUSE THE PERCEPTION OF ME.

AS: WHICH personality/celebrity/'rock' star would you most like to take down, mid concert, with your sniper rifle?

JL: NONE OF THEM IMPACT MY LIFE WHATSOEVER. CELEBRITIES DO NOT ENTER MY RADAR SCREEN IF I CAN HELP IT.

AS: WAS imprinting your own sound on your new album tricky, with all your current side projects floating around in your head?

JL: NO. THE SAME AS WHEN YOU MEET YOUR FAMILY, YOU DON'T CONFUSE YOUR GRANDMOTHER WITH YOUR COUSIN FRANK.

AS: WILL you be touring globally, if at all, to promote the new LP?

JL: NO, CERTAINLY NOT. I DON'T EVEN WANT TO GO OUT OF MY HOUSE. I'LL EMAIL THIS TO PROMOTE MY RECORD.

AS: WONT your past come back to haunt you?

JL: THAT IS A DAFT QUESTION.

Thanks for your time Mr. Lee.

‘Jacknife Lee’ is available on CD and vinyl on the 20th of August with his new single ‘Making Me Money’ preceding it by a week, released on the 13th of August. See the site below for full details.

link