Interview: John Vanderslice
The best things in life really are free. Free shows at Amoeba fall into the category of one of the reasons that living in San Francisco is totally awesome. Tomorrow (Tues.) the day that John Vanderslice’s new album, The Pixel Revolt, is released, you can hear him perform a stripped down version of some of the songs at Amoeba. Busy though he is, what with the new album and all, John acquiesced to, and completed the SFist interview process more quickly than any other interview we’ve done. SFist also managed to get our greasy little hands on a promo copy of the Pixel revolt and have had it in rotation for the last month. The fact that some of the songs are about our beloved city just make it even ever so much awesome. Go buy the album!
Is in your music been inspired by San Francisco?
Oh yeah, there are three songs on my new record specifically about San Francisco: "New Zealand Pines" takes place in the Strybing Arboretum "Dead Slate Pacific" is about the Bay and "Golden Gate" wonders why we have the world's leading suicide location.
Best venue in the city?
Great American Music Hall, Bimbo's, Independent, Fillmore
Advice for other musicians here?
Oh man, the musicians I know here are pretty damn savvy. One thing I could say with certainty: musicians need to be a lot more involved and cynical about the recording process. Anything you can buy at Guitar Center probably sucks. There is a nefarious and all-powerful digital lobby that's pushing you to buy new, disposable recording equipment that's the aural equivalent of fast food.
What do you like best about the new album?
That the nine months Scott Solter and I spent making it are over! Touring on a record is the payoff pitch.
When can fans here see you play next?
I have two shows until next spring:
August 23 | San Francisco, CA Amoeba Records, 6pm, duo
(with Dave Douglas on drums, Moog Taurus and Moog Source)
November 5 | San Francisco, CA
The Independent, full band show
Picture by Peter Hughes
Introduce yourself in one sentence
Konichiwa, yukkuri hanashi te kudasai!
Occupation
Musician/van driver/handyman at recording studio
Home Town
Gainesville, Florida
How much time have you spent in the Bay Area?
I've been here for 10 years. I own a recording studio in the Mission called Tiny Telephone. I live on Dolores and 23rd st.
Favorite website
Right now, Merlin Mann's
Favorite local business
Minnie Wilde, a kick ass clothing store run by my ex-girlfriend, Terri Olson.
What I'm currently Reading
Any one of the 27 magazines I subscribe to.
Best Deal in San Francisco
A wolverine from Arizmendi ($1.25).
Favorite mode of transportation
Walking, any place there's no cars.
Favorite local hangout
Land's End
SF has the BEST:
Air. Truly the best air of any city I've ever been in. Maybe the best light too.
You've never lived in SF until:
You've had your car window smashed for a pair of jeans, or an old Gary Numan/Tubeway Army cassette, or a Bic lighter.
Favorite Bay area politician of past or present:
For pure comedic value, Terrence Hallinan.
Now that Gavin Newsom is single, who are you going to set him up with?
Kamela Harris?
You can tell someone is a local here IF:
They don't balk at paying a majority of their income for rent.
SF would be soooo much better if only:
There were reasonable prices for parking meters. I mean this is a first rate scam... ten minutes for a quarter?
Best Burrito:
Well, this changes every week, doesn't it? How about El Metate, on Bryant and 22nd.
Best Restaurant:
I worked at Chez Panisse for five years. My quality of life took a nosedive when I left.
Best movie scene filmed in or about SF:
The Time of Your Life (1948, directed by HC Potter, Starring James Cagney). This is a near-forgotten film set in San Francisco. An arty, pre-beat masterpiece based on a William Saroyan play.
Best thing to do in the city in the summer:
If you live west of Twin Peaks: watch Turner Classic Movies and wait for the fog to lift. If you live in the Mission, enjoy your summer!
Favorite author to come out of the bay area:
Well, there are tons of great writers from here, but right now I'm really enjoying Robert Hass.
Place you always tell visitors to check out:
Ferry Building, Crystal Lake, Pescadero Beach, Conservatory of Flowers.
Favorite Bridge in the area:
The footbridge over Stow Lake to Strawberry Hill.
You have two hours and $15 bucks to kill in SF, what are you going to do?
Pakwan for lunch, and then to Tartine for coffee and pastries.
I have found/sold/bought the following on craigslist:
Well, I am totally addicted to buying recording gear so quite a lot. Assorted keyboards, guitars, mics. It's a blur, really.
I want all the SFists out there to know:
Our involvement in Iraq is a crime of the first order. Anti-war activists need to align themselves with other groups (churches, anti-government Republicans, libertarians?) to build a broader consensus.
Question you'd ask if you were doing this interview:
Why isn't there some kind of organic/whole foods store in Noe Valley? (There is a fake farmer's market now, but that doesn't count)