SHIT, RAMSAY, I FORGOT ALL ABOUT THIS.
I'M SORRY.
MAYBE SOME OF WHAT FOLLOWS
WILL NOT BE TOO LATE??

Why are you doing a solo thing?

Basically I do solo work when there is time or if I have something special musically that I'm trying to work out. While SY remains the main squeeze, myself (and all the others) like to remain busy and active and involved, so we collaborate w others and do solo things too. Sometimes I see it as testing my ideas =/or mettle, because going onstage solo is so much more naked an experience than playing w an ensemble.

What can people expect from the show?

We, great sets from Fahey and No Neck, for starters. As for me, I'm not sure what I'm going to do yet. Maybe solo electric gtr, most likely, or I've been playing around w acoustic 12 string lately, might do something with that although it'd be out on a limb for me, never tried before what i have in mind, not sure if I'll have it ready in time...

What's the connection with John Fahey?
How do projects like this impact on SY?

I've been listening to and inspired by Fahey for years and years now. His early recordings for acoustic symphonic gtr were/are very inspirational to me, still. I found out about him and Tacoma records from buying (and loving) the first Leo Kotke record, which is an amazing record. From there I stepped over to fahey. also, his work w sound and texture, utilizing 'field' or 'found' recordings on his tracks was right up my alley. His current work w electric gtr and electronics, his 'resurgence' so to speak, proves him still to be an inspired and influential player.

Also, his work as a disseminator of music, first with Tacoma, and right up thru his current Revenant label, is a model for many small time indie labels.

I also want to throw in at least one contextual question about the difficulties/rewards of presenting truly alternative music to the mainstream. Do you get frustrated?

Not at all. the thing to remember/realize is that it is not the number of people listening, but how much those that do tune in get out of what one is doing. We have been led by our culture to believe that mass quantities=quality or suckcess, but it is not true. Most challenging work is done in small spaces for a limited number of people. Although there are some mainstream acts I do enjoy, those people are operating on a totally different planet, speaking a diff language, that that which myself and peers exist on. That's okay, there's room.

Do you find the audience for such music growing or shrinking?

It changes all the time. I'm not sure if it's growing but there certainly seem to be plenty of people out there looking for music which will challenge them rather than just being placated by pop pablum.

How has the industry (labels, booking agents, radio/press) changed in its attitude towards this music?

See above, but the 'industry', as usual, doesn't have much of a clue about all this music or how to approach it. They are looking for things which appeal to the lowest common denominator and which can bring in the most bux, not in innovation or experimentation or pushing envelopes. I'm not saying it's right or wrong, and it would be wrong to think in those terms, but it is another world.

What is the ultimate value of the alternative, anyway?

Shit, freeking out and having fun, for two things. Keeping faith in the future...

Personally, I think as the major labels continue to absorb each other like some grotesque farce from a Burroughs novel, the mainstream will become ever less defined and less significant. Maybe you want to comment on that.

The recent round of mergers have pointed out once again how the mainstream is ever moving towards a more homogeneous state, which is actually a good thing, because it makes more room, 'underground' if you will, for activities to happen which need not care about what the artibers of $ and taste think at all, and that keeps things healthy. After Nirvana, when the insustry came slumming, that wreaked havoc in the 'indie' community and gave a sense of false hope to many bands, which were quickly enough dashed once records did not sell. This didn't do anyone any good... Right now the undergroud is healthy and happening, so don't tell too many people...

regards,
Lee Ranaldo