Nine Arms recently sat down for an interview with me in the small but character-ridden studio they use for a practice space.
ME: A lot of people have been talking about your music. How do you aproach your songwriting?
JACOB:We tend to view it as a journey. Every step in our lives is a step toward an ultimate truth, and we are always struggling to capture that. We strive for artistic integrity while maintaining a sense of realism. Emotional depth is a critical factor, particularly in the song Short 'N Curly. Writing that was a very spiritual process.
ALEC:Songwriting is a cleansing experience, like candling the ears or taking enemas.
ME:What sort of things do you do to prepare for a show?
BILLY:I mostly like to find a quiet corner and warm up by playing my bass a little. Then I go and psych myself up by saying mean things to really attractive women.
ALEC:I just aimlessly follow the other two around until they point me toward the stage.
MO:Where's my beer?
ME:How long have you been playing music?
JACOB: About this long.
MO:This isn't funny, guys. Where's my beer?
ME: What are your ultimate plans for the band?
BILLY: I would like to sell out in a big way. Awards like the Grammies are nice, but cold hard cash is always the best way to express to someone how much you care about their music. Also, it would be cool if the band could make it so I might have a shot at having sex with two women at exactly the same time.
JACOB: I would like to use the band as a stepping stone to notoriety. Once I'm famous it should be easy to follow my real dream: Set up a global totalitarian theocracy centered around me. Or maybe I'll just get an acting gig.
ALEC: I don't really care so long as I get the primal joy of playing my guitar at obscene volume levels when the guys have their earplugs out.
MO: Hey, I found it!
This was absolutely the most enlightening interview I've ever conducted. Sitting in the presence of genius always gives me butterflies.
(excerpted from Modern Enlightenment magazine, June 2007)
