1. Please introduce Husband/Knife.
This is my outlet for dark, expression. It is a way for me to
say things that are on my mind. I see a lot shit in everyday life
that inspires me, generally the emptiness and desperation of being
human, in a lost world.
2. What is your musical background? When did punk/folk/whatever
come into play?
I’ve gone through so many styles of music
in my life, but I have always had pretty strong views about motives
behind art. I
get bored very fast and generally stick
to what I feel is sincere, especially when deciding if I like
what other people
do. I have always related to the honesty and primal nature of
punk. In answering your question I’d have to say as soon as I
found about bands like DK, Black Flag, Minor Threat, all of a
sudden I realized music was a form of true expression, and is
about unleashing raw feeling without having to censor yourself
too much. The approach I take with Husband and Knife follows this
way of thinking. Folk to me is like blues which I think is like
punk, where you just lay it on the line, vulnerable and naked.
It is not about what’s trendy, or how many handkerchiefs you can
fit in your ass or up my nose.
3. How would you describe your music to someone that has yet
to hear it?
I would say that it is dark, revealing folk, for people who like
simplicity and straight lyrics. It may bother you if you like
to hide under big fluffy snuggle blankets and listen to wishy-washy
colouring book pop.
4. What is it that drives you to play music?
It is hard to explain this one. I wake up in the morning, and
I start thinking about music and throughout the day I struggle
to listen to what people say to me, because I’m thinking about
music until I finally fall asleep, and then my dreams take over.
And I have written songs in my dreams as well. They are usually
riffs for ‘The Hold’.
5. Is it easy for you to go out there and play in front of
an audience? What's your ideal show situation?
It depends what band I am in and where I am playing. Considering
this interview is about ‘The Husband’ I’d have to say this act
is the hardest live act for me. It takes the most out of me. It
is one thing to plow through tough hardcore riffs (The Hold) or
hide behind a drumset (Dog Day) or wear panty hose on my face
and scream like a retarded drug addict (Attack Mode), but to play
semi sensitive and depressing songs on a guitar in front of a
bunch of people that easily could have a conversation over you
can be a trying situation. For H/K I like playing small café shows
to open minded people who are there to take it in.
6. Is there anything specific you try to communicate through
your music?
I like to expose the harsh realities that others like to ignore,
in a way I celebrate these issues. I don’t like to repress ideas,
I don’t like to care about how other people are gonna deal. Forget
about it, this project is for me and for those who relate to my
world in any way. Believe me, it is good to be received well,
but I try not to let this motivate my work. I think that that
mindset is lame.
7. Do you think it's necessary for independent musicians and
bands to have a form of ethics?
I guess that is subjective. My ethics are more about being yourself
and saying what’s in your head. I think I’m a good person in some
respects and I feel the most ethical thing to do is to be honest.
8. How did you get involved with Divorce Records?
Well, my brother Chik and I have been playing music and putting
out our own albums since we were like 8 and 10, so it was a natural
move for us. He is much more of an administrative type than I
am so he really kicked the label into gear in the last few years,
but running our own label was always meant to happen. We are DIY
blooded.
9. When do you think the best moment to listen to a Husband/Knife
record is?
When you are laying your head down, or driving on the highway
at night.
10. If you had to choose a Husband/Knife song for a mixtape
that included Matt&Kim, Japanther, Little Wings, and Dog Day
which song would you choose and why?
Probably ‘Had To die’ because it would stick out.
11. What future plans do you have?
I’m finishing up a full length right now ‘An End’ and I wanna
put it out in October on Divorce. As far as shows, right now Dog
Day is busy so I’ll probably open for us when I can.
12. How can ppl contact you?
www.divorcerecords.ca
www.myspace.com/husbandandknife
13. Any final words?
Thanks for asking me questions I wanted to answer.
