1.
Please introduce yourself.
Hi, I am Ian Wilson I.
2.
What
does Koak mean to you?
A vision once came to me. It was in the form of a dinosaur, but
it was also a rock. it told me, "if you're going to do anything,
it might as well be nothing." anyways, koAk is me walking
around, seeing and thinking about things, then sitting in a room
with various noise making devices and electronic machines that
alter frequencies and record sound when i push certain buttons.
3.
What are some of the things you try to communicate through your
music?
I try to communicate everything and nothing simultaneously. Other
than that, I just try to capture a feeling or idea that comes
to me at that particular moment.
4.
You recently put out your album "Morningtime Stumble"
on Halifax's Delorean Records? What attracted you to Delorean
over other possible labels?
My girlfriend (and drummer) Meg sent Shotgun Jimmie a copy of
Morningtime Stumble. He in turn sent the music to Delorean Recordings.
Matt and Stephanie from Delorean recordings got in touch with
me and they seemed like nice people so I thought it would be cool
to release the CD on their label.
5.
How has the DIY ethic influenced you, including how you go about
your business setting up tours, putting out records, etc?
The DIY ethic is great if you don’t want to compromise your
artistic vision. For years I made CD-Rs and sold them at the local
record store. For me, it’s fun to be involved in every aspect
of the creation of an album of music. It’s the business
side of things that I would just as soon ignore, or let someone
else take care of.
6.
Could you talk a bit about musical background? When did folk/noise/whatever
come into play?
When I was a little kid I made some tapes on a Fisherprice recording
machine. I played a casio keyboard or a 3 string guitar, which
produced some weird lo-fi rock noise sounds. In high school I
played in Surf-rock/Punk bands and then started to get really
into psychedelic music. Today when I make koAk music, I don’t
try to sound like anything other than what I am inspired to do.
From one album to the next, my sound usually changes quite a bit.
7.
You're set to play Sappyfest in Sackville, New Brunswick this
coming August. What advice can you give you Sappyfest first timers
who hope to get as much music in as possible over the weekend?
Drink beer and watch the music. That’s about it.
8.
You recently did a little tour with Toronto's The Ghost Is Dancing
and are still on the road, I was wondering how the tour is going
and is it difficult to take time off and put life on hold? How
are you able to handle it monetarily, emotionally, etc?
I don’t know how it happened, but my life has become a bizarre
odyssey and now I just hide out in the country. It just seemed
natural to go and play some shows, see a bit of the world.
9.
Any interesting stories from the tour? What was the best city
/ best venue to play?
The tour provided many unique opportunities for me, including
playing guitar accompanied by fans and smoke machines. A life
long dream. PEI, despite the lack of smoke-machines, was actually
a highlight of the tour. That island knows how to rock.
10.
What are your five records to listen to while on the road?
Part of the Koak tour was a stop in Ottawa to see brian Wilson.
We listened to a lot of beach boys stuff. Name 5 beach boys albums.
Pretty good driving music.
11.
What's up next for Koak?
Can’t wait to suck at Sappy fest. Should be a good time.
After that, I’m going into hiding for a while. Probably
leave the country.
12.
What is your favourite thing about living in New Brunswick?
The trees.
13.
How can ppl contact you?
koakkid@yahoo.com. Or just shout very loudly in a southernly direction.
14.
Any final words?
This interview has been a pleasure, now it’s snack time.
