Interview with Sean P of the C.Spaniels

If you follow me on Twitter you already know that I LOVE the C. Spaniels. Sean is an excellent artist with a flair on the guitar that I think many (most) indie artists lack. Also he actually writes interesting lyrics that I can relate to. Back when I was working the job-of-doom I would listen to his CD on repeat for days.

A hundred years ago I asked Sean to answer a couple of questions for me so I could gush over his band in my blog. About fifty years ago he responded. And finally we have the question up for reals. W00t!

 
Also if you have a chance you should take part in Sean's side/artistry funding project: Cookie Baking. I swear those cookies are AMAZING!


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1) How did you first experience music?

 

My first music-related memory dates back to age five, when I first saw my biological father (who deejayed in his spare time) manipulating two turntables and a mixer.  I started seizing every opportunity I could to plunder his vinyl collection and teach myself how to mix and scratch when he wasn't around.  

 

2) When and how did you decide to start playing?

 

I started singing and writing songs when I was five years old, around the same time I started using turntables.  My writing process consisted of singing whatever came to my head into a tape recorder.  I didn't play "real" instruments until I started grade school.  My parents bought me my first cheap keyboard, and my fourth grade music teacher taught me how to play recorder.  I picked up guitar and bass in sixth grade, and drums a year or two afterward.

 

3) What, if any, genre/scene/category would you put to your music?

 

I half-jokingly call my music "Afro-Christian noise-pop."  My writing and vocal delivery is influenced by both the emotion and melisma of R&B and gospel and the Sprechtstimme of rap and punk, and I try to arrange my songs with both a strong sense of melody and a emphasis on odd sounds.

 

4) Who would you consider your influences (musically and otherwise)?

 

My five main influences are Prince, the Beatles, Robert Pollard, J Dilla and My Bloody Valentine.  The first three inspire me to break free from genre restrictions, and to always write good melodies; the last two inspire me to manipulate sound however I can.  Pollard also taught me the importance of brevity and concision, and of doing the most with whatever tools are at hand.

 

5) Which do you prefer touring and/or recording?

 

I used to have terrible stage fright due to getting booed @ a few too many high school talent shows, but that's gone now.  I'm a confident, if admittedly raw, performer, and I get a genuine thrill out of playing live.  However, I still prefer recording because it's the most involved, intense and magical component of my creative process.  I don't feel as if my songs have truly taken shape until I can hear them played back to me.

 

6) Any advice to independent artist trying to make their passion their life?

 

You don't have to suffer to make great art.  Don't be afraid to get a non-artistic job to pay the bills; as long as you maintain a balance between your job and your passion, you'll be okay.  If you must choose between the two, though, ALWAYS go with your passion.  I currently have a great full-time job doing accounting for a landscaping company, with a boss who respect my music enough to let me tour from time to time.  I wasn't always this blessed, though: I've quit numerous jobs to pursue my passion.  I don't regret any of it, though.

 

7) What is your favorite piece that you've done so far (in your band and/or any others)?

 

"Sometimes You've Gotta Fight to Get a Bit of Peace," the Cocker Spaniels album I finished recording last year, is the first piece of music I've done that I can listen to from beginning to end for pleasure.  I'm proud of it in every conceivable way, even with the knowledge that my best work is still ahead of me.  Second place goes to "Crown + Anchor," an album by my good friend Alex Dupree's Trapdoor Band.  I played drums and bass on it, and helped write background vocals and string arrangements.  It was both an honor and a pleasure to add something extra to Alex's already brilliant songs.

 

8) Where can people find out more about you, your music, and your movement?

 

My extremely janky website is www.cspaniels.com, and I promise to comprehensively update it before the spring.  Until then, you're better off checking my MySpace profile (www.myspace.com/cspaniels), my Sonicbids EPK (www.sonicbids.com/thecockerspaniels), and/or my personal blog (seanpadilla.tumblr.com).

 

9) Isn't it fun to be a feminist-identified male-bodied individual in the music biz?

 

Yes, but only because I love music and women.  Dealing with sexist jerks can be a drag, but I'm sure it would be worse if I wasn't male-bodied.

 

10) Name five people/bands/bloggers/writers/whatever that people need to be paying more attention to.

 

My friend Anthony, who performs under the name Fat Tony (www.myspace.com/fattonyrap), and my friend Michael, who performs under the name B L A C K I E (www.myspace.com/blackieblackieblackie), are the best underground hip-hop MCs in Houston, in my opinion.  Bassey Ikpi (www.myspace.com/basseyworld) is my favorite contemporary spoken word poet.  The Weird Weeds (www.weirdweeds.com) are my favorite rock band in Austin, and Young Mammals (www.myspace.com/youngmammals) are my favorite rock band in Houston.

 

<3

Sean P