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Exclusive Interview with Jack Irons By: Altair Pereira Laura Jacques Translation to Portuguese: Laura Jacques Special Thanks to: Wendy Weisberg |
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Suluhiana Brasil -
You start to work on the record in 1999. What are your feelings about the finished album? Jack Irons: Yes I started to work on Attention Dimension in fall of 1999. I needed to do something creative but wasn't ready to tour and play in a band. I started to record on an ADAT with a small mixing board. After I finished a couple of tracks I realized I could finish a whole album. I then purchased some more recording gear and proceeded to record music daily for almost five years. I only took time off as needed to rejuvenate myself. I was pretty driven. SB - Make a solo record is something that you had planned to do since your first attempt on drums? JI: I only started thinking about doing a solo record of drum music in 1994, when I recorded my first piece of drum music. I really loved doing it. I actually recorded that first piece at Flea's house at the time. He had a small rehearsal/recording room in his basement and I was spending some time there. He had a 4 track cassette recorder. I really fell in love with the process . SB - How was the 'Attention Dimension' writing process? JI: The Attention Dimension writing process was much more spontaneous in the moment than actual writing. The only song I actually wrote in more of a formal manner was "Come Running". The rest of the songs started with a drum performance and then I added instruments and sounds as I wanted to hear them. SB - We choose 'Suluhiana' as the name of the website, because to our ears it sounds as a really beautiful and peaceful song. What the term and the song means to you? JI: Suluhiana means make peace with others. The actual title and vocal was one of the last things to be recorded on the song. Alain Johannes, my long time partner, sang the words. He actually suggested them as well. I asked him to find a word that he could sing that would have a peaceful meaning. He found Suluhiana and made it happen. The biggest work for me on that song is the marimba solo. I did a lot of different takes to get the solo that I wanted. SB - There is a remarkable presence of textures related with water/ocean in all Attention Dimension artwork and music. Did you wrote the songs following this "marine subject"? JI: I have always loved the ocean as well as whales and dolphins. The aquatic theme came naturally. My tattoos are also aquatic in theme. SB - Talking about your artwork. When did you get involved into art? JI: The artwork came towards the end of the mixing process. I started working on my computer with some photos and had a great time playing with effects and colors. I did what seemed right to me. SB - Did playing with different types of bands like, RHCP, Eleven, Pearl Jam and different types of musicians like, Strummer, Young influence the solo work in any way? JI: In terms of creating Attention Dimension all my musical experiences are there in some form or another. I am happy to have played with all the musicians I have played with. My musical expression is definitely a mix of what I might naturally do and all the years of influences from playing music with my friends (it would be very hard to separate that). Attention Dimension, though, is as much of my creative expression let loose as possible. SB - How was for you to record again with Flea after a long time? JI: Flea and I have always been close. I always love playing with Flea. It doesn't seem to matter how much time goes imbetween playing with any of my old friends, especially Flea and Alain. And those are the 2 musicians I have been playing music with since we were kids. Alain, Flea, Hillel and I used to play as kids and then in What Is This(our first high school band). SB - Play with the members of Pearl Jam must be something really rewarding. How did you get them involved? JI: In terms of getting the Pearl Jam guys involved, I just asked them. I hadn't seen them in quite a few years, so I showed up at a concert when they were touring. It was great to see the guys again. I asked them individually if they would be into participating with my solo record. They were happy to do so and really helped make Attention Dimension happen. SB - You finished your first solo record. What’s coming Next? You going to keep working on your solo music? JI: I am always working on music. I am not sure what will be next. I am still working on some recordings and am talking to some musicians about getting something together for live performances. It will take time to see where things land. But I am sure some sort of music will be made. SB - Did you had listened to the current Red Hot Chili Peppers' music? JI: Yes I have all the Red Hot Chili Peppers records since I have been in the band. I like all the music they do. I am proud of what they have done as a band. It is not easy to get where they gotten to. They have done a good job of making music the way we all grew up doing and keeping it real. |
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