Additional Q & A with Erik Appelwick from the desk of JG Everest:
Well, Erik Appelwick's Sept 27 appearance on Making Music was slightly impeded by the malfunction (or nonfunction) of his 4-track recorder, which was to be the center of our conversation...aw poo! But our conversation still yielded some interesting insights on music and art. The comment that sticks in my mind most vividly is when Erik answered my question about giving advice to people wanting to make music themselves. He said there are a million reasons people make music - some do it for the lifestyle, the image, the social aspects, - but for him he just loves creating musically, and writing songs, and since high school has been addicted to it - he said if you're spending 4 hours a day, everyday, on making music, that's about what it takes - obsession, addiction to the craft. Erik's first album was KISS ALIVE, the double live album from the face-painted icons of the '70s. His second album was KISS ALIVE II. He remembers jumping on his bed, rocking out to those albums. Erik played some ELO and explained how he loves the grand scale of Jeff Lynne's arrangements in short pop songs. After the show, I asked Erik a few extra questions. Here are his answers:
1) If you could collaborate musically with anyone, who would it be?
Jeff Tweedy
2) What Minnesota artists have been your biggest inspiration/ influence? What about them had an impact?
Prince, The Replacements. I got Purple Rain when I was in Jr. High and I thought it was the best album ever at the time. The manic party sexy vibe thing was kinda shocking at the time. I listened to the Replacements a lot through college but didnt get into them until they made their last album. Westerberg's songwriting I guess is what made an impression on me the most. The guy can write a song.
3) What is your current favorite song that you wrote and why? Whatever song I wrote last is usually my favorite until I write the next one.
4) If you were the host of Making Music, who would be your first guest? William Shatner