FENTON LAWLESSinterview |
the fenton lawless interview |
fenton -- hello fenton -- Brad -, are you there? Brad - Yes fenton --How are you? Brad - Fine How are you - fenton --okay Brad - Cool- what have you been up to? fenton - I've been busy trying to Produce a liitle movie that I optioned. Brad - Really- what kinda movie? what is it about? Are you the star? fenton - It's a romantic comedy that takes place in Italy. And no, I am not a star. Brad - Are you still working on your music as well? fenton - Oh yes, I just did a half hour gig at the Sidewalk Sunday night, performing songs I have not done live before. Or have rarely performed. Brad - Did you write the movie? I am interested in what one would do when they produce a movie- I don't think i have ever talked to someone who was in that process fenton - No, I did not write the movie, I purchased the rights. Prepared a budget, and shopped the project to entities that may have an interest in financing. Brad - Ahhh- So you are shopping the movies to studios, or financial institutions? Is this the forst movie that you have done this for? fenton - No, years a go I produced and directed a documentory on subway graffitti that made a little noise. Then a few years later I began to act, and I made friends that Produce, and I've been involved since. fenton - The process is a long one. Brad - I did a project in my undergrad art history class about outsider art which included subway graffitti art. That is cool! I can imagine that start to finish it would be a long one! Brad - Which have you been involved with longer- acting or music? fenton - Well, it's a business of a thousand no's, and one magic yes.You have to develope thick skin, and patience. Brad -- When did you come to Nyc and how long have you been in music? fenton - I came to New York in 1969 to study acting. I turned down a part on Broadway(Man of LaMancha) 'cause I thought it was lame. fenton - I was very idealistic. Then a girlfriend bought me a guitar, and I taught my self to play. I worked in jingle in the 70's. fenton - Then I left music for fifteen years. I gues my biggest jingle was Popeye's Fried Chicken. Hogan is rewoking my web page, and I'll have some mp3's of some of my jingles. Funny stuff. Brad - i bet! Brad - What was the first song that you wrote fenton - Yea, back then the jingle business was huge here in New York. Most musicians supported themselves that way. fenton - "Don't You Hide From Me" Brad - so when you were in the jingle business were you giging as well? fenton - No.l In fact I only started playing live last year at the Sidewalk. Brad - Really-! so you have been on the antifolk scene or radar fro 5 years now? How did you get hooked up with it? fenton - Repeat please Brad - Really-! so you have been on the antifolk scene or radar fro 5 years now? How Brad - did you get hooked up with it? fenton - No. I ostarted playing at The Sidewalk last year. Brad - oh oh oh- I read completly wrong- but how did you get hooked up with it and was it weird to start 30 years after you picked up the guitar? fenton - I tried walking in more than once, but was alienated so I left. I really feel for the newcomers on Monday nights. fenton - I just felt compelled to expierance playing live, and face the fear. Brad - SO you came and watch first then you had to do it. Was it a fear and what was the first time you played there like fenton - No, I came in and left. Actually it was Joie who cornered me, and told me I should stay. I thought to myself, "who is this guy with green hair"? I stayed and played, and had a great time. fenton - After I played, Lach was very gracious, and I kept coming back. Brad - DO you enjoy it, or is there still some fear there? fenton - I enjoy it very much. I get a little nervous sometimes, but it usually is connected to doing a new song. Brad - so that recent show was a little hairy? when you played mostly new songs? fenton - I booked myself on a Sunday night at 8:00pm for a half hour. So the stakes were lower. No pressure to fill the room.I recommend that. Brad - Do you talk music shop with anyone on the scene? Has performing live affected your songwriting? fenton - I talk about music and the scene to some people. Less now than I did before. I've hit a wall of sorts. Brad - what do you mean? Brad - by wall? fenton - When I first arrived at the Sidewalk, I heard some wonderful songs and saw incredible potential in some of the performers. I really believe in the talent down here. Brad - How does that make you hit the wall? fenton - What I mean I suppose is that there is an attitude that seems to resist that a world exists off Avenue A. I don't want to come off too cranky here. fenton - The scene needs to be more accessible to the outside world. Brad - I am the outside world fenton - Some people are trying very hard to do this. And yes YOU are to be commended for all your effotrs. I admire that. Brad - not really efforts- cause it is fun for me! I feel lucky i get to hear some great music along the way. What is antifolk to you and what do you want it to be? fenton - Antifolk to me is a place where anyone's music is allowed. A place that nurtures the songwriter regarless of race, color, religion, or age. fenton - I want us all to look outside ourselves, and support those who have the guts to put it out there. Brad - what songwritters have influenced you fenton - On the scene? Or in general? Brad - general fenton - Randy Newman, Merle Haggard, Dylan, Paul Simon,Irving Berlin,Lennon/McCartney, Adam Green. Brad - WHat kinds of things do you get from them? fenton - Well, the one thread that runs through them is that the seem to write who and what they are. Brad - write what you know right! fenton - No false anger, no pretense to intellegence, and they attemp to entertains us in the process. Brad - How do you keep in touch with your softer gentler side? fenton - There are some good craftsmen out there, I I need to believe you. fenton - Easy. In fact I feel that there are not enough love songs ou there. You can really know someone by there love songs. fenton - Vulnerability is not a four letter word. Brad - So you are saying wear your heart on your sleeve fenton - Where your heart wherever the fuck you want. It's your heart. Don't be afraid to love. fenton - Let me inside. Tell me who you are. Brad - What have been the great loves in your life? Ever been married? fenton - I got married last year. I have maybe 2 real loves in my time. But Lenoard Chen knows what he sings "In My Secret Life". fenton - Cohen fenton - Lenord Cohen, boys and girls. fenton - Lenoard Cohen. fenton - I cannot spell his name. Brad - I can't spell anything. WHat would your best friends say the real Fenton Lawless is like? fenton - "In My Secret Life" I have loved alot. fenton - Loyal,honest,tenacious,tempermental,funny, angry, and a great fuck. Brad - what was the funniest thing that you have done> fenton - I actually did stand up for a while, and I'm not sure if I could reount my greatest comedy moment, but, fenton - "I Wanna Be Your Dawg" seems to get a laugh or two. Brad - Yeah- how bout a funny story fenton -> Geez Brad - yep fenton - Wanna hear a Harrison Ford story? Brad - sure- air force one? fenton - My first day in the set, I had a scene with him. It in the morning. And after a take or two, he said "I smell a cigar" fenton - Now the set is packed with talwnt and crew, so I say, yea. It's me. fenton - And he says, "it's ten o'clock in the morning" fenton - And I say, "So"? fenton - So Harrison says, "My wife won't let me smoke a cigar until after dinner". fenton - So I say, " Then you got to ask yourself a question". fenton - Harrisons says "What?' fenton - I say "Who's in charge". Brad - hahahaha fenton - A big moment of silence---------then the whole place erupts in to laughter. fenton - Next morning, 7:30 am, someone's banging on my trailer door. It's Harrison Ford. fenton - He hands me a Cohiba and says"Light 'em up". fenton - Good guy. No bullshit. Brad - Sounds pretty cool fenton - He is a case study in being a professioal, and humble. He is grateful, and nows how fortunate he is. fenton - Success is so much harder than failure. Brad - I think so fenton - "Ther's no success like failure, and failure ain't no success at all". Brad - who says that? fenton - Dylan Brad - ahhh fenton - Bob Dylan Brad - i should have known that fenton - So who's the best songwriter on the scene? Brad - who? fenton - I asked you. Brad - who do i think? fenton - I asked you first. Brad - i don't know - i guess my fave songwriter on the scene would have to be the guy that got me into antifolk- Roger Manning fenton - Never heard him. fenton - Oh wait, I saw him live Brad - i love his stuff i think it is soo poetic Brad - who do you think is fenton - I wrote a song called "I Dare You Not To Like Me". I thought he'd be a perfect poster boy for that tune. Brad - really fenton - Excluding myself? Brad - sure fenton - Well, and not in this order, and based on my criteria stated earlier. fenton - The criteria being Do I beieve you: Kimya, just for her 9/11 song alone. Adam Green, because he's just too damn young to be that good. fenton - Joie dbg, sometimes inspite of his presentation, Danny Kelly, fenton - Lach has the goods, but I don't get the inside of him, if you know what I mean. fenton - Jordan Corbin, Diane Cluck, James Broughel is gonna be something. fenton - The Baby Skins could go all the way. Solo. fenton - You there? Brad - Yep Obviously i think that there is tremendous talent and creativity on the scene fenton - So waddya think? Brad - about the scene? Brad - whta would i like to see? fenton - What other ground do you want to cover? fenton - Who's the sexiest woman on the scene? fenton - Sexiest man? Brad - how bout 911- we just had an anniversary of it and i was right by the pentagon all week. What were your thought then and have they changed since- you covered some of this in "faith in America" Brad - I am married and have not been around people on the scene long enough to answer anyway- haveing only been to NYC a couple of times fenton - I feel the same. I covered some ground in that song. The third verse covers the corporate scandal that came to be. fenton - The world is so dangerous. There are people out there that will die to kill us. All in the name of You Kow Who. fenton - It's all so bleek. That's why you gotta love, baby. fenton - Don't be afraid to love. ( And I don't mean you Brad -). Brad - Currently I am working with the Navy and i went to there ceremony that they had on the base to remember those lost Brad - Amazingly I have secret clearance- (not top secret) which i think only enatailed a credit check fenton - Yea, we need a Navy. And an Army, and Air Force. And leaders with a common touch, so they get us all dead. fenton - I did a google search on you. When did you change your name from Mohammed? Brad - They have me in there cause the navy is downsizing its corparate division and wants help in doing so Brad - last year fenton - For a Saudi national, you speek very good Enlish, Brad -. Brad - My friends still call me that Brad - Vanessa is from Venezuela fenton - The ones you met at flight training school? Brad - no i work with the water treatment plant fenton - It's all there on Google. Brad - and fertilizer as well fenton - Hey, I want to give a shout out about Joe Bendik. Writes good songs. Brad - Joe is AMAZING and has been so to my site fenton - I wish he'd give up yhe cafeinne. fenton - But his songs are real songs. Brad - When was the best sex you ever had? Brad - not by yourself either fenton - Back in the day, when sex wasn't a death sentence-coke was legal-and non addictive, I had some great bathroom sex. Brad - what do you think of drugs now? Brad - "don't do drugs kids or you may have to do a commercial just like this one" fenton - I don't. Haven't drank or drugged for almost 16 years. But the sex is still great. Brad - what was the worst that you have treated someone and regretted it ever since or have you? fenton - Wow...... fenton - The way I have treated myself when I was younger. The self doubt, the self loathing. The low self esteem.. fenton - I have forgiven myself, but what a waste of time. Brad - Self doubt about what? fenton - Self centered fear is the enemy of the young. And old. Most lives I encounter are fear driven. Brad - what are yout biggest fears now? fenton - I take many more chances on myself now. Brad - what do you mean? fenton - I'm not afraid , not really anymore. I get anxious , and sometimes want what I can't have.But I know how to pull myself back, and get right sized. Brad - What do you want that you can't have? fenton - All kinds of things: The lead role in a Godather movie, my thirites back, one night with my secret crush. Brad - Can you tell me who your secret crush is? fenton - Merle Haggard has a great song"Wishing All These Old Things Were New". Brad - Jonathan richman has a song called that summer feeling fenton - No. It would only embarasss somebody I like, and repect too much. Brad - Ok how bout giving them a fake name? fenton - No clues here. I know how to keep a secret. Brad - I wasn't even really asking for a clue fenton - It's just a fantasy. But who knows? Brad - i hears ya- What is the newest song you have written? Brad - ans any bout your crush out there> fenton - A song called "Rain". It's about expectations,and seeing your part in your disappointments. Brad - I know I am missin out not being able to see you live often! fenton - On on Larry King next Wednesday night. Check me out. Brad - What you gunna be on for fenton - He's doing a show on 9/11 songs. It's gonna be me, Bruce, Paul Anka, and Dolly Parton so far. Brad - cool- Brad - Are you gunna get to perform? fenton - Okay. I'm lying. Another thing I can't have. Brad - GULLIBLE Brad - + Brad - = fenton - Forgive me. Brad - ME Brad - I'll get you back when you don't expect it Brad - I can pull "white lies" off Brad - You got any questions for me? fenton - Revenge is for the weak. Let's move on, it the spiritaul thing to do, Brad -. fenton - There must be someone you want to get it on with. Who is it? fenton - I won't tell the wife. Brad - if it mean spirited revenge maybe it is week- but within the spirit of fun it can be healthy Brad - She doesn't read these things i think so i can say... fenton - Do tell....... Brad - i am thinking- it is not something i generally think about fenton - You lying bastard!! Brad - I am not lying fenton - I mean that with all respect. fenton - Can you change my name to lower case on the web site? Brad - First loves are always a mystery i suppose i wonder what it would have been like to get with Karolyn Dunn fenton - Did her. Kinda passive. Brad - Everywhere it appears? fenton - yes. Brad - no she was a hellcat left me for a girl my pal was datin fenton - lower case esteem, remember. fenton - She was gay? Brad - I don't know? she broke my heart then i didn't see her after that- she broke up ith me the day that two of my friends got into a wreck, one died the other went into a coma, not a good day fenton - geez.....sounds like you are better off. Brad - She definatly experimented with both sexes though Brad - Yeah Vanessa is all i really want fenton - If she left you for a girl your friend dated. Brad - If vanessa left me i would be very very sad- I would need all the peeps i know to cheer my ass up fenton - Well, Woody and Soon-Yi's car has arrived downstairs. We got a 9:00 table at Elaine's. Brad - 5 quick ones Brad - ? Brad - chunky or smooth peanut butter? fenton - smooth, 25% less fat Skippy's. Brad - is sex better as you get older? fenton - A qualified yes. Brad - What would your lifes story be called? fenton - " The All American Loser" Brad - What is better knowing what you want and getting it or finding it out as you get it fenton - hmmm.... fenton - I guess I believe it's all about the journey. But I think you can have alittle of both. Brad - Last one- Favorite animal? fenton - Are you kidding? Dogs Brad - mine to thank you so much for doing this I hope it was fun for you- And i will talk to ya soon be good! fenton - It was fun. All the best. |
