Ian Fitzgerald

Q & A

In this new feature, Ian answers questions from audience members or submitted by e-mail. To participate, submit your question.

2.29.08

In this edition, I’ll be answering a batch of question sent in by Brian Battles, an inquisitive fan from Plymouth, MA. Thanks for the questions, Brian.

Q: What did you think of IN RAINBOWS?
A: In rainbows, I think a spectrum of light appears in the sky as a result of sunlight shining on drops of moisture in the earth’s atmosphere. Incidentally, you can create a rainbow by facing away from the sun and spraying a continuous mist of water in front of you; one short step, and you may actually find yourself in a rainbow. Perhaps you were referring to something else, though.

Q: What type of Ipod do you have and what color is it?
A: I don’t own one, which means it is colorless. It is also, theoretically, odorless, shapeless, and tasteless, making it the carbon monoxide of my personal electronics collection (and not the only thing about me that’s tasteless, by a long shot). For the record, I still listen to music on the go the same way I always have: I carry around a gramophone and a stack of 78s.

Q: Have you considered putting a band together for your live performances?
A: Constantly. Do you know anybody who’s interested?

11.28.07

Q: Do you have any plans to do something resembling a tour? -Wayne; Boston, MA
A: Oh shoot, man, a tour. I knew I was forgetting something. And here I’ve been letting the bus just sit in the driveway and rust.

Q: Why don’t you play any cover songs? -unsigned e-mail
A: First of all, this question suggests a certain lack of confidence in, if not affection for, my own songs. Second of all, you have to be on the lookout for them, but the cover songs are not entirely absent from my repertoire. Among those I’ve offered up this year alone: "Chelsea Hotel No. 2" (Leonard Cohen); "Ticket To Ride" (The Beatles); "Silver Wings" (Merle Haggard); "Train Leaves Here This Morning" (Dillard & Clark); and even a disastrous take on "Wichita Lineman" (Jimmy Webb). I’ll blog if I think of more.

Q: How do you come up with the ideas for your ridiculous podcasts? -Cindy Lou Who; Whoville
A: To be honest, Cindy, the obvious similarities between Ms. Winehouse’s hit single and Giant Glass’s hit jingle have been clawing at me for months. When we decided to add the podcast feature to the site, I could think of nothing better to broadcast than the truth. The resemblance of that passage of the Ryan Adams song to the theme song to Family Ties has always ruined the former for me because it reminds me of the latter. Actually, strike that: it doesn’t exactly "ruin" it for me since it’s a fairly middling song to begin with.

(Editor’s note: Yes, the e-mail containing the above question was signed "Cindy Lou Who; Whoville," and yes, the estate of Theodor Geisel has been notified.)

11.15.06

Ian answers a few questions that have been kicking around for a while.....

Q: Why do you mention Courtney Love in one of your songs? - various
A: Since none of my songs contain references to the Cobain widow and former Hole frontwoman, I can only assume you’ve misheard the words "courtly love" in "The Thin Line At Midnight." You can read all about it here and here.

Q: Why does iTunes say Torn Up Routes is a country record? - Terry; Kingstown, RI
A: While that’s not the designation I would have chosen, I am in no real position to argue with Steve Jobs. Since it’s my understanding that Mr. Jobs listens to every album made available through iTunes, I will have to defer to his judgment.

Q: When will your next CD be available? - various
A: A popular question. Though it was included in the very first q&a six months ago, the answer has changed since then. The songs are written: now they just need to be recorded; artwork must be completed; CDs must be pressed, packaged, and delivered. So...soon.

Q: What’s with the gnomes? - various
A: Elves and dwarves wouldn’t have made a lick of sense.

Q: Why did you decide to make the lyrics readable on your website? - Alison; Fall River, MA
A: So people would stop asking me about the readability of the lyrics on the website.

07.05.06

Q: Who is from Santa Cruz? - Rus; via e-mail
A: Good question. For a complete answer, check here.

Q: Is "Listen For The Fire" about a car crash? - Jenny; via e-mail
A: "Listen For The Fire" is about the sound a furnace makes when it turns on. Nothing more.

Q: Did Vance Gilbert really say that? And if so, did he really say it about you? - Joanne; via e-mail
A: Well, Vance Gilbert says a lot of things, but I’ll assume you’re referring to the quote on the (old) very first page of this site. Yes, he did say that. Yes, he was talking about me. I even double-checked with him, because I didn’t believe it either. He said it after hearing me perform "Concrete Mirror" this past April. Incidentally, Vance has a new record coming out this August. It’s called Angels, Castles, Covers; it includes Vance’s takes on songs by Joni Mitchell, Aretha Franklin, and Jimi Hendrix, among others.

Q: Do you feel uncomfortable having your lyrics on T-shirts?
- Lindsay; via e-mail
A: If you’re wondering about some recondite concept of artistic integrity, you should know that any lyrics that show up on the shirts have already been rejected by Hallmark, American Greeting, and BlueMountain.com e-cards. If you’re asking a more practical question, then please note that these fine shirts are made from 100% cotton, all but guaranteeing utter comfort to even the most discerning shopper and music fan.

06.02.06

Q: I can’t help but believe that all of the people who supposedly asked you questions were entirely made up. - Bethany; Idaho
A: That’s not really a question. Anyway, if that’s true, then what does that make you?

Q: You should include some live video on your site along with all the photographs. - Martin; New York City
A: That’s not really a question either. In response though, I am not in possession of the few performance videos that have been recorded. I do, however, have a music video for the song "Arizona Bound" which was made by independent filmmaker Matthew Weber, and it’s the best kind of music video: I’m not in it. Once we figure out how to put that up on the site without tearing the rest of it down, I promise we’ll do it.

Q: Do you know that no one can read the lyrics you have on here for Torn Up Routes? - various
A: Did you know that you can hear every word by listening to the record? [note: problem remedied by site redesign]

Q: How does your photographer manage to continue taking breath-taking photographs without absolutely going crazy from her pure genius? - Erin; Providence, RI
A: While I wouldn’t call her "my photographer," I do agree that Catherine Maldonado has taken some great pictures for me, including live shots and the cover photo for the last record.

5.15.06

Q: Why is "William The Conqueror" called "William The Conqueror?" - Maureen; Woonsocket, RI
A: You can learn more about William The Conqueror here.

Q: When will your next CD be available? - Tim; via e-mail
A: For the five or six of you anticipating a new record, you’ll probably have to wait through the summer. A few more songs need to be written.

Q: How can I get a copy of your first record? Is Missing Silver available online? - various
A: Missing Silver is not available online, simply due to logistics. You can usually find it for sale at live performances.

Q: What is Character Assassination, mentioned on your Archives page? - Jesse; via -mail
A: Character Assassination was a collection of songs written in the month following the initial recording sessions for Missing Silver. The dozen or so songs were to be recorded with an upright bass player and, possibly, a drummer. The idea was to have a second album recorded before the first one was even finished. But the best laid plans...