Sadly, I missed Waterfront Wednesday last week and didn’t get a chance to see Ben Sollee (car troubles/scheduling kept me from going). However, I will be seeing him tomorrow as he kicks off Fourth Street Live’s Homegrown Music Series with Wodka and The Instruction. Since the show is free, there’s no reason not to attend.

He plans on performing Dear Kanye — an ode to the college dropout himself — a song that’s kicked up a bit of internet dust, as it were. Sollee took some time to discuss the song, give advice about throwing stuff at people and tell us which cities don’t suck.

Dear Kanye is a poignant and entertaining bit of commentary (as you’ve previously mentioned), but on a simpler level it’s a great song. You seemed to imply that you wrote and recorded the song pretty quickly. How long did you actually spend writing/recording the song? How does it compare in terms of the amount of time/care/consideration you take when writing other songs?
The thought of the song occurred to me in the heat of the moment at Bonaroo. Once I sat down to work it came together over two days. I recorded it after a late night session in Nashville in a quiet room on my garage band. I sent it off to my manager, Jeffrey Smith, and a few other people on my team for fun and by the time I got back up to Louisville it seemed like it was everywhere.

I really do think Dear Kanye is an awesome jam, but how do you feel it holds up when measured against your other material?
Dear Kanye is too specific. The issue isn’t just Kanye, even though he’s a great example, it’s commercialism in hip-hop and the music industry in general. Artistry and commercialism react with each other in much the same way church and state do. In my other work, I’m always looking for the bigger, over-arching expression, not anyone one person or thing.

Since you’re current “beef” with Mr. West has spawned some buzz for you across the blogosphere (and everywhere else), do you have any advice for aspiring not-quite-hip-hop-related feud-founders?
I wrote a letter to folks that Backseat Sandbar posted that addresses some of these thoughts. But, in the end, it’s not about a feud, it’s about defending what you love.

You play the most rock and roll instrument around — the cello — and do it quite well. What other instruments can you shred on?
Cello is my main ax these days. I used to play much more guitar and bass. If anything, I also love to play the mandolin.

If you could learn to play any instrument you don’t already play, what would it be and why? My bet is the kazoo, but then again, you might know how play that already.
Bass clarinet. Love that shit!

Drummers throw their sticks into the crowd, guitarists throw picks, vocalists throw feces (only occasionally, though), etc. Have you ever thought about being theatrical by throwing your bow out into a screaming crowd of groupies and teenyboppers?
You know much about bows? There sort of kinda expensive. I’ve never thought throwing stuff at the audience was a good way to get their attention anyhow…

So you’re from Kentucky. How has this lovely state influenced your music and your outlook on life?
The hills, the ever changing weather, and it’s natural wealth teaches me to always pursue what I love and that that love is not bound by anyone other than me.

Speaking of the Commonwealth, did you watch/attend the UK/UofL football game? What’d you think of the sound thrashing that the Wildcats handed the Cards?
I haven’t made any brain-space for sports this year other than the olympics and that barely got in there. That being said, I love certain sports: gymnastics, badminton, and so on. Did you know that Gene Kelly had a TV show back in the day called Dance: A Man’s Sport…?

More Kentucky stuff. If you were to leave Louisville move to some other city of your choice, where would it be?
I love Louisville, Wouldn’t leave if I didn’t have to. Maybe Austin, TX? Portland, OR?

Other things you want to mention/discuss/push?
VOTE! Promise yourself to make it happen.

Ben Sollee - Dear Kanye

2 Responses to “Interview: Ben Sollee”

1. On 09/4/08 7:28 AM, Jay DiNitto said:

   

   Vote in what?

2. On 09/4/08 12:44 PM, Sean Cannon said:

   

   everything, i would guess. so be sure to tell simon, paula and randy who you love for idol and for the white house.

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