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There are very few times in a “music writer’s” life that you get to interview someone you’re an uber-fan of. Once I interviewed Drowning Pool and questioned why I ever listened to music. When a chance moment comes, you brag to your friends and let everyone know how superior you are to them. Last month, I had the opportunity to talk to Raine Maida, the lead singer of Our Lady Peace, about his first solo album, the upcoming OLP record, and various other whatevers. I own all of Our Lady Peace’s records, so excuse my utter fandom.
You’re arguably one of the best songwriters in music today. What is the writing process like for you?
That’s quite a compliment. I’ll happily give you the option of revoking that statement at any time. Writing usually starts with my little old vintage Martin acoustic and something to say. Chords develop under melodies and stream of conscious lyrics expose themselves.
How does your solo album differ from an Our Lady Peace record?
The writing process is the biggest difference. I began with poems and spoken word pieces first. Then I programmed beats and didn’t figure out chord structures until the end. My solo record is much more beat/word driven than OLP. The lyrics also have more depth because the phrasing is quicker whereby I was able to tell stories more completely. I was influenced by everyone from Leonard Cohen to Sage Francis on this solo record.
I read somewhere that the next Our Lady Peace record is quite different than your past work. Can you explain why?
The new OLP is different in the sense of we have taken the same approach to recording as I did on The Hunters Lullaby. We write and record songs the same day. We’ve learned not to be so precious about ideas. So far the music is much more orchestrated and harder sounding. We’re trying to take the best aspects of our last records, find the true essence of this band, and make what could potentially be our strongest record to date. And if that statement doesn’t set us up to fail I don’t know what could.
Can you tell people what War Child is and a little about your involvement with it?
War Child is a nonprofit charity that focuses on children in conflict regions around the globe. They are pioneers in developing programs and working with the local communities in their projects. I have witnessed the dedication and experience first during my trips to Darfur and Iraq with War Child. Nothing short of humbling.
You’re married to Chantal Kreviazuk, another accomplished musician. What’s the trick for keeping a lasting relationship in the public eye?
Stay out if it. We generally do try and keep our private lives private. Life in the entertainment world has become harrowingly pathetic. Commerce has completely devoured art, and the only thing you can do to preserve anything sincere and worthwhile is to avoid reality.
Even though you’ve had so much success in your own band, what makes producing other acts so fulfilling?
I dig the process of helping another artist or band find what’s distinct about them. I’ve come to respect most situations as far as writing and producing go. You can learn just as much from the bad ones as you can from the good, as painful as it can be sometimes.
On your Myspace page, you state that you’re “hopelessly misunderstood.” Can you explain what that means?
I feel like I’m a walking contradiction. I’m a pragmatist living inside an idealists’ mind.
Why is spoken word and poetry so important to you?
I think it is without question the most relevant art form right now. It hearkens back to what the beat poets achieved. The reality they portray through their words bites and grabs you. There’s no bullshit, just truth and anger and love and beauty.
If you had only one thing to say to people to get them out of their apathy or depression or whatever else they’re dealing with, what would you say?
Check out Anis Mojgani on Youtube. His spoken word piece from Def Poets titled “for those of us still afraid to ride in airplanes” pretty much sums up the state of mankind right now.
i really got into OLP during Happiness Is a Fish…time, but i was not able to get into the album that came out afterwards and stopped keeping up with them.
i’m interested to hear what his solo stuff sounds like.