DI4LOGUE: 4 Questions for My Roots

Posted on June 8, 2009

BR4DSH4W: WHAT ARE YOU IMPRESSED WITH?
natural beauty. there are all these sublime things that surround us that so many of us take for granted. trees, clouds, grass, birds, a grove of bamboo or a fruit tree. even more grandiose things like human bodies, waterfalls, mountains, rivers and the oceans. man-made objects can’t touch that stuff.

BR4DSH4W: WHERE DO YOU FIND INSPIRATION?
it’s probably what most people say, but i draw most of my creative inspiration from music, films, words and visual art—mostly music. the bass and the drums are really important to me. given just those elements, i can hear worlds of sound happening on top of them.¶ the best way to get my mind going is to watch a film that leaves a lot unspoken, or listen to a piece of music that makes me ask questions about how and why it was created. i tend to prefer things on the experimental or avant garde side, and that’s why, i think. i especially like minimalist pieces of music and art that exist as just structure—shapes, noises, colors and stark images. if you approach something where the interpretation doesn’t really matter, you’re left with a blank slate and you can make it whatever you want. i like to view those things as building blocks.

BR4DSH4W: WHO ARE YOU LISTENING TO?
it changes every week but right now i’m really into modern psychedelic rock. there are some really incredible bands making this heavy, droney, head-nodding music right now. some of my faves are Earthless, Dead Meadow, Wooden Shjips, Deerhunter and Lotus Plaza. i listened to a lot of early Pink Floyd as a kid and i never really grew out of that “pastel wash” cosmic thing. ¶ lately, i’ve also been craving laid back sounds like Little Joy, The Donkeys, Jesse Sykes and John Zorn’s filmworks. ¶ of course, there are always heaps of reggae, soul, jazz, brazilian, and whatever else fighting over the remaining space on my iPod. i carry it everywhere and it’s usually always on shuffle.

BR4DSH4W: HOW DO YOU LIKE TO BEGIN?
as early as possible. plain black coffee or a chai tea with soy milk. it all depends what i did the night before.

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BIOGR4PHY: Michael Calore is a technology writer and musician living in San Francisco. He has been true to his core since we met 23 years ago. His effortless, fun-loving spirit and vividly creative attitude are infectious, and I am fortunate to continue to spend the better part of my life learning and growing as his friend.