| Question: | First of all, I really love the song, "California", As a kid living in the midwest, California always had a magical quality about it, that when I finally got out there, it didn't let me down. Tell me about writing that song and what it means to you |
| Answer: | Thank you. I had that crazy synthesizer figure and the basic groove recorded as a demo for a long time... and to be honest, I had a hard time landing on a lyrical concept that really worked for it. It took awhile. At its core, I suppose the song is about having a connection to, and love and respect for, the land where you are---whether it's California, Michigan, Samoa, Greenland, or wherever. It's a special treat that Jackson Browne---a kind of quintessential Southern Californian---was kind enough to sing on it. His vocal adds meaning and depth to the words of the chorus, and enhances the experience of the song. |
| Question: | We have a big "purple" following on our station and they would be really interested in telling us what it was like working with Dr. Fink, so, What was it like working with the good doctor? |
| Answer: | Dr. Fink has long been one of my favorite musicians, so it's a real honor to now call him a good friend and musical associate. His skills and level of experience make him literally ready for anything you throw at him, musically, and that is tremendously attractive to me as a writer and bandleader. Considering what a bad-ass as he is, he's also remarkably humble and easy to work with. I'm looking forward to performing with him here in San Francisco on October 6th. |
| Question: | If PC Munoz was teaching Musicology 101 at a major university, what 5 albums would you require your students to listen to? |
| Answer: | Dude... this is a very difficult question! I will assume we are talking about a "pop music/pop songwriting" continuum here, 'cause 5 albums to represent the whole of music would be impossible for me!
|
| Question: | What CD's are you currently listening to? |
| Answer: | Let's see... I'm listening to "Shine Ball" by Bill Carrothers, who's a great jazz/avant-garde pianist, and Dylan's newest, "Modern Times". Also, "Ikon of Light" by the composer John Tavener, who writes these quiet, ambient, liturgical pieces, and a great compilation of songs by the amazing big-band arranger Esquivel...it's called "The Genius of Esquivel"."Dear Heather" by Leonard Cohen (I'm a real latecomer to Cohen, though people have been recommending him to me and comparing me to him for years), Aretha's fine live gospel record, "Amazing Grace", and Stevie Wonder's "Journey Through the Secret Life of Plants" are also in the player these days. |
| Question: | Who is your favorite cartoon character? |
| Answer: | Cartoons...well, my favorite superhero by far is Supergirl, especially the 70s and early 80s incarnations of her. As far as funny cartoon characters, I'm still pretty partial to Archie and the gang, the kids from Wee Pals, certain obscure Hanna-Barbara characters....and Foghorn Leghorn. Love that dude; he says everything twice. Twice, I say. |
| Question: | Tell me about your current projects, especially "The Singles Series"? |
| Answer: | "the single series" is a series of totally different songs, with different collaborators---released only as single downloads. As much as I love putting together albums with a cohesive sonic and lyrical theme, I'm really enjoying approaching each song as a singular project unto itself. It gives me room to explore different musical styles with different musicians....I love that. I'm also doing a bunch of production work for a great company here in San Francisco called Talking House. I'm currently working with an artist named Bray, who is kinda like Michael Jackson meets the Hives. Cool stuff. |
| Question: | Tell me about the "Funk Mass" project... |
| Answer: | The Funk Mass is a complete Catholic Mass with funk, Latin, Asian, and hip-hop music flavors. The Mass has long been a standard form for composers to deal with...Beethoven, Brubeck...lots of people have created Masses. I guess I am just continuing that tradition in my own way. My personal spirituality, like a lot of 21st century folks, is somewhat complicated--rooted in social-justice oriented Catholicism, but informed by other spiritual traditions and my own rebelliousness. So I suppose that ecumenism comes across in the concept and execution of the Mass as well. It is dedicated to St. Martin de Porres, the only multiracial saint, and the patron of social justice. |
| Question: | What do you think about internet radio and it's future place in the music industry? |
| Answer: | I believe that Internet radio, along with digital delivery systems, are changing not only the way listeners encounter and 'consume' music, but also the way artists conceive of and create music. And I think we are going to see even more drastic transformations for listeners and artists. Personally, I find it very exciting. The major downside, though, is wading through the overwhelming quantity of content. Unforunately, not everything out there is great. Or even good. |
| Question: | Looking at all the different kinds of projects you've done, what is the one that is most "you" and why? |
| Answer: | This is a great question, and a tough one for any artist. Every project I've ever done is "me", really---a document of where I was philosophically, spiritually, and intellectually, when I made it. I do feel a little distance from certain projects because of the growth that has occurred since I made them, but I can't deny that they came from a sincere place. I guess the project that is "most" me---and this may sound a little precious---is the one that is not here yet. 'Cause I'm always changing, growing, evolving, trying to move towards a better version of myself. But--I do feel like the work I'm doing now---on "the single series"-- is the best work I've ever done, especially the newer songs, which I've written but haven't yet recorded. |
| Question: | What do you want the listeners to know about PC Muñoz? either your music or you? |
| Answer: | Well, I'm trying to create work that resonates with people on a deeper level. And I know for a fact that my records are sometimes the kind that "grow" on people over time. So I humbly request that people give my records a second or third spin before putting them up on ebay or something! |
Look for PC Muñoz online at his official website or on myspace! |