1) Tell us a little bit about yourself and your musical background.
I’ve been playing cello since I was nine. I’ve always loved classical and rock music equally, and started playing cello (along with guitar) in bands in high school. In college, I studied classical cello while playing with Boston indie-rock band Betwixt on the side. We recorded two albums and toured a bit — it was a fun time. After Betwixt disbanded in 2000, I’ve been a mostly freelance cellist, while selling my soul to Corporate America during the day.
2) This is your first solo album. What made you choose to do an album of covers?
When I originally arranged Jawbox songs for cello quartet (a college project in 2000), it was a nod to the amazing Finnish cello quartet Apocalyptica , who started out doing cello versions of Metallica. When I heard about about Cal’s condition last year, I decided that re-recording those Jawbox arrangements as a proper tribute album would be the best way to help. However, I expect that the next recording I make will be mostly originals — and probably more guitar-driven. I miss the excitement of playing in a loud band.
3) $10 from each sale of your album goes toward a fund to benefit Cal Robbins. What can you tell us about the cause and what moved you to get involved?
Aside from the incredibly strong connection to Jawbox’s music and its impact on my adolescence, I was particularly moved by the Robbins’ financial situation in the face of Cal’s diagnosis. J. makes a living doing what a lot of semi-famous musicians end up doing after years of playing in bands — they become producers, helping the next generation craft their art. In the Robbins’ case, J’s production work is their only source of income, and his single-payer health insurance is almost useless in the case of such a debilitating and expensive disease as Spinal Muscular Atrophy. The fact that Cal has been able to make some progress with alternative therapies, and has the best medical equipment available for SMA children is largely due to the enormous outpouring of support from the independent music community. In January ‘08, Cal will be 2 years old — over 50% of children with Type I SMA never make it to their second birthday. However, no matter how much therapy he has, Cal will be confined to a wheelchair for his whole life, and will need expensive medical treatment indefinitely. I am hoping that sales of this album can keep up the community’s awareness of Cal’s plight, and perhaps make a dent toward these future expenses.
4) Who do you look to for inspiration?
My parents, who were always very active with Habitat for Humanity and other causes. Musically, I am inspired by anyone who writes or performs uncompromisingly with their own voice — people who could never be anyone but themselves. That list would include Jawbox (and other DC contemporaries like Fugazi and Shudder to Think), Danish punk band The Ex (who recorded with cellist Tom Cora, incidentally), cellist Pablo Casals, Adam Franklin of Swervedriver, Sonic Youth, and dozens of lesser-known pioneers in my own generation, like Andy Wagner or Shae Kripinsky.
5) Five artists you would sell your soul to collaborate with?
Thurston Moore, Adam Franklin, Jim O’Rourke, Ulrich Schnauss, Radiohead.
