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1. Who is your favorite singer/musician? Why?

Tricky. I think I listen to too much music, and I’ve been doing it for too long to be able to answer that. It’s too general. U2 is the greatest band ever, if that answers the question to your satisfaction. And my list of fave dj/producers is extensive.

2. What one singer/musician can you not stand? Why?

Again, I dislike so many singers and musicians and writers and producers for so many reasons. They all have redeeming qualities or I wouldn’t have heard of them, so it’s unfair to make blanket statements.

3. If your favorite singer wasn’t in the music business, do you think you would still like him/her as a person?

Umm. My brain hurts.

4. Have you been to any concerts? If yes, who put on the best show?

The best show I’ve been to… Probably St Germain. A tightly produced show with a large stage band including strings, brass, four percussion sets counting the twin sets of congas and several computers on top of the varied vocal strengths. I SHOULD have been at the Jaxx show, but I was WORKING. Won’t make that mistake again.

5. What are your thoughts on downloading free music online vs. purchasing albums? Do you feel the RIAA is right in its pursuit to stop people from dowloading free music?

If the brick & mortar music industry had been AT ALL on the ball they would have been there fourteen years ago. I’m sure the big five had employees sounding the alarm but corporations that big & entrenched tend to be pretty stupid and slow-moving.

They should have set up online distribution of singles (ALL singles) at 25 cents each. Make it so cheap that it isn’t worth the trouble of downloading them illegally elsewhere.

But they were stupid, and they’ve missed the boat, and now the industry is taking a beating unprecedented in history. Smart artists are working their asses off trying to make the Web work in their favour, and they’re now getting the lion’s share of the profits, where just ten years ago they were happy to make ten percent of sales.

Do I download music? Yep. I don’t have much respect for the music industry. The artists? Sure, many of them. Even Britney and her marketers. But I’m insulted by the industry and a lot of radio out there. It’s a 50 year old institution, where we are doled out inovation and creativity in measured doses to make sure the lables can crank out formulaic bands in enough quantity to squeeze our money out of us. The latin music fad is the perfect example. Not to mention all the Creed-alikes. Let me stress this though: I will buy the cd if I want to support a band, dj, producer, whatever. If you have earned my appreciation I will show you the money with pleasure.