(Editor’s Note: What follows is part one of the full transcript from an interview I recently conducted with ex-Nocturnals bassist — and occasional Solid State contributor — Bryan Dondero, concerning his recent decision to leave the band. Excerpts of the interview appeared in today’s music section (3/25). Part two will appear on Solid State tomorrow. -DB)
SEVEN DAYS: So, what the hell happened?
BRYAN DONDERO: (Chuckling) It’s hard to digest what happened. I think in some ways I saw it coming. In other ways I feel like I was completely blindsided.
SD: Then this wasn’t an amicable split?
BD: Not necessarily. But when is a split ever amicable? Anybody who says they split amicably is full of shit. It’s never easy. It’s never, “Oh, this was was the best thing that could have happened!” Bullshit. I’ve been thinking about that word “severance” a lot lately. I like that word, to “sever.” And that’s kind of how it feels.
I felt like I was put in a position where I was basically being forced to make a choice. And that’s what I wrote on my website. I don’t know if you saw that quote. One thing I’ve learned is that it’s better to make a choice and make the wrong choice than to not choose and face the consequences of not choosing. That’s worse.
SD: Are you worried you might have made the wrong choice by quitting?
BD: I hate using that word too. It’s not quitting. It’s withdrawing. It’s leaving.
I started taking Aikido recently, and I’ve realized that withdrawing is not quitting. You know what I mean? It’s a different thing. Literally the last class I was taking we doing some bokken work, the wooden sword. And the instructor was showing this maneuver that he’s . . . you’ll have to pardon me. I’ll have to show you visually. (Stands) He was standing, and as the person was attacking him with the sword, he’s doing this. (Steps back with his right leg, turning his torso) So he’s withdrawing. He’s moving out of the way of the sword so that it sweeps here (motions across his midsection). And this hip (pointing to his left hip) is going forward. So he looks like he’s withdrawing, but his front hip is moving this way (toward the attacker). It was cool. I mean, he’s like a magic Jedi, so he can hold sword here (at his hip) and then he just let his hands go and his body was holding the sword into his opponent’s body. So . . . that’s kind of how I feel right now (laughing). I feel like I’m doing that kind of maneuver. I’m not running and ducking. I’m not coming at anybody with a big hammer to beat the shit out of them. I’m kind of just doing that, which is sort of how it feels right now.
Got something to say?
Send a letter to the editor and we'll publish your feedback in print!
Good stuff.
“In my mind a lot of the enemy is that people decided that they’re going to stop paying for music.”This cannot be restated often enough.
Thanks. Now let’s talk about that studio! 8*O
THANK YOU BRYAN! well said brother…well said.
Wow. You guys are awesome. Bryan, I wish I’d gotten to know you in Burlington. What you said about artist royalties is spot on. I’m working on a set of industry principles right now that advocates for direct payment, with a limited three year term from publication of an album during which the label can recoup. And that’s only if the artist decided to (temporarily) assign those earnings to the record company in exchange for extra “promotional consideration.” So, even if the label owns the sound copyright by contract, any revenue collected for uses of the artist’s work must be shared equitably with the artist. Meaning, they get their payment directly from a PRO, just like a songwriter does (or like the performance right for satellite radio and webcasting). Labels have been screwing artists on mechanicals since the seas were cooling. This stuff gets even more important as we transition to new models for access and delivery of music. We can’t replicate the flawed structures of the old industry in the new platforms. PS: I also agree with you and Raph about consumers and “free.” it’s a bit more complex than that, and there are currently a lot of different discussions about how to monetize digital content in a way that recognizes the new methods of consumption. Not gonna get into that here, tho. Anyway, thanks for the great read and best of luck. Maybe we can all grab a beer next time I’m in town. Soon, I hope!
Bryan should write a book on the music industry.