Bowie Sketch from Berry & Fulcher's SNUFF BOX
Matt Berry 2.6.09 - Interview by Amanda Lyn Brass, Supervising Editor: Ron Solomon
PV: Hello Mr. Berry, and thank you so much for contributing to this =POPVIWEWS= interview. May I call you "Matt"?
MB: You may indeed call me Matt if i can call you Amanda
PV: First I'd like to say "Congratulations" on the upcoming release of "Witchazel". I've heard clips from the advert you posted. How has your musical point of view changed from 1995's "Jackpot" to 2005's "Opium" to this year's "Witchazel"?
MB: umm, no. my musical point of view has remained the same since i started to write songs and make music at around 13 or 14 yrs. the point of view being formed from someone who couldn’t read music and so luckily gave everything a go. i think if i had had guitar or piano lessons i would not be still playing now
PV: You've always been very cool about letting fans enjoy your music from your website. What's your take on the "online music is stealing from artists" argument?
MB: i think its up to the individual artist and how precious he or she is. i've always felt that if you want to make music for people to enjoy then find the best way to get it out to as many people as possible i've never been too hung up on the money side of things because i know i'd be doing it for my own amusement anyway.
PV: One could argue that audiences are accustomed to seeing you as a comedic performer Matt, but is music your first love?
MB: i certainly love to talk about music rather than comedy. apart from maybe chaplin, i'm not too interested in the history or the workings of comedy, though, if i just did music i would miss the asshole-ing around with friends that comes with comedy
PV: Do you come from a musical family? What kind of music did you hear around the house growing up?
MB: i do not come from a musical background and that really helped as my parents never forced me to learn anything due to them having no knowledge of the instruments i took up. they always seemed impressed even if i was just tuning a guitar, christ love 'em
PV: If I were to get into your car right now and turn on the stereo what would I find playing on your iPod? Any guilty pleasures you'd like to unburden yourself here in this interview?
MB: if you got into my car then you would either be giving it to me as a present or you have the power of time travel. what i'm trying to say is that i can't drive but as for the ipod i have the original 1973 german cast of jesus christ superstar on there and some crowded house. i pray i never leave my ipod with someone after i had just been listening to crowded house.
PV: I absolutely adored your re-tooled version of "Get Here in Time" with Geno Washington. Tell us about discovering Geno's sound and what was your experience with him in the studio? (Did he try to hypnotize you? Just kidding...)
MB: I love motown and geno's voice in particular. we shared the same agent for a time and i figured you couldn’t look a gift horse in the mouth and what a mouth. he would hypnotize me if he could, yeah, but i try not to stand still for long so he's got his work cut out
PV: In live performances you often pay a wonderful homage to the late great Ronnie Hazelhurst. You've also shown a talent for composing theme tunes Matt. Will you favor us with your opinion of what the magic behind theme tunes is (when done correctly)?
MB: i don't know. maybe the thing is to keep it (theme) simple and make sure its in tune with the show itself. got to be memorable otherwise you are pissing in the wind
PV: Being a dirty American, I am unable to attend any of your live shows. I did however; live vicariously through Youtube to get a feel. What do you love MOST about touring? What you miss least about it?
MB: i miss the gigs themselves, as they seem to be over before I’ve noticed most of the time. i don't miss the whole setting up/sound check part, i find that gum bleedingly dull
PV: What would you say is lacking in today's singer/songwriters? What advice, if any, would you give young fans trying to break into the music or comedy industry?
MB: umm. just do what makes you laugh. if you feel you should perform something that isn't funny because it may lead to something then the chances are it wont. but i really am no expert
PV: Matt, let's go nuts. Is there anyone you'd bring back from the dead to collaborate with musically? Is there a living, breathing talent yet on this earth that you are equally eager to work with in the future? (Sophie Ellis-Bextor notwithstanding)
MB: alive-iggy pop, dead-roy orbison
PV: Here's a classic musical ice-breaker: "Your first concert - who was it?" (There's no shame in answering honestly)
MB: jean michel jarre 1988 docklands, london (which interestingly is where i now live)
PV: Your "Snuff Box" clip of "How to Play the Guitar" has graced my Facebook video postings for over a year now and I may have accidentally learned something from watching the 'instructional video'. Do you harbor some kind of resentment toward 'learn at home' DVD's Matt? Is there a personal story in there somewhere?
MB: no i don't think i've ever watched one. i just liked the idea of someone buying one, putting it on and discovering that the teacher on the dvd was the devil, or worse!
PV: Did moving from the London Dungeon to the television studio seem like a welcome transition to you at that time in your life? Was the workload and change of pace better or worse than you had expected?
MB: great question. it could not have come at a better time. i had been temping for nearly ten years when i got darkplace and i can tell you that i could not have continued scaring children as job without there being a repercussion.
PV: With the seemingly relentless stream of crossover shows coming into the States it seems the Americans rely upon the British for comedic inspiration. What do you look to when you need inspiration? Can you cite specific performers that influenced your style?
MB: i'm not really interested in comics, i think most of my inspiration comes from the people i know who have no sense of humor, certainly not other comics.
PV: Your biblical rock opera "AD/BC" was a twist on the oldest Christmas story around - complete with playful vintage flavor (and I want to thank you personally for creating it). How did you find the writing process for such an undertaking - as opposed to *only* writing or *only* composing? Could you be convinced to write another project like that again?
MB: it was a labour of love as there was no money and i recorded most of the music in my flat on my own, but id do it again in a heartbeat
PV: Who would win in a street fight, Rich Fulcher or You?
MB: fulcher would never get involved in anything like that so i would end up fighting with myself which i do most of the time anyway
PV: When was the last time you laughed until you cried?
MB: the mattress man video (youtube) i think
PV: When Matt Berry is no more, what would you like your legacy to be?
MB: go with your guts because your brain will talk you out if it
PV: Steve Agee wants me to let you know that "DENNY'S" misses your business. Convince me to return to that elephant's graveyard of taste by suggesting your favorite meal there.
MB: moons over my-hammy of course. tell steve agee to get his will witnessed
PV: You've been very gracious with my (alleged) line of questioning Matt. =POPVIEWS= thanks you. Next time you're in Southern California will you let me buy you a pint?
MB: if you don’t ill kill you
PV: Thanks so much for being with us, Matt!
Stay tuned to myspace.com/mattberrysmusic for all updates on Matt and his ventures.
The man is a genius and a gem! A true tresure!
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