13 QUESTION METHOD: REEVE CARNEY

Reeve Carney is, I dare say, the next big thing. He plays guitar and piano with grace and soul, sings like an angel in rapture, and writes songs you can’t forget—and don’t want to.

1. Which was the first record you bought with your own money?
Billy Joel's Greatest Hits.

2. Which was the last record you bought with your own money?
Screamin' Jay Hawkins — Cow Fingers and Mosquito Pie.

3. What was the first solo you learned from a record — and can you still play it?
I think it must have been the solo from Radiohead's "High and Dry," off The Bends. Yes, I can still play it — all five notes!

4. Which recording of your own (or as a sideman) are you most proud of, and why?
I have a song called "Mr. Green" and I love the way it turned out on record. I am most proud of it because we — my band and I — tracked the entire thing live, including the vocals, and I actually ended up liking it! There's such a chemistry between the band members, which comes across on the recording. We caught a moment.

5. What's the difference between playing live and playing in a studio?
Playing live, you can fool people into buying your act a bit easier! However, I think one of the mistakes made by many people today is removing live performance from the studio. The energy of a live performance is that much more vital to a studio performance. There's nothing to latch onto visually, so the degree of communication relies completely on the performance.

6. What's the difference between a good gig and a bad gig?
I feel I've had a "good gig" when something new has happened — when there is new life. It really all starts with tone for me. If I have a guitar or vocal tone that I enjoy listening to, I can escape to that realm that is sort of free from time and space. That's really when the organism begins to breath. Music should be like breathing. When there are no tone issues, I can begin to communicate a lyric which to me is the most penetrating element to a song. A "bad gig" is simply when you are not free.

7. What's the difference between a good guitar and a bad guitar?
A "good" guitar is one that inspires, for whatever reason. A "bad" guitar is one that keeps you aware that it is a guitar, as opposed to a voice.

8. You play electric and acoustic. Do you approach the two differently?
Yes, in some ways, but I have to approach every guitar in a different way. They all have different personalities and different limitations.

9. Do you sound more like yourself on acoustic or electric?
I think I sound more like myself on acoustic at the moment, but that always can change from time to time — and always has.

10. Do you sound like yourself on other people's guitars?
Basically. But, again, each guitar has a personality, and some are stronger than others. Certain guitars take you different places. I love when a guitar makes me sound like Albert [King] or B.B. [King].

11. Which living artist (music, or other arts) would you like to collaborate with?
Paul McCartney. He's my favorite. I would also love to do something with Fiona Apple or Norah Jones. Such amazing voices.

12. What dead artist (music, or other arts) would you like to have collaborated with?
Walt Disney.

13. What's your latest project about?
I guess it's just my band.

Web site: http://www.myspace.com/reevecarney/