7. We need to know a little about your personality. Do you consider yourself shy or out going? Independent? Are you a loner type? Are you comfortable dealing with a lot of people? What are you like when you are mad? How do you think your friends would describe you?
I’m an odd amalgam of each of those things. I just moved to Chicago and have had to go out and find folks to hang out with – I knew three people when I got here. At the same time, though, I’m as likely to sit in my room for two days and read a book as I am to goto shows.
I taught kids for a few years, so interacting with a large group of people, assigning tasks and the like is more than familiar to me.
Mad? If I am, I’ll tell you. Being straightforward is the easiest way to reconcile any situation. You might not want to hear it, but if there’s a problem of some sort – whether it’s in regards to the mag or the living situation – I have no problem voicing my opinion. Ideally, the other person in this scenario is open to not only hearing me out, but also explaining his or her point of view.
My friend’s description of me: Opinionated.
8. Describe your organizational skills and experience in that regard. How detail-oriented are you?
I’ve not ever missed a deadline, been late to some random appointment or missed a class. Ever. Seriously. I could tell you an embarrassing childhood experience that’s resulted in my being this way, but let us save that and see if I make it to the next round.
Any task that I have, I break it down into as many parts as possible. It makes each seem much more manageable, regardless of whether or not it actually is. Sitting down to do a few of (or a buncha) those tasks, for me, becomes immediately more manageable. And with a few folks to work with, that would make it run all the more smoothly.
Currently, I’m balancing grad school and freelancing. Either would be hectic, but both is almost overwhelming. Almost. I understand that MRR wouldn’t supplant my income, but without having to worry about rent, I’d have an easy go of pay bills and the like. 30-60 hours doesn’t seem like anything beyond what I’m doing now.
9. Describe your musical tastes. What bands do you like and which genres/styles are your favorites—and which ones you dislike the most—and why.
I grew up on punk – and some EBHC. But I’m gonna say that ‘70s style punk stuff and garage make up as much of my listening as anything else related to rock. It’s simple, visceral and still feels like a secret language I can speak to other, various weirdoes.
Late ‘60s jazz (Pharaoh Sanders, who I saw at Yoshi’s, is a favorite), country blues, psych all get some rotation. Music that’s gutsy gets me. Even if the folks playing aren’t adept at whatever instrument they’re wielding as long as a passion is related to my ears, I can at least understand it.
I stay away from techno or house (it sounds like cocaine, which is a difficult thing to do, but not entertaining) – although IDM is a nice refuge every once in a while.
10. Within the punk scene, what individuals or bands do you respect or admire (outside of musically) and why?
I went to school in south-eastern Ohio. There was a band down there called Geraldine which was made up of some locals. Apart from them putting on one of the better live shows I’ve ever witnessed, they were able to create an entire scene sans reliance on the college kids in town. Centered around a bar called the Union, the band and its affiliates ran a booking agency, the club and some DIY venue. The only band left from that cohort is We March, who I believe has been covered in MRR. I don’t think, they’ll gain too much national attention, but they’ve been at it for a decade and still tour constantly. That’s respectable.
11. How do you feel about your hometown (or where you currently live) and what would you think about moving to San Francisco? Why would you consider leaving your town to move to SF?
I actually just moved to Chicago for school. So, my attachment to this place isn’t all that strong. But previously, I lived in Oakland, so yeah, the Bay is to my liking. It’s already started to get pretty cold here at night and who wants to ride bikes in sub-freezing weather?
I referenced this in a previous question, but with all of the information, knowledge and sheer pleasure I got out of MRR it seems right for me to give back.
And yeah, putting school on hold to be a part of MRR is something that I’d do.