Creating Utopia: An Interview With Jason Falkner

Posted in Current Faves, Interviews, Music |

Popshifter: Since pop culture is at such low point, is there anything current—or even not current—that’s inspiring you or making you happy?

Jason Falkner: Whenever I’m asked what I’m into I can never think of anything. Although there is an artist named Banksy who I think is amazing and who’s doing really interesting, culturally-critical work. I think there is a crop of people who all kind of feel the same. There is definitely a bubbling up of complete dissatisfaction with what has happened to pop culture.

Jimmy Page
Photo © Neil Zlozower

I like some new bands that remind me of other things. Like Vampire Weekend. It’s pretty sweet, kind of like early XTC and there’s even some Haircut 100 in there (laughs).

It’s like walking into a record shop. Right when I park my car, it’s like, “I’m gonna get this and this and this.” And then I walk in and it’s like, “What the hell did I want?” And I just (sighs) go over to the Bowie vinyl section again. “Yep, I already have that, already have that.”

Popshifter: (laughs) I’m the same way. What is next for you and what are you working on now?

Jason Falkner: Right now I’m rehearsing and the band is playing a show on July 17. After that, we’re going to Japan to play Fuji Rock. That’s going to be really exciting. It’s a big festival. I’m OK. . . You’re OK has only been out in Japan thus far. When I went there last fall, it was really amazing. They’re not afraid to be fans there. Which is really refreshing because I’m from L.A.—

Popshifter: (cracks up)

Jason Falkner: —where people are afraid to stick their necks out and enjoy something unless everybody is enjoying it. In Japan, they’re fans. There’s a real healthy separation between stage and audience, which I like.

When I was a kid I never thought I could run up and grab Jimmy Page’s guitar. Are you kdding? I couldn’t even get close to those guys. It’s still kinda like that in Japan.

And then I’ll be coming back here and working on another solo record. I’d like to get I’m OK. . . You’re OK on iTunes very soon. The next record will be done by the end of the year and out by the beginning of next year.

Additional Resources:

Bedtime With The Beatles Part 2 is now available on iTunes, Napster, Rhapsody, and Amazon. For more information on Jason, please visit his MySpace page.

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Click to read more from Jason Falkner on. . .

Revisiting The Beatles
Ripoffs and references
That “Power Pop” thing
“It all boils down to Bowie.”
A pre-Internet world
The dumbing down of pop culture
What’s next for Jason

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