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Thread started 11/19/11 10:34am

kindofblue7

Prince "email interview" with the Toronto Star newspaper

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Reply #1 posted 11/19/11 10:44am

purplethunder3
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Prince proves 2 B a class act

Published On Sat Nov 19 2011
  • Prince on his dogged tour.

Prince on his dogged tour.

Ben RaynerPop Music Critic

Prince Rogers Nelson isn’t known for being terribly generous with his time to the press, so when the opportunity came up to do an email interview with the man in advance of his Air Canada Centre dates this coming Friday and Saturday we were a little skeptical that we’d ever hear anything back.

As it turns out, though, Prince is as punctual as he is prolific. And not without a sense of humour, either. I was worried he’d turn up his nose at my lame questions and hit delete, so I prefaced them with a note apologizing for the fact that I’m a terrible interviewer and hoping that he would at least find them “reasonably intelligent.” The answers came back addressed to the “Reasonably Intelligent Interviewer.” Sharing a giggle with Prince? Who knew it was possible.

The exchange that follows is unedited (well, except for all the questions he ignored), with the Purple One’s responses preserved in their original, Prince-ly glory.

The “Welcome 2 Canada” leg of your current, rather marathon tour is pretty extensive, touching down in spots such as London and Saskatoon and Halifax that an artist of your stature might not normally be expected to hit. How long has it been since you dug in and hit this many ports of call in the Great White North? Did anything in particular motivate this spirit of diligent inclusivity?


AS U KNOW THE HEAD OF LIVE NATION, MIKE RAPINO, IS ORIGINALLY FROM THUNDER BAY, CANADA. WE ALWAYS PROMISED 2 COME 2 HIS HOMETOWN 2 DO SOMETHING HISTORIC. THIS BAND IS A WELL-OILED MACHINE NOW. IT’S A PERFECT MIX OF MUSICIANS 2 WRECK HOUSE IN ALL OF CANADA.

I’ve read in a couple of places that you and the band rehearsed something like 300 songs for this tour. Is that media hyperbole or are you cats really that pathological when it comes to preparedness?


30 YEARS IN THE BUSINESS GIVES U A LOT 2 WORK WITH. WE R VERY DISCIPLINED. THIS IS THE MOUNTAIN TOP. THERE IS NOTHING “PATHOLOGICAL” ABOUT IT. DOING A RESIDENCY IN ANY PARTICULAR CITY REQUIRES A LARGE REPERTOIRE TO ENSURE REPEAT BUSINESS. MOST OF THE AUDIENCE HAVE BEEN 2 MULTIPLE SHOWS IN THEIR LIFETIME. IT IS TRULY A BLESSING.

Speaking of, what can we expect from the set list on these dates? And how do you decide what goes in or out of the mix on a nightly basis when you’re working with a catalogue that deep?


EACH AUDIENCE IS DIFFERENT. WHAT THEY RESPOND 2 MOST FAVORABLY USUALLY DICTATES THE FLOW OF THE CONCERT AND THE CHOICE OF THE MATERIAL. ALSO THE SOUND QUALITY AND THE ENERGY OF THE BAND. U CAN ALWAYS TELL WHEN THE GROOVE IS WORKING OR NOT.

You stated recently that you won’t be recording — or, at least, releasing — any new material until the online distribution of music is properly regulated. Do you plan on holding yourself to that statement?


NO. I HAVE A WRITING ADDICTION. THAT SAID, IT WOULD B GREAT 2 C THE GOVERNMENT GET INVOLVED 2 INVESTIGATE THE COLLUSION AND RACKETEERING ASPECT OF THE MUSIC INDUSTRY. THE WHOLE NATION WOULD BENEFIT GREATLY FROM A MORE SECURE DISTRIBUTION SYSTEM.

Considering that you were among the first recording artists of your profile to experiment and champion alternative means of distribution — including selling your music directly to fans online — this change in attitude stands as a pretty serious about-face. What, exactly, prompted you to reconsider the way you put your records out there?


THIS BREAK FROM RECORDING IS AN ATTEMPT 2 CURB THE CREATIVE CRAVING. WE’VE ALREADY HAD A RELAPSE OR 2. THIS BAND IS WAY 2 TALENTED NOT 2 B RECORDED. THEY R A BAD INFLUENCE. smile

Furthermore, if you’re prepared to reject the Internet as a vehicle for releasing records, what alternatives are there? There are, after all, rumours now circulating that the major labels are about to abandon CDs as a format altogether.


WE R VERY INTERESTED IN THE WAY NEW WORKS WERE DISTRIBUTED B4 THE ADVENT OF RECORDED MUSIC. WHEN U R IN THE MUSICAL DRIVERS SEAT, IT AFFORDS U A DIFFERENT PERSPECTIVE. THE OPTIONS R ENDLESS.

I love this quotation because I’m not a fan of MP3s and “compression” and their overall effect on fidelity: “I personally can’t stand digital music. You’re getting sound in bits. It affects a different place in your brain. When you play it back, you can’t feel anything. We’re analogue people, not digital.” Would you care to elaborate a bit? I’m worried that if CDs are abandoned, the lion’s share of music is now going to be available in a form that doesn’t value decent sound quality.


WE LISTEN 2 24-BIT FILES OF R CURRENT WORK. ON THE OTHER HAND WE LOVE VINYL. ONE JUST NEEDS 2 STUDY THE FACT THAT MUSIC SEEMS 2 SOUND BEST WHEN THERE IS SOME “REVOLUTION” INVOLVED.

As someone whose career is shackled to the troubled newspaper industry, I must ask: what was behind your decision to distribute a couple of your recent records as giveaways affixed to European dailies?


SO MUCH 4 REASONABLE INTELLIGENCE. LOL!! (KIDDING)

"Music gives a soul to the universe, wings to the mind, flight to the imagination and life to everything." --Plato

https://youtu.be/CVwv9LZMah0
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Reply #2 posted 11/19/11 10:48am

NuPwrSoul

Some interesting word & punctuation choice in this quote:

ONE JUST NEEDS 2 STUDY THE FACT THAT MUSIC SEEMS 2 SOUND BEST WHEN THERE IS SOME “REVOLUTION” INVOLVED.

"That...magic, the start of something revolutionary-the Minneapolis Sound, we should cherish it and not punish prince for not being able to replicate it."-Dreamshaman32
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Reply #3 posted 11/19/11 10:50am

uuhson

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i read this as him yelling into his computer, it was very uncomfortable

Bogey and Bacall, peanut butter and jelly, Wall being on fucking point, is "classic" dipshit. An iphone is top shelf technology. Get it straight. This thing is 4g. -Wall the great
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Reply #4 posted 11/19/11 10:57am

unique

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[img:$uid]http://www.wowace.com/media/images/11/910/capslock.jpg[/img:$uid]

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Reply #5 posted 11/19/11 10:59am

HonestMan13

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Thanks for posting. Very cool read! cool

When eye go 2 a Prince concert or related event it's all heart up in the house but when eye log onto this site and the miasma of bitchiness is completely overwhelming!
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Reply #6 posted 11/19/11 10:59am

Trickology

uuhson said:

i read this as him yelling into his computer, it was very uncomfortable

Now we can find him on Prince.org, he can't help but type in caps. :puts on infared glasses: cool "We gonna find you" Antoine Dodson lol

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Reply #7 posted 11/19/11 11:06am

xLiberiangirl

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unique said:

[img:$uid]http://www.wowace.com/media/images/11/910/capslock.jpg[/img:$uid]

falloff

I love him. lol lol

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Reply #8 posted 11/19/11 11:22am

Whatsinit4me

  • Prince on his dogged tour.

wildsign

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Reply #9 posted 11/19/11 11:35am

muirdo

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I know i'm going to get shot down in flames here, but to me that read like someone trying to fool people into thinking they were Prince.

Fuck the funk - it's time to ditch the worn-out Vegas horns fills, pick up the geee-tar and finally ROCK THE MUTHA-FUCKER!! He hinted at this on Chaos, now it's time to step up and fully DELIVER!!
woot!
KrystleEyes 22/03/05
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Reply #10 posted 11/19/11 11:37am

Whatsinit4me

muirdo said:

I know i'm going to get shot down in flames here, but to me that read like someone trying to fool people into thinking they were Prince.

What's Prince's e-mail address? lol

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Reply #11 posted 11/19/11 11:37am

unique

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muirdo said:

I know i'm going to get shot down in flames here, but to me that read like someone trying to fool people into thinking they were Prince.

NO IT'S NOT. IT IS THE REAL PRINCE.

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Reply #12 posted 11/19/11 11:38am

unique

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Whatsinit4me said:

muirdo said:

I know i'm going to get shot down in flames here, but to me that read like someone trying to fool people into thinking they were Prince.

What's Prince's e-mail address? lol

prince69@hotmail.com

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Reply #13 posted 11/19/11 11:41am

Whatsinit4me

unique said:

Whatsinit4me said:

What's Prince's e-mail address? lol

prince69@hotmail.com

eek ...........typing

..........crash

...........................................lol ..................cool

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Reply #14 posted 11/19/11 11:43am

NouveauDance

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Talkin' loud, sayin' nothin', indeed.

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Reply #15 posted 11/19/11 11:50am

xLiberiangirl

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unique said:

Whatsinit4me said:

What's Prince's e-mail address? lol

prince69@hotmail.com

Ok. thanks gonna send him an e-mail. cool

lol lol lol lol

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Reply #16 posted 11/19/11 11:53am

purplemonster0
4

All I got out of that interview is the fact that Prince types like an angry teenager.

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Reply #17 posted 11/19/11 12:12pm

purplethunder3
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NouveauDance said:

Talkin' loud, sayin' nothin', indeed.

You beat me to it. lol

"Music gives a soul to the universe, wings to the mind, flight to the imagination and life to everything." --Plato

https://youtu.be/CVwv9LZMah0
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Reply #18 posted 11/19/11 12:26pm

novabrkr

Typing in "all caps" makes it seem like he really did quit using the internet years ago.

At least we know now that he has been writing and recording new material or at least intends to do that.

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Reply #19 posted 11/19/11 12:32pm

Militant

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moderator

NuPwrSoul said:

Some interesting word & punctuation choice in this quote:

ONE JUST NEEDS 2 STUDY THE FACT THAT MUSIC SEEMS 2 SOUND BEST WHEN THERE IS SOME “REVOLUTION” INVOLVED.

Was just about to say the same thing. Dropping a hint?

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Reply #20 posted 11/19/11 12:39pm

XxAxX

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nah, all caps is just fastest. it's neat reading something that prince himself actually typed, instead of some music critic's interpretation of his words.

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Reply #21 posted 11/19/11 1:17pm

RubyButterfly

"You stated recently that you won’t be recording — or, at least, releasing — any new material until the online distribution of music is properly regulated. Do you plan on holding yourself to that statement?


NO. I HAVE A WRITING ADDICTION. THAT SAID, IT WOULD B GREAT 2 C THE GOVERNMENT GET INVOLVED 2 INVESTIGATE THE COLLUSION AND RACKETEERING ASPECT OF THE MUSIC INDUSTRY. THE WHOLE NATION WOULD BENEFIT GREATLY FROM A MORE SECURE DISTRIBUTION SYSTEM."

Wow, he typed "I", instead of "eye". Guess he forgot himself for a minute.

I'd love to see a list of the questions he didn't answer.

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Reply #22 posted 11/19/11 1:29pm

Whatsinit4me

I have always wanted to know if Prince prefers to write in print or cursive.

Or what his notes look like.

I hope he continues with his addiction in writing.

The government has to do something about this piracy. cool

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Reply #23 posted 11/19/11 1:34pm

IamFunkay7

eek Prince Lol'd lol That might have been Andy (LOL KIDDING, NOT REALLY lurking) but other than that, love how playful he is nod

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Reply #24 posted 11/19/11 1:40pm

Whatsinit4me

stirthepot ...........

Prince: "Andy, you're fired!" evillol

eek ...............lol

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Reply #25 posted 11/19/11 2:20pm

babyjubilation

lol at the ALL-CAPS!!!!!

I love reading this he sounds soo down to earth...But I knew he was cool

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Reply #26 posted 11/19/11 2:36pm

matthewgrant

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hmmm

12/05/2011guitar
P*$$y so bad, if u throw it into da air, it would turn into sunshine!!! whistle
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Reply #27 posted 11/19/11 2:40pm

Whatsinit4me

I guess Prince is the one to get away w/it.

All caps .............uzi

Prince: "I can reload!"

lol ..........got 2 give it up 2 Prince though, all those grammys & the Oscar 2. wildsign

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Reply #28 posted 11/19/11 2:49pm

IamFunkay7

Whatsinit4me said:

stirthepot ...........

Prince: "Andy, you're fired!" evillol

eek ...............lol

lol he lol'd shocked

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Reply #29 posted 11/19/11 2:50pm

Whatsinit4me

IamFunkay7 said:

Whatsinit4me said:

stirthepot ...........

Prince: "Andy, you're fired!" evillol

eek ...............lol

lol he lol'd shocked

jet

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